In 5230 Aleranus II the Less of Bolden was sentenced to the High Throne. He served at the same time as his brother Anastorin who was elected Patriarch of the Church of Westrun.
The High King's son, Aleranus III, was appointed King-steward of Bolden. Now Aleranus the son was very young, being a man of only 16 years. So it was that he took his father's half-brother (and bastard of his grandfather) as an advisor. Halinard was older by only two years, but had shrewdness that not even Aleranus the father could deny.
Baronet Halinard (his bastardy kept him from higher station) was rewarded with lands near the Mountains of Bolden for his service to the King-steward, and after a time was able to assume temporary control of a second province -- this one on the border of Northrun. Thereafter he began to style himself a Count which caused no little mirth at court.
But from his lands he was able to repel many attacks from Northruners and was eventually given the title of Mark -- an honorarium of precedence which made him equal to a Duke. For his inflexible manner and hard edge he was often called "Iron."
The "Iron Duke" was feared by many in Bolden, even his nephew, the King-steward. As Aleranus the son aged, he found reason to keep his uncle from court. Though Aleranus was a man in body, many said that he never shed the temperament of his boyhood and that it improved little for the twenty years that his father sat the Platinum Throne.
After twenty years, in 5250 Aleranus II abdicated his sentence as High King, and returned to Bolden as its monarch. Dane the Learned of Saklan was sentenced to the High Throne in his place.
Once his father returned to Bolden, Aleranus the son was said to be inconsolable at being relegated. After serving as King-steward for two decades, he could find no comfort in turning to lesser affairs. Then, a fortnight after his return to Bolden, the elder Aleranus suffered a stroke. It left him mute, blind in one eye, and unable to move unassisted. Whereupon, his son, Aleranus III, resumed the role of King-steward. Thus he served until his father's death a few years later. At the age of 40 he was crowned true King of Bolden. Though Aleranus married and produced three sons, it was counted a tragedy that none lived to adulthood.
Meanwhile Dane the Learned prosecuted a war against the Berserkers of Northrun and he took as his military advisor, Halinard, the so-called Iron Duke of Bolden. For there could not be found any who had more experience fighting the barbarians. Halinard rose in estimation and eventually became the High King's Chancellor General.
Dane served his sentence as High King of Westrun for 11 years before he came to an untimely end. In 5261 he choked on his supper after a hunt and he died in the sight of many witnesses.
Then "Iron Duke" Halinard took for himself the title of Steward of the High Throne. This was an unprecedented act, but he had the support of his nephew, the King of Bolden; and support also from Waldron the Steward-king of Collonia (whose royal line was thought extinguished). The King of Menea was a longtime supporter of law and tradition, but was also deeply indebted to the Platinum Throne. He also supported Halinard.
The remaining kings in the North, those of Rath and Saklan, were too preoccupied with their own border conflict to object to Halinard's ambition. The Kingdoms of Treft and Talir were opposed to the presumption of this jumped up baronet, but felt it would be imprudent to act alone. As for the last of the Eight Kingdoms, that of Balduren, it could not be bothered by the politics of Peakshadow. The horse lords care little for titles and think nothing of offices that are held far from their plains -- not even the High Throne.
Year over year the Iron Duke found one reason after another to avoid a Council of Monarch's. He did not convene one until early Winter of 5263 and it was mired in controversy. At the council Halinard was excluded, for only the monarchs of the Eight Kingdoms and their knights may attend the council which elects the High King.
Sources reveal that for eleven days, the King of Treft had objected to those who moved that Halinard be made High King. He insisted that only a reigning monarch could be elected to the High Throne. Debate waged and sages were consulted, for some held that Fergus the First was not a king, but only a scion of his house when first elevated. Others rejoined that Fergus had been made High King by right of conquest, whereas Halinard had only ever engaged the enemies of Westrun.
Treft had Talir and Balduren (who reportedly would have elected his roast mutton if it meant he could return to his own keep) on his side, and over the course of many arguments had swayed Saklan and Rath to his cause.
But then the Council of Monarchs was interrupted. For it came to light, with irrefutable proofs, that Aleranus III, monarch of Bolden had poisoned his own father many years before. He had done so to become the King and for the crime of fratricide, a loyal knight of his own House (and one-time squire to Aleranus the father) rose up and slew him in the sight of all gathered. In turn, the king-slaying knight himself was cut down by the blades of many others.
But, as Aleranus had perished with no heir; and as Halinard, with no taint of bastardy upon him, was now the sole heir of his brothers House, he became the King of Bolden. As the King of Bolden he insisted upon his right to attend the Council of Monarchs and had the door removed to permit his entry. Once inside the chamber he ably defended his eligibility to sit upon the Platinum Throne. Therefore, Treft withdrew his objection and Halinard was ratified by unanimous vote of the Eight Kings.
Halinard was therefore sentenced to the High Throne in 5264.
He was married in 5265 to Brianna of House Fieldstone and produced five daughters. She was a frail woman and one who could not withstand the cruelties sometimes visited by severe men. She perished in 5273 while giving birth.
In 5274 he was married again, this time to Tirese of House Waldron who produced for him three daughters -- the last one being a simpleton. She was keenly aware of her inability to provide Halinard an heir and by most accounts suffered from melancholy. It is believed that she threw herself from the balcony of her drawing room.
Halinard was thus able to be married a third time and did so in 5280. This time to Joana Tarnblen, a lass whose youth was hoped would produce an heir. He produced both a daughter and a son.
Halinard remains the High King to this very day.
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