David I of Cattala

King David I of House Celestine was the fifth King of Cattala, as the great-great-grandson of the monarchy's founder, King Roger Celestine. King David was the first King to institute social and economic reforms and the first King to have previously served as Chancellor.

David remains one of the longest reigning monarchs in national history, ruling for 49 years. His controversial marriage to second cousin Lady Marie Celestine caused tension and rifts in the family.

Early Life
David had a distant relationship from his father,King Roger II. Whilst the King was warring in the east, David and his mother, Queen Alexandra of Beaurein, lived in the Celestine's manor outside the capital, away from the intrigue and vice of court. He was the first heir to be raised on the Eastern principles of Lessito, with the traditional Western houses being given little say over the young prince. It has been remarked that the relationship between King Roger II and his son was similar to that between his own father, Alain, and Alain's grandfather, King William I.

Chancellor of State
In 1114AD, David's father invaded and conquered Roumeli, achieving his lifelong ambition and bringing to a close the Unification Age. The Crown Prince was 16 years old when this happened and travelled by boat to the new edge of his father's kingdom to participate in the triumphant celebration of House Celestine's victory. It was there that Prince David discovered how frail his 61-year-old father really was. Many senior members of the western aristocracy, who saw the extent of the King's battle wounds, urged him to reduce his workload and to appoint a Regent to preserve the throne for David, once he was old enough to bear the crown.

But King Roger had different ideas. During the Grand Parade of Thermopylae, in which the city was formally claimed by the Crown of Cattala, the King announced that he would appoint his 16-year-old son and heir as Chancellor of State, a newly-created position that would make him the ruler of social and economic matters within Cattala. He became, in effect, the first Prime Minister of Cattala. This stunned the King's courtiers and even members from within the family were concerned by the decision to appoint a boy to the duties of King's.

David returned to Celestine with the Celestinian and Aroe forces that had conquered Roumeli, but was also followed by eager lords and dukes hoping to secure a position of influence over the young Chancellor. He began by taking over the court in Celestine, but held it from his own seat in the Citadel rather than the throne, a symbolic gesture to remind people that the King was still alive. Significant reforms in taxation, land rights and the judicial system were established by David during his time as Chancellor.

Reign
Five years after becoming Chancellor, David became King upon his father's death in Roumeli. Having never returned to Celestine after winning the Bronze War, few mourned the death of the absent King, and David raised little of the pomp and ceremony that his father had when he became King. The open displays of power that had defined his predecessor's coronation were also absent from King David's.

However the young King did commission a grand cathedral in the heart of Thermopylae after his father's death and within five years the first King of All Roumeli was interned in the epitaph of his conquest. David took the entire court to Roumeli for the grand funeral, complete with military honours that hadn't been seen since Roger's day.

David did not appoint a Chancellor of State to act in his stead on domestic policy; instead, he established a military council alongside the leaders of the seven principalities. Together they controlled and advised the King on foreign policy whilst he could focus on his own interests in the development of the economy. As King he continued his tax reforms and enforcement of tax laws became more stringent, but also fairer as well.

King David's approach to ruling was different to those that had come before. Whilst King Roger and his namesake great grandson sought military rule, and King William had focused on building a grand dynastic city, the young King expanded the power of House Celestine through economic and fiscal might, not military power. His tight control of tax income and distribution allowed him to establish banking houses and fund improvements to harbours and roads across the realm. He averted dissent by keeping tax rises to a minimum, and didn't get involved in costly foreign wars.

Marriage
During a foreign visit to the Holy Roman Empire in 1123, King David met his cousin, Lady Marie, who was within the court in Mainz at the time. It was then that he was believed to have first bedded James of Celloporto's daughter. They continued to have an affair throughout the visit and she became his mistress as he travelled through Italy back to Cattala. She was present when he met with the Pope of Rome.

The relationship quickly became court knowledge once the King arrived back in Celestine. Her father was appointed to the War Council, thereby releasing his family from their ties to Germany and allowing Marie to move to court. When word reached his mother, Lady Beaurein, she is said to have thrown wine at her son in disbelief and rage at the incestuous relationship.

When Marie arrived at court, the King announced to his extended family that they were to marry. Members of House Aroe and House Celestine, including three of his aunts and both of his sisters, walked out. The controversy over the incestuous marriage led to many lords refusing to attend the wedding and the Pope refused to bless them for many months after finding out, until threatened with financial repercussions.

The marriage was clearly not for political convenience, and deeply angered many within court and especially the royal family. It was the first marriage for love in the Celestine dynasty and caused tensions with the local Church as well. However, once the new Queen gave birth to two healthy sons and the succession was secured, the controversy did die down.

Death and Legacy
King David I died in Celestine after reigning for 49 years. He left behind an infinitely wealthier Crown, with more land, more gold and more tax income than ever before. He had avoided wars and conflict with both the aristocracy and peasantry, but had this reputation overshadowed by his misguided marriage for love. Internal strife within the House of Celestine would linger on for decades after his death and fuelled the conflicts between his sons, King David II and Prince Alexander.