Talk:Severus I of Illyricum

Early Life

Severus I, born Severus Adrianus Maximus, was the son of Publius Adrianus Maximus, the Duke of Secundia. As a young child, Severus was taught the rules of chivalry and the strategies of war. At the age of fifteen Severus was married to Mariana Julia Fabula, the daughter of the Duke of Etruricum. In 1545, Severus' father fell ill and died of the Great Death, which had ravaged the country for almost a decade. It was also during this time that Severus witness a priest attempt to rape a young girl, which led to Severus becoming an atheist and an anti-catholic. After a decade, King Julius VIII died of disease, ending the male line of the House of Claudius.

War of Succession

Through his aunt, Maria Adriana Pulchra, who was married to Julius VIII, Severus had a claim to the throne of Illyricum. Severus announced his claim to the throne on May 2, 1555. However, after being urged by the Patriarch of Illyricum, Cornelius Pius, Julia Claudia Maxima "Pulcherissima", the daughter of Julius VIII, claimed the throne. Cornelius Pius rushed to crown Julia as Queen of Illyricum, and the royal coronation took place in early June. In spite of Julia's coronation, Severus refused to surrender his claim to the throne, and he organized another coronation for himself on September 10. In response to Severus' coronation, Julia declared war on Severus and his allied nobles. Julia had the support of the Catholic Church of Illyricum, which was both a blessing and a curse, as while the Church had many catholic allies, most of the people of Illyricum were anti-catholic because of the Great Death. Severus led his troops from the front lines, and he was known as a terrific fighter. The war dragged on for year after year, until the summer of 1561. Severus' troops had made meager gains over the year, however Julia's troops were exhausted, and Severus exploited that to the fullest. Severus led a brutal campaign and eventually surrounded Julia's army at Armorlaus, and they surrendered on July 19, 1561. However Julia herself was walled up in Illyricus, and was preparing for a siege. Severus was determined to capture Julia, so he marched his army to Illyricus and began besieging the city on August 1. After just one and a half days of besieging, Julia surrendered, effectively ending the war. Julia and Severus spent three months negotiating a treaty to officially end the war, and it is suspected that Severus fell in love with Julia during this time. The treaty was officially signed on December 16, 1561. The treaty stated that Severus would be officially crowned King of Illyricum, that Catholicism would no longer be the religion of the kingdom, and finally that Julia and Severus would marry as a "Union of the Houses."

Reign as King of Illyricum

As soon as Severus was officially crowned on January 1, 1562, he initiated an inquisition. Thirty-Four people were executed over the first four months of Severus' reign, including Cornelius Pius, and Julia's former husband, Duke Alexus Marcius Lunus of Illyricus. Severus then spent years solidifying Illyricum's control and attempting to expand its borders. Severus died of old age in 1607.