#windenburghistory

After the death of King Charles III, his daughter, Matilda, ascended the throne as Queen Matilda II. She reigned until 1714 and left an unclear plan of succession, causing the War of Windenburgian Succession which lasted from 1714-1720. Carlos I of Almeria attempted to claim the Windenburgian throne through the claim of his mother, Princess Louise, the eldest daughter of James and Ophelia. Many people did not consider Carlos's claim valid, because he was Jacoban. George Heinrich, Elector of Wittenburg and his wife, Princess Adelaide of Brichester, both grandchildren of Windenburgian Princesses, were the other claimants to the throne who were supported by the Peteran Kingdoms. The bloody war tore the Simtinent up and almost destroyed the Windenburgian Empire. In the end. George Heinrich and Adelaide's son, Joseph, would ascend the throne.

Following the couple’s marriage, Ophelia and James occupied Hertford Castle while maintaining apartments at Windslar Palace and Verdun Palace. While James and Ophelia remained devoted to one another and had a loving relationship, Ophelia felt isolated in court. After the conclusion of their wedding celebrations, Ophelia found the courtiers cold and hostile. Ophelia found solace in her Magnolian ladies-in-waiting whom she conversed with in her native language. Ophelia never fully assimilated into Windenburgian Society, and never learned to speak Simlish properly. Ophelia and her husband spoke Magnolian with one another, often in public, causing people to be suspicious of the couple. Many accused Ophelia of being a Jacoban spy who plotted with Jacoban insurrectionists.

Ophelia largely stayed in the company of her Magnolian household for the first two years of marriage. James was forced to dismiss them when rumors spread that Ophelia’s lady-in-waiting, Madame Villiers, was spying on the royal couple for the King of Magnolia. Ophelia was allowed to keep two of her ladies-in-waiting, Angelique de Rohan and Helene de Penthièvre. However, in 1635, Helene was accused of poisoning Adelaide of Schwerin and was later executed. James did nothing to stop this, infuriating Ophelia for a few months.

Over the next few years, Ophelia would develop a new household and close circle of friends including Lady Pauline Charleston and Cecelia Bentwick, Countess of Harren. Ophelia would develop life-long friendships with Pauline and Cecelia, who would remain her constant companions at court. Francine Withers, Duchess of Norwich was appointed her mistress of the robes, with her sisters, Lady Georgiana Burley and Lady Henrietta Burley serving as Ladies of the Bedchamber. Ophelia’s favorite at court, Vincent Williams-Bulwick, 2nd Earl of Winthrop, was appointed her chamberlain. James appointed his close friend, Sir Thomas Grenoble as his wife’s treasurer to control her finances. Ophelia’s constant overspending throughout the first years of marriage made her unpopular. Her expensive and grand wardrobe along with her large household led to her going into debt as early as 1637. 

With the news of Ophelia’s first pregnancy in 1636, she was gifted Courland Palace by her father-in-law, King Charles. Ophelia and her husband often traveled to Courland Palace during the summertime. Ophelia cultivated a series of residences that included Verdun Palace, Hertford Castle, Glencraig Castle, and Barley House. Ophelia had her residences refurbished and renovated, much to the dismay of her frugal husband. Ophelia collected a large number of pets including 12 dogs, 5 cats, and many exotic pets such as peacocks, parrots, and zebras. 

Ophelia had a warm relationship with her father-in-law, King Charles II, who often showered the couple with gifts. Meanwhile, Ophelia had a strained relationship with her mother-in-law, Matilda Carlton, and her grandmother-in-law, Adelaide of Schwerin. Matilda, a staunch Peteran, found Ophelia’s devout Jacobanism repulsive. While, Adelaide’s dislike of Ophelia came down to family disputes, as the Duchy of Schwerin was ransacked by Magnolia in 1605. Although Matilda and Adelaide detested one another, they worked together to ostracize Ophelia. Matilda and Adelaide would openly snub Ophelia by ignoring her at court and not inviting her to their entertainments. 

Princess Ophelia Thérèse Marie Hélène Françoise of Lausanne was born on August 27th, 1620, to Louis Henri II, Prince of Lausanne, and Princess Marie Thérèse of Magnolia. Ophelia’s paternal grandparents were Charles Joseph, Prince of Lausanne, and Princess Isabella of Calabria. Her maternal grandparents were King Louis IX of Magnolia and Princess Elizabeth of Windenburg.

 Ophelia was born at Chateau de Angouleme, King Louis IX’s favorite country residence. At the time of Ophelia’s birth, her father had been overthrown as Prince of Lausanne and sought sanctuary at his father-in-law’s court. Ophelia’s mother, Princess Marie Thérèse, was King Louis' favorite daughter. The King was delighted with the birth of his granddaughter and organized several court entertainments in honor of her birth. Ophelia and her family initially lived with the King and traveled with the court between the King’s numerous residences. The Royal Governess, Marie Charlotte de Rohan, cared for Ophelia and her cousins during her infancy. 

Throughout the 1600s, religious conflicts had plagued the continent which resulted in Lausanne being occupied by Peteran Forces. In 1623 after the conclusion of the War of Religion, the Treaty of Emden restored Ophelia's father to his throne. Ophelia and her family returned to Lausanne later that year and resided at the Chateau Moren. Ophelia was joined by two younger siblings who survived to adulthood, Prince Henri, and Prince Maurice. Despite residing in Lausanne, Ophelia, and her family often visited her grandfather, the King of Magnolia. Princess Marie Thérèse appointed her close friend and childhood companion, the Marquise de Villars, as governess of her children. Ophelia had a simple education, very typical of princesses of the time. Ophelia learned multiple languages, was a skilled musician and dancer, and learned horseback riding. She had a strict Jacoban education, overseen by the Bishop of Lausanne. Ophelia had a close relationship with her brothers who she would correspond with for the rest of her life. Many letters survive between her and her grandfather, detailing their close relationship with one another. On her 13th birthday, her grandfather, the King of Magnolia, gifted her ten stallions and a golden state carriage which currently is in the Windenburg Royal Collection and is used during official events.

Ophelia grew up to become a beautiful princess, one of the most desirable brides on the continent. It was proposed that Ophelia be a bride to her cousin, Victor Emmanuel, Crown Prince of Tartosa, or Prince Louis, Duke of Vendome. King Louis IX wanted Ophelia to marry his grandson, Prince Louis Duke of Vendome, however, Prince Louis wanted to marry an Infanta of Almeria. The Grand Duke of Sienna courted Ophelia in 1634, however marriage negotiations fell through over disagreements about her dowry. 

In 1634, James, Prince of the Isle, heir to Windenburg, visited Lausanne on his way back from Tartosa. James had desired the hand of Princess Anna of Tartosa, however, the marriage negotiations failed. Windenburg had desired peace with the Jacoban Kingdoms after fighting against them for the last thirty years, with the peace being cemented through marriage. After the rejection of the Tartosan marriage, James suggested a Magnolian match in order to forge a new alliance with Magnolia. James stayed at Chateau Moren for three nights on his journey back Windenburg. James had traveled incognito under the name "The Earl of Ely" and was invited by Ophelia's father. James met Ophelia and was instantly enchanted with her grace and beauty. James and Ophelia were only one year apart in age and were smitten with one another. James immediately wrote to his father, the King of Windenburg, asking for his approval, which he relented. On his way back to Windenburg, James stopped in Magnolia to negotiate with King Louis IX of Magnolia and Ophelia's father, Prince Louis Henri for her hand in marriage. King Louis gave Ophelia a dowry of 1.8 million livres along with a trousseau of 150 garments. Ophelia brought an entourage of 40 servants, 12 ladies in waiting, 4 clergymen, and 10 noblemen. James returned to Windenburg, while Ophelia married James by proxy in Magnolia on January 5th, 1635. Ophelia traveled to Windenburg where the official ceremony took place at St.Michael’s Cathedral on February 16th. A private Jacoban service was officiated in the Salon of Diane at Windslar Palace.

Ophelia and her husband James had a loving relationship with one another. Although they went through many rough patches during their first few years of marriage, the couple remained devoted to one another throughout their lives. Ophelia and James bonded over their shared love of music and art. Although James was frugal, he supported his wife’s artistic patronage. Despite Ophelia largely staying out of politics, James often sought her advice during his reign. James took no mistresses and often slept in Ophelia's bedchamber, which was very uncommon for the time.

In 1636, Ophelia became pregnant and would later give birth to her first child, Prince James Henry, Duke of Witham. The labor was long and difficult, prompting Ophelia to hire midwives to assist with the birth of her following children. Ophelia would have five more children; Prince Charles (1638), Princess Louise (1641), Princess Henrietta (1642), Prince George (1647), and Princess Sophie (1650). She experienced miscarriages in 1643, 1645, and 1654 and gave birth to a stillborn son in 1655. Ophelia’s children were raised in the Peteran faith, with their educations supervised by Elise Shay, Countess of Brookhaven.

In October of 1645, Ophelia and her household were stopped by an angry mob on their way to the Verdun Palace. The angry mob chanted for the death of Queen Ophelia and her children. Several carriages in her entourage were toppled and looted, her Jacoban Priests and Guards were murdered, and two of her ladies-in-waiting were severely wounded. However, Kings Guards, only a block away, saw the insurrection alerted the Palace, and were able to rescue the Queen. Afterward, Ophelia refused to return to Windenburg, preferring to stay at Windslar Palace which was outside the city walls. Although Ophelia never returned to Windenburg, her husband still held court at Verdun Palace during the winter, bringing their children along. 

During the late 1640s, relations with Magnolia soured as Windenburg developed a closer relationship with Brichester. Brichester and Magnolia had become enemies during the religious wars and were seen as trading competitors. During the economic crisis, Windenburg relied heavily on Brichester who openly welcomed this new allyship. Magnolia was enraged by this newfound relationship, causing Ophelia’s place in court to become even more vulnerable. Harassment and anger toward Ophelia grew at court, with many regarding her to be the devil. 

In 1650, Ophelia’s son, Prince James, was officially invested as Prince of the Isle in Windenburg. The public investiture was met with celebration by the public who rejoiced in the Peteran ceremony. Ophelia refused to attend the ceremony due to the Peteran service, as well as the fact that it took place in Windenburg. 

Ophelia had always desired her eldest daughter, Princess Louise, to marry her cousin’s son, the Duke of Reims, who would be the future King of Magnolia. However, these plans were spoiled by the King and his councilors who despised the match. Other potential suitors for Louise included the Duke of Schwerin, the Prince of Brichester, and the Crown Prince of Vasa. The Duke of Schwerin wasn’t suitable for the eldest daughter of the King, the Prince of Brichester was too old, and the Crown Prince of Vasa wanted a larger dowry. In 1652, negotiations began for Louise to marry King Felipe II of Almeria who was one year her senior. Although Felipe was Jacoban, the match was seen as favorable due to their anti-Magnolian sentiment. Felipe’s mother and regent, Queen Antonia, had waged two wars against Magnolia during her rule. In 1653, Louise was married to Felipe by proxy at the Windslar Palace Chapel. Ophelia reportedly wept through the whole ceremony. Ophelia was devastated by the marriage of her daughter as she would never see her again. Ophelia accompanied Louise to Glencraig where she departed from for Almeria. Ophelia would continue to correspond with her daughter weekly for the rest of her life, writing around 3,000 letters.