Across the Scattered Worlds: State vs Church in the Jaret Dynasty

20090916

State vs Church in the Jaret Dynasty

In the Credixian Imperium, the reign of the Jaret Dynasty (2189-2837 CI) witnessed an eight-century power struggle between the Sisterhood of Meletia and the Richstaag (dominated by the Kala Phenkae).

After Imperators Mark III and Gordon V became increasingly supportive of the Reichstaag, the Sisterhood arranged the assassination of the next Imperator, Antonia VI. The Reichstaag was forced to accept Elenor IV, High Priestess of Meletia, as her successor to the Crown.

Power remained in the Sisterhood's hands for over a century. When Imperator Mark IV accepted a Kala Phenkae-approved mate, their daughter Augusta was killed. The only remaining viable candidate for the Crown was High Priestess Nina -- she became Nina IV in 2413 CI.

In 2575 CI, the Kala Phenkae seized the chance to advance their own interests by poisoning pro-Sisterhood Daniel, heir to Imperator Daniel IV. Daniel IV's successor, Marcia III, proved to just as pro-Sisterhood as her brother, so in 2581 the Kala Phenkae arranged for Marcia to be poisoned and their own Anna I became Imperator, in place of Marcia's son who was still a minor.

The next few Imperators were Kala Phenkae sympathizers until 2653 CI, when Philip VII died -- perhaps murdered. Philip's son Stephen was still a minor, so the Crown passed to Augusta, daughter of Aurick (Daniel IV's grandson) and Marcia, High Priestess of Meletia (herself great-great-granddaughter of Marcia II). Augusta, ruling as Augusta VII, was sympathetic to the Sisterhood.

The conflict finally ended in 2837 CI with the death of Imperator Elenor V. Prime Minister Fredric LaVerne was voted Imperator as Fredric V; from High Priestess Marcia Jaret he forced the concession of the Pragmatic Sanction of 2838, which ruled that no Priestess or High Priestess of Meletia could ever again occupy the Throne.