The history of Taratha starts with the unification of the Tarathan tribes in the north by Ludwik the Tarathan, the Lion of the Valadarins. From the founding of the line of kings to the recent split of the nation between two brothers, the history of Taratha is punctuated by civil wars, regicides, and endless politicking.
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Henryk III Welv ~ The Black
Henryk III Welv (239 ~ 256) was the eldest son of Konrad III Welv and Gizel of Liudolving, a marriage that ended twenty years of feuding between the Welvs and Liudolvings. His birth was seen as a omen of brighter days to come for the Koronn of Taratha, and the early years of his reign seemed to match this portent.
Tutored by learned men of the Orthodox Church, even as a young teenager he mediated between the holy offices of the Patriarch and his father. Made lord of Liudolving at the death of his grandfather, he further secured peace by marrying the daughter of Kiel of Navaren, calling upon his father-in-law to aid his father in his ongoing war with the Vorian Empire.
Black luck struck the young lord when on campaign in Voria, both his father, younger brother, and wife succumbed to the plague. This would mark the turning point in this ill fated Koronn’s luck, leading to strife and discord for Taratha and her neighbors.
In his first year as Koronn he traveled the countryside with an armed escort, securing direct control for himself of Kond, Lorratha, and Liudolving, raising the ire of the magnates. The following spring, in 240, he invaded Jenka, seeking to secure himself the crown, but was ambushed by partisans, bring the expedition to a halt. Choosing to ignore the terrible defeat, he had the court historian rewrite history to paint him in a better light.
When Petr the Vor was overthrown in 244, he led an invasion into Toloska on the promise that Tas would be ceded to him personally in exchange for the crown. This expedition too met with disaster, and never again would a Tarathan king successfully hold onto land east of Osta. This disaster was one too many, and a general uprising began throughout the country.
Searching for allies, he married Alanza Tito Menoza, the daughter of the Duque of Tito, who gave him 2,000 men as a dowry. With these Falkian mercenaries he successfully put down further revolts, and secured his throne. Riding high on this success he again invaded Toloska in 251, but failed to do more than take a few minor forts, which he could not hold, forcing him to sign a hasty treaty at Ker.
In 254, he warred with Oldaska over the Borowsa region, crowning his son as Koronn of Oldaska. Being unable to press the claim and hold onto his gains in Oldaska combined with a rebellion in Drengot forced him to relinquish the claim on behalf of his infant son, and accept an insultingly small pay off from Kazimierz I of Oldaska.
The Black Koronn met his end in 256 at the point of the sword of Enrique I Lopez Huesca, Rey of Falkia. The meeting had been a planned embassy to discuss trade and the fate of the Kond region as both had rightful claims on it. However, during the feast insults flew and the aging Koronn challenged his Falkian counterpart to a duel. It is said that he suffered so many wounds that his armor ran black with his blood by the end of the fight.
An ill fated king, he left an infant son as heir and a kingdom on the precipice of ruin.