Chapter II, The Three Kings
After the better part of five minutes, Chancellor Pavel Pskovich returned to the stage and continued his speech. "After the unfortunate, but expected, death of old King Mstislav, Russia went through a series of kings in-between 1117 and 1133. Due to King Mstislav's enation of Salic Primogenure in 1088, there was no doubt that all future Kings would be of the Rurikovich name. The first in that series, and perhaps most valiant of all Russian Kings, was King Rodislav I, eldest surviving son of King Mstislav." Pskovich paused as a great portrait was placed on the stand.
King Rodislav I in 1105
"This portrait," continued Pskovich, "is afer an ancient one of King Rodislav when he was in his mid 30s in 1105. Having been raised during the time of Unification, he bore a strong inclination to violence throught his life. When he was created Prince of Esthonia in 196, he highlighted this by immediatley by both converting and killing pagans in his new provinces. In early 1104, Prince Rodislav invaded Livonia, which he took for himself. In 1110, he invaded and captured the Osel islands, which shall play a crucial role in the future of our story."
Pskovich paused to change notes on the lectern before continuing. "Rodislav brought this enthusiastic warring trait into full effect shortly after his coronation on August 30, 1117. The next day, he declared war on all of the Pagan tribes north of Poland and west of Werle Province." Another image is thrust upon the stand, which is starting to look worn already.
Battle of Stettin, 1120
Pskovich continued, "Being as valiant as one hundred lions, he led his men onto the battle field every chance he could. His troops, some were veterans of the Muscovite war, always were strengthened by this, and thus fought more bravely. But, King Rodislav's life was cut short by an arrow through the neck at the battle of Stettin in 1120. He was 51 years old."
"When the news reached home, the whole of Russia mourned. Everyone except Rodislav's eldest son and heir, Ivan. Aged 34, but weathered beyond his years, Ivan would have made an excellent ruler, for no one could say they have ever seen a better Diplomat or Steward. Unfortunately, Ivan had a major problem. He was an alcoholic. Starting at the susceptable age of 15, Ivan's main companion throughout his life had been a bottle of Vodka in each hand." A picture is was then lowered onto the stage, due to its massive size, by several servants on cranes in the rafters.
King Ivan the Drunk in 1123
"Due to the massive amounts of alcohol consumed by the King, his liver had begun to decline even as he was crowned on April 2, 1120. Here is the last known image of him, created in 1123. The image fails to capture in just how bad of condition he was at the time. By 1124, all affairs of State were essentially conducted by his Chancellor, Igor of Livs. Sometime during the night of June 8, 1125, King Ivan died of massive liver failure at age 39." The next engraving is put on the stage while the massive one is once again raised into the rafters.
St. Andrev's Fortified Monastery, 1120
Gesturing to the engraving, Pskovich continued. "This is an engraving of St. Andrev's Fortified Monastery in the foot hills of the Urals. Founded in 1099, it became one of the more famous clerical retreats of the middle-ages. It was here that Ivan's eldest and most pious son, Sergei, was praying when he got the news that his father had died, and he was the new King. With all haste, he returned to Novgorod and was crowned on September 2, 1125."
"He was a mere 22 years old when crowned King, and hadn't even married. Afterward, however, he promptly married Svatoslava Rurikovich, his 4th cousin and two years his elder. His wife was a baby-producing wonder, having 7 children in the ten years of their marraige. Unfortunately for Sergei, 5 were daughters, and his eldest son died at age 8 of pnumonia in 1133."
The Young King, 1126
Pskovich coughed loudly before speaking again. "This is an engraving of the young King done in 1126 when he would have been 23. Unfortunately, Sergei suffered from an illness which would only be later diagnosed as an intestinal worm. In 1132, his last son was born, Alexei. After that one daughter was born and three days after that, King Sergei died at the age of 32 in 1135. The reign of Alexei will be continued after I prepare the engravings."