History of House Linden
Origins of the Vlaardoens
Vlaardoens are one of the oldest Flaemish families in Glantri. Only they and Verliens may trace their ancestry directly to Old Alphatia without any doubts. They are also only one of the old ducal families of Kingdom of Braejr still in existence. Their forefather in Old Alphatia was General Vlaardoen, one of the leaders of the Followers of the Fire in Civil War that destroyed Old Alphatia. During the years before coming to Mystara, the General's descendants began to use his name as a family name to honor his legacy.
The appearance of the Vlaardoens has always been a prime example of Flaemish heritage. Without exception they have flaming red hair and very pale complexion. And excluding few shunned individuals, they all have been accomplished Fire Wizards.
Wilhelmina Vlaardoen
In AC 707, old Duke Barnar Vlaardoen died at the age of 77. He was succeeded by his only living child, his daughter, Wilhelmina. Wilhelmina was 27 years old, unmarried, and had no personal attractiveness. In fact, her appearance and behavior were quite mannish and she even had small red moustaches. Besides these, Wilhelmina was both capricious and stubborn, and has absolutely no desire to be a ruler. In this somewhat unhappy situation of succession woes, salvation came in the person of Wilhelmina's uncle Filred Vlaardoen. Filred promptly took the reins of rulership and married Wilhelmina to his own son, Achilles, to legitimize his reign.
After a stormy start at marriage, Wilhelmina actually began to like her husband, and the following year bore their only child, Barend. Their marriage was happy in the sense that they liked each others company, but love had nothing to do with it. Achilles has his adventures with other women, but Wilhelmina paid no attentions to them, as long as there were no children as a result. She was truly sad when Achilles died at the age of 79 in AC 751, after 44 years of marriage.
Filred was the real ruler of Linden until his death in AC 721. By that time, he had trained Wilhelmina and Achilles to govern by themselves. Actually, after Wilhelmina had taken an interest in governing and politics, she proved to have talent for both. She instinctively understood the problems of Flaemish politics: the power balance between the ducal families and the settler question. She carefully sought to promote her family's interests without openly affronting the other houses. Even so, she encountered strong opposition from the other dukes, especially when she tried to promote peaceful relations with the settlers. Her influence was crucial when the Flaems decided to let Traladaran settlers go through their areas to the northeastern forests.
The Arrival of the Pale Ones
The biggest disappointment for Wilhelmina Vlaardoen was that his own son defied her policy of neutrality towards the settlers. When the fighting between the southern Flaems and the settlers began in late AC 730, Barend left Linden against his mother's wishes to fight against the settlers. Achilles encouraged him to do that, but Wilhelmina never found out that.
When the Flaemish King Anton in AC 738 instituted an official policy of welcoming and integrating settlers, Wilhelmina whole-heartedly supported it. Many historians have wondered about Wilhelmina's tolerant attitude towards settlers, considering that racism was the norm amongst the Flaems. One probable explanation is that Linden was just so far away from the fighting zone in the south; Wilhelmina could be tolerant because settlers were not a threat to Linden at that point in time.
The greatest shock for Wilhelmina came in AC 747 when the Council banned clericism. Although she herself approved of the ban, Wilhelmina was shocked that Barend, already an accomplished warrior-mage, was chosen to direct the operations against the clerics. Only then did she realize what a fanatic her son was. She openly denounced Barend's "Burning Council" as an unjust court. And in AC 750, when Barend began to burn settlers and clerics, Wilhelmina was truly horrified. She totally understood that the deed would probably jeopardize all Flaems in the eyes of the settlers.
When the fighting started the following year, Wilhelmina simply announced that it was to be expected and withdrew from the Council. She was deeply disappointed in the politics of the Flaems, and when Achilles died, Wilhelmina closed herself in Linden for rest of her life. She refused all summons to Braejr, even if they came from King personally. At this point of life, she would have disinherited Barend, had there been some other possible choice of heir.
Wilhelmina died in AC 767 at the age 87, she had not seen her son for 20 years. Her only solace during these years had been her daughter-in-law, Maria, and her 8 grandchildren, who had visited her regularly.
Barend Vlaardoen
Barend was 59 when he succeeded his mother. He was typical male Vlaardoen by appearance--stocky but hardened in body and of stately carriage, with flaming red hair and a full beard—as seen in the numerous family portraits displayed in Linden Tower.
Barend had not been in Linden for 20 years and did not arrive there until AC 770. He stayed amongst the Flaemish troops he had been fighting with since the late AC 730s, and of which he later became commander of in AC 766. He had left the ruling of Linden in the hands of his old teacher, Benedict Moroden, and his favorite cronies. This however was not a good decision. Moroden's rulership was harsh for common people and in AC 770, there broke out riots against him. Barend had to leave the forefront of the war against the settlers and take Linden by himself. Moroden and the leaders of the riots were promptly executed.
Barend was purposeful as a ruler. He had an iron hard will and he kept everyone and everything in strict discipline. Unlike his mother, he was a totally racist Flaem. He knew no mercy against his opponents. For him there was no such thing as conciliation. In earlier years, when he was leading the persecution of clerics, Barend organized a council to serve as a special court before which everyone suspected of clericalism could be brought to trial. All members were Flaems, and nearly everyone had same conviction than Barend.
Barend wanted to teach the settlers in the southern areas that the only reason they were permitted to enjoy wealth was because they were expected to be meek and obedient servants of the Flaemish rulers. He wanted to restore respect for the Flaems amongst all classes of settlers. He wanted to prove to the settlers that the only cure for disturbances was royal tyranny of the king. Consequently by AC 771 he had become the most hated Flaem amongst the settlers.
Barend's most enduring achievement was probably his children. He had married Maria Morend in AC 727 and during following 12 years they had two sons and six daughters. Their marriage was very happy. Barend cemented his alliance with other leading families by marrying daughters to every other ducal family and his younger son Willem to a daughter of the King.
Barend died embittered in AC 779 at the age of 71. He had not succeeded in his prime goals of leading an all-out war against the settlers. He blamed that Averoignian dandy Étienne d'Ambreville for this, who had been a stabilizing factor against Barend's warmongering.
Andreis Vlaardoen
Barend's older son Andreis was 46-years old when he succeeded his father. He was somewhat shorter and kept his beard short trimmed. Otherwise his appearance was exactly like his father's. His nature was however totally different. Andreis was as tolerant as his father was intolerant towards the settlers. He was energetic like his father but much more intelligent, especially as a politician. Andreis had adopted some of the thoughts of his grandmother Wilhelmina about politics and about the settler problem.
Since his youth, Andreis had been a favorite of the King because of his exceptional intellectual capacity. The King thus permitted him to take part in all-important political discussions. Andreis had the capability of understanding what the motives of others were, while concealing his own motives under meaningless conversation.
Common folk of Linden liked their new duke, because Andreis had loosened the tight grasp his father had kept them in. Unfortunately Andreis' ideas about peaceful relations with the settlers were extremely unpopular amongst the other nobles, particularly in the atmosphere of war.
When the war between the Flaems and the settlers broke out in AC 784, Andreis was only one to speak for the negotiations. He was murdered in Braejr in the age of 51. He was deeply mourned in Linden.
Rodolphus Vlaardoen
Andreis' successor was his 17-years old son Rodolphus from his first marriage. Rodolphus' mother Theodora had died in childbirth and his raising was left to his stepmother Martha. Even at this young age, Rodolphus looked like a typical Vlaardoen. What set him apart was that he was very tall, and had no facial hair yet; even later in life, he wore only moustaches.
Rodolphus was a talented young man, quick to learn, energetic and extremely strong-willed. He was also extremely healthy and suffered none of the normal childhood sicknesses. He grew to be a giant for man in every possible way. His powers of concentration were great and could focus his energies on a project totally. There were no such things as half-finished to him; everything was either finished or not worth doing at all.
Rodolphus took immediately leadership of Linden's troop to his own hands, even dismissing old generals who were against him. He soon proved to be a very capable commander despite his young age. He had a strong grasp of supplies and logistics, and during the following four years, the Linden troops were only ones on Flaemish side never to have shortages in material or food. He also realized that a small force that could be easier to maintain than a large army, and could be just as effective if they were efficient and well-trained..
The Battle of Braejr
Rodolphus Vlaardoen's part in victory of Braejr in AC 785 was not yet evident, with the older dukes and their generals taking the limelight. But during the following three years, Rodolphus' star rise above all the others.
It was soon clear that this young Flaem was the only leader that could compare to Joachim von Drachenfels or even Titus Glantri from the opposing side. At the final battle in Braastar in AC 788, Rodolphus was last of the Flaemish leaders to surrender. He even considered continuing the fighting, but as King and most of the older Flaems were dead, he decided that it would be needless.
Rodolphus took part at the negotiations after Joachim von Drachenfels' death. His position amongst Flaems was such that the other surviving nobles could not pass him by. Amongst the common Flaem, he was already a national hero.
The Forty Years War
After negotiations, Rodolphus was chosen as one of the three Flaemish members in the new ruling Council of the Republic of Highlands. Consequently Halzunthram arrested him after his coup to declare the Highlands a protectorate of Alphatia. After that historical act of treachery, Rodolphus considered all Alphatians as his personal enemies.
During the ensuing rebellion, where the Flaems and settlers rose up against the Alphatian oppressors, Rodolphus was released from imprisonment in a daring raid by the elven leader, Don Alfonso de Belcadiz. Rodolphus and the other Flaemish captives, Jan Pieinants and Cornelis Postbrad, escaped to the Flaemish territories north, where they gathered the Flaems to join the rebellion against Halzunthram. The following years small Flaemish forces lead by Rodolphus were harassing Alphatians everywhere north of Braastar.
During these war-heavy years, the more undesirable traits of the Flaems surfaced in Rodolphus. His hatred of Alphatians eventually turned to a hatred of every other race—with only elves as an exception. When the Thyatians and Kerendans approached the Flaems in secret negotiations in AC 794, Rodolphus was against it, believing their situation was not that desperate; he was outvoted by the other Flaemish leaders.
Rodolphus began to have frequent outbursts of rage, which, Rodolphus believed, could be calmed by drinking heavily. The other Flaems did not like this latter feature in particular, because it meant that Rodolphus would challenge everyone to drinking contests—and no one could out drink the large and hefty Rodolphus! (One poor Thyatian envoy of average height and weight learned this lesson the hard way…)
Rodolphus also began to personally take part in interrogations of the prisoners and some say that he even tortured and executed them. It was mostly because of these happenings that Alphatians began to call Rodolphus as "the Red Devil."
The Years of Infamy
Disaster at the Battle of Braejr in AC 802 did not improve Rodolphus Vlaardoen's view about other races. The stubbornness of the Thyatian general Hadriana Glantri caused the breach of the siege of Braejr, and the death of the most Flaemish troops. Jan Pieinants and Cornelis Postbrad both fell in that battle and Rodolphus Vlaardoen, at the age of 35, was oldest Flaemish commander in the field.
Years went by and the Forty Years War continued with varying success. Though only 39 years old, everyone could see that 22 years of war began to show in Rodolphus. He was still brilliant in the field, but otherwise his behavior began to be more and more irrational. Rodolphus clearly began to develop paranoia towards possible traitors. The peak of this was in AC 818, when he accused his only son Achilles of treason and conspires with the Alphatians. Achilles was sentenced to death and Rodolphus watched the whole execution and personally made sure that his son was dead.
After this everyone was just waiting for Rodolphus to completely lose his mind. There was however nothing they could do. Rodolphus was still a hero for common people and the soldiers, and the best way would be (the rebel leaders hoped) that Rodolphus would die in battle. But Rodolphus always seemed to survive without even getting any wounds.
The end came in the winter of AC 825, when Rodolphus after heavy drinking fell through the ice. He did not drown at that, but developed a cold and died in bed at the age of 58, after 41 years on the battlefield. The Flaems likened Rodolphus to "a candle that was burning at both ends, until it died of cold."
Historians believe that if Rodolphus Vlaardoen had lived to see the end of the Forty Years War in AC 828, he would never have agreed for the Flaems to join the Republic of Glantri, and the war would probably have continued.
Frederick Vlaardoen
Rodolphus has no living children, so title of Duke went to his 51 year-old half-brother Frederick, son of Andreis Vlaardoen and his second wife Martha. Frederick was a miniature version of his big brother, using only a shortly trimmed beard with no moustaches. In temperament, Frederick was also a milder version of his brother, and much more tractable when dealing with allies. After the death of Rodolphus, Frederick's considerable military skills began to emerge from the shadow of his brother. During last three years of the Forty Years War, the Flaems and their allies finally cooperated without any frictions.
In negotiations after the war, Frederick also showed very great political and diplomatic talents. He agreed with Alexander Glantri's vision about the future of the Highlands and was instrumental to persuade the other Flaemish nobles to accept the establishment of the Republic. After this it came to no surprise that the other nobles choose him to represent them in the Council. The only matter Frederick was unhappy about was the downgrading of Linden to a Viscounty, but he forgot this when Alexander Glantri offered him the position as Supreme Judge, the most powerful position in the new Council. Anyhow, the Flaemish people continued to refer to him as their duke.
The Great Judge of the Republic
Frederick proved to be excellent choice as Supreme Judge. During the first years of the Republic, he had to built a judicial system from scratch and united the five different systems (Flaemish, Thyatian, Alphatian, Traladaran and Ethengar) into one. Most of his innovations are still in use. He also could mostly keep his prejudices from affecting his work.
Frederick even had good working relations with the Alphatian Chamberlain Vortram, but that was ended in AC 835 when the Alphatian killed Alexander Glantri in a Council meeting. Frederick had liked Alexander and could not see this act as anything else but final proof that one should never trust Alphatians. Frederick was not as sorry that Birkai Virayana died as well, because of the old Flaemish prejudices against the Ethengar. When the Traladaran council member, Morphail Gorevitch-Woszlany, put forward that they should execute Vortram immediately as a sign of no mercy to traitors, Frederick supported the move, against the protestations of Wilhelm von Drachenfels for an interrogation. (There is some evidence that Frederick Vlaardoen investigated the matter later, but he never revealed what he had found out. What is known is that he could never trust Vortram's successor, Ambrosion, and kept close watch in his doings.)
In AC 845, when the wizard Étienne d'Ambreville petitioned for Nouvelle Averoigne to join the Republic of the Highlands, Frederick Vlaardoen and Friedrich von Drachenfels were the staunchest supporters of the appeal. This meant more power for Flaems in the House of Lords, as two new viscounts, Étienne d'Ambreville and Gilles Grenier, joined as allies in their voting block.
Frederick died in AC 847 in the age 73. He was greatly mourned by Flaems, who saw that he had brought a peace to them. He was succeeded by his 21 year-old grandson, Moritz Vlaardoen.
Moritz Vlaardoen
Frederick Vlaardoen's son, Michel, had fallen in battle in AC 827. Michel's son, Moritz was left to his grandparents to raise.
When he came into power, Moritz was young, ambitious and intelligent. Frederick had given him the best possible education there were and let him took part in governing Linden so that he would know what to do after Frederick's passing.
The other Flaemish nobles unexpectedly chose him to represent them in council, if only for the reason that they did not want to constantly deal with non-Flaems. At the council, the former Treasurer Toktai Virayana was chosen as a new Supreme Judge, while Moritz received his position as a Treasurer.
Moritz had always loved stories about exploits of his great-uncle Rodolphus and idolized him since childhood. In the Council he wanted a bold and vigorous foreign policy against the Ethengar and he wanted to be a war hero too.
Unfortunately this dream was not to come true. Moritz died suddenly in AC 850 of the smallpox.
Jacob Vlaardoen
Moritz was not married, so he has no child. His successor was his grandfather's cousin, Jacob Vlaardoen. Jacobs's father was Andreis' younger brother Willem, who had died in AC 778 when Jacob was only a one year-old. Jacob was raised with his 3 year-old cousin Frederick. But whereas his cousins Rodolphus and Frederick were militant wizards, Jacob was mostly interested in magical research.
War times were hard for Jacob, because there was not time for proper research. He tried to help in the military campaigns with his magic, but mostly just got in the way. Rodolphus considered him nearly useless. He only rose to importance in AC 821, when Frederick forced him to marry. Jacob had not been very much interested in the opposite sex, but Frederick forced him to recognize that since Rodolphus and Frederick's son Michel had no children so far, he might inherit the throne of Linden. At the age of 44, Jacob married Fredrika Verlien, cousin of future Count Vidar Verlien. It was great surprise to everyone that during the following 5 years they begot three sons.
After the war, Frederick made it clear that he had to stay in capital, so Jacob should took care of Linden. Jacob proved to be very efficient in this role. Linden was totally reconstructed during 829-834. The following thirteen years were the happiest of Jacob's life, since he could finally concentrate on his magical research in Linden. His wife had died already in AC 827 and he had given his sons to be raised by the Verliens.
Then, when Frederick died, all changed. Moritz could not stand the old mage and drove him out of Linden. For the next three years, Jacob stayed in High Sonden with the Verliens, so bitter about Moritz, especially since he was not even able to take his laboratory equipment with him.
So when Jacob returned to Linden as its Viscount in AC 850, he was an embittered, disappointed old man at the age of 73. His prime years were spent in war. He had been forced in a loveless marriage. His relatives even treated him dreadfully. He was stooped by age, gray of hair, although his mane was still as thick at it had been 50 years earlier.
At the Council, Jacob inherited Moritz' position as a Treasurer. He proved to be as harsh in this role as in a Viscount. He did not appreciate anything; nothing was done well enough. He was patronizing to other Council members, and even treated Baron Morphail Gorevitch-Woszlany as an incompetent apprentice. It was quite a surprise when in AC 854, after the death of Prince Ambrosion of Blackhill, Jacob was chosen as Chamberlain of the Land. The fact was, everyone at Council wanted him out of the Treasury, thus his promotion; the only other possible position would have been as Chancellor of the Council, and that was clearly out of the question.
When Herr Friedrich von Drachenfels in AC 853 approached Jacob and told him about the plans to make Glantri a country ruled by magicians, Jacob supported him immediately. The was the only matter in Council that Jacob did not cause any troubles about. (He was the last one to accept the elves joining the Republic, and it took Étienne d'Ambreville and Friedrich von Drachenfels nearly two months to get him to accept this.)
Jacob Vlaardoen I, the first Prince of Bergdhoven died of stroke in AC 860 at the age of 83. There were few that mourned his death.
Johan Vlaardoen II
Prince Jacob was succeeded by his second son Johan. Jacob's eldest son Moritz had died in AC 846 in laboratory accident. Johan was 35 when he became Viscount of Linden and Prince of Bergdhoven. He had inherited the appearance of the previous Vlaardoens, in fact he was very handsome with his neatly trimmed flaming hair and beard and stately carriage. He was soon nicknamed as a Red Prince.
In spite of his father's belittling, Johan had a brilliant intelligence. He was perfectly honest and had an enormous capacity to work. He was precise and clear in his style and prudent in his diplomacy. These were all traits that impressed his contemporaries. But Johan had his faults also; he was cool and even haughty towards anyone who was not his personal friend. This trait was magnified when dealing people outside noble status. Consequently he never was very popular with the general public.
At the Council of Princes, Johan continued his father's work as Chamberlain of the Land. He unfortunately never got a possibility to show his abilities. He was murdered by highwaymen during an inspection trip to the area of Nouvelle Averoigne in AC 862. He was only 37.
Andries Vlaardoen III
Johan was unmarried and was succeeded by his younger brother Andries. Andries was large and handsome, happy and captivating. He had none of his brother's haughtiness. He liked people and people liked him. As a youngest son, he had been mostly spared from his father's harassment.
Unlike his brother, Andries had been married in AC 849 to Alexandra Pieinants, sister to the Flaemish nobleman, Viscount Leopol Pieinants of Blofeld, and already had two children. He had lived in High Sonden all his life, and his ascension to the throne of Bergdhoven was the first time for very long time there were happy family ruling in Linden. Of course this was not totally true; Andries was quite a lady-killer and had many mistresses, and was not quite picky when selecting them. There happened a few very stormy confrontations between Andries and Alexandra during their marriage.
In the Council, Prince Andries was nominated as a Viceroy of Monteleone, when former viceroy Don Fernando de Belcadiz won the position of Chamberlain. Andries was quite happy with this, as in his opinion Chamberlain had too much responsibilities. He never tried to get an other position, because he was not interested in politics. He was happy spending money and keeping court in Linden or in Monteleone. He also enjoyed the irritation his status as viceroy of a former elven fort caused the elves of Belcadiz.
There was only one flaw in Andries' perfect life. He absolutely hated Friedrich von Drachenfels. Their insults for each other were well-known and well-documented, but the reason for their mutual hatred is not clear.
Prince Andries was ecstatic when the Great School of Magic was opened in AC 875 and heartily supported Étienne d'Ambreville's petition for a principality of his own. He immediately sent his 6 year-old grandson Paulus to the Great School, but was gravely disappointed when he flunked only after three years in there.
Prince Andries died in AC 882 in the age of 56. There were never any explanations released, but there were some ugly rumors about the circumstances. The rumors concentrated mainly in Andries trying to do something that his physique could not stand. There was also mention of a certain elven lady, but that is quite hard to believe, considering the relations between Flaems and the elves in general.
Willem Vlaardoen IV
The next Prince of Bergdhoven was Willem Vlaardoen, the son of Prince Andreis. He was as handsome as his father was, but unlike him, he was reserved, stiff, hard and unscrupulous. He also was a great admirer of Friedrich von Drachenfels and knew by heart Friedrich's famous opus Über Kriege und Magie. He was however more politician and diplomat than soldier or military wizard.
Prince Willem had two great tragedies in his personal life. The first was that his only child Paulus had no talents for magic, which was unheard in the history of the family, and his wife Anneken could not beget more children. The second tragedy was both personal and political. Willem's sister Paola had married Vlandoor Vandeeker of the rich gem cutter family in Kopstar, in AC 873. Then in AC 877, Vlardoon's sister Anneke Vandeeker disappeared from Kopstar, and some ten years later resurfaced as the fourth wife of Prince Toktai Virayana. This cause enormous uproar among the Flaems, and Prince Willem had to break all relations with his sister Paola and the Vandeekers. After this Willem hated the Krondaharans and was against their every move for rest of his life.
In the Council, Prince Willem continued to be a Viceroy of Monteleone until AC 889, when he was chosen as a Chancellor of the Council upon Prince Vitalin Aendyr's death—mainly because there was no other choice among the Princes. Willem was actually not so bad as a Chancellor, but there were not many issues with other countries during his term, so his duties were actually minimal. He also enjoyed parties enough to get through the obligatory diplomatic dinners.
Willem of course was happy with his charge. He loved Linden and stayed there whenever he could and Glantri City was closer than Monteleone. He was not greatly interested in the administration of his own principality however, and was only concerned to have the support, moral and financial, for his policy from there.
During this time most momentous event was the splitting of the elven Principality. To everybody's surprise, even Willem supported this. He knew quite well that the relations between the two elven clans were not good, but also saw that a second elven principality would lessen their power at the House of Lords.
Willem was happy when he could help his old teacher Porfir Massza to establish the Viscounty of Bergen in AC 894. Willem had already insisted for some time that old Porfir settle the area and reserved the title for the dominion. This dream at last succeeded, when Prince Ernst von Drachenfels also admitted that it would be good to have a dominion in military point of view.
In AC 896 after d'Ambrevilles disappearance and death of Supreme Judge Toktai Virayana, Willem was a candidate for both open positions. He lost both votings. Willem opposed Don Fernando de Belcadiz becoming the Grand Master of the Great School of Magic, but had nothing personally against Sir Kenneth McGregor, who was chosen to be a Supreme Judge.
Willem died in nondescript circumstances in Linden like his father in AC 902 at the age of 52. Rumor were that he was murdered by Flaemish purist, because his admiration of the Aalbanese Drachenfels.
Antonie Vlaardoen V
Willem Vlaardoen had no eligible children to succeed him, so the next Prince of Bergdhoven was his old cousin Antonie Vlaardoen. Antonie was grandson son of the first Prince of Bergdhoven, Jacob Vlaardoen, and the oldest son of Moritz Vlaardoen. Upon Prince Jacob's death, Moritz had been dead and Antonie was passed over for Jacob's other son Johan. Antonie had been very handsome in his earlier days, with the usual Vlaardoen characteristics: flaming red hair and brilliant pale skin combined with big blue eyes and a fine profile. When he became Prince, he was already bit grayed and stooped and his eyes had a watery coloring.
Prince Antonie was interested in politics and philosophy, and had served as a Spokesman in Parliament for both of his predecessors, Prince Andries and Prince Willem. He was ambitious, energetic and excellent political tactician. Since he had realized that Prince Willem would probably never beget an eligible heir, Antonie used his connections in the capital to ensure he was next in succession. Antonie believed his becoming Prince was a rightful return of power to Jacob and Moritz's line. He also used his time in Glantri City for studying in the library of the Great School of Magic. It is a well accepted fact that Prince Antonie was the most well red Vlaardoen in whole history of the family.
Antonie also had his dark side. He was power-hungry, arbitrary, cynical, unscrupulous, vain, self-indulgent, and a lover of luxury and splendor. He also had a problem of keeping his opinion about others to himself. And, he had one common trait with his uncle Andries: women. It has been said that he was even worse in this respect than Andries, especially since his wife died in AC 881.
In the Council of Princes, Antonie was made Viceroy of Sablestone and he absolutely hated that position. Fort Sablestone was so far away that he never visited personally there. In AC 906 when Prince Kenneth McGregor, Supreme Judge of the Council died, Antonie immediately announced his candidacy for the position, and to his great surprise he proved to be the only contender. The other princes either did not want the position or did not believe in their chances.
Antonie was ecstatic with the power he got. He was a good judge and dedicated himself for his duties. He left Bergdhoven to his son Isaac and stayed in Glantri City. But that lasted only four years, until he found out about the Radiance. After his discovery, he began to neglect his political duties and devoted his time to research and mastery of the new magic.
In AC 912, Prince Don Fernando de Belcadiz announced his resignation from the position of the Grand Master of the Great School of Magic, and Prince Antonie again declared his intention for the rank. This time he had a competitor, Prince Momai Virayana II, and Antonie won by only with a narrow marginal.
As Grand Master, Antonie could concentrate fully in researching the Radiance. At the Great School, he would only teach courses on his natural specialty of fire magic, but otherwise Antonie stayed mostly on his laboratory. This went on for eight years, until he was found dead in his laboratory in AC 920. The official cause of death was announced to be smoke inhalation. Poisoning. His last meal was found to include onions, potatoes, tomatoes and two bottles of Brolsch lager. He was 79.
Isaac Vlaardoen VI
Antonie's son Isaac was 55 years-old when he became the Prince of Bergdhoven. Unlike the other Vlaardoens, Isaac was a small, weasel of a man with thin hair and ugly features. He had suffered all his life from his father's great expectations that he could never fulfill. He had no will of his own. When his father had died, his wife Paola Rjevens ran his life for him.
Prince Isaac was chosen to be a Viceroy of Ylourgne in the Council. The following year he was chosen also as a Treasurer of the Council after Prince Owain Aendyr after the Darokin Trade Treaty scandal. Prince Isaac was not chosen because of his abilities, but because the most powerful Princes (namely Momai Virayana II, Alfonso de Belcadiz and Albrecht von Drachenfels) wanted to put the treasury in the hands of officials for the time being. Consequently Isaac did not take part in the decision-making, and in fact most of his assistants considered him to be weak in the head. One minor clerk murdered him in AC 927. He was 62.
Simon Vlaardoen VII
Isaac had no children, fortunately some would say. His 61 year-old brother Simon succeeded him as Prince. Simon was again typical Vlaardoen. When their father had died, it was suggested that Isaac should be passed over, but Simon refused this. He was not ambitious and was totally satisfied to be his brother's representative in Parliament. Of course he also wanted to avoid quarrelling with his dominating sister-in-law Paola.
Prince Simon was a skilful and shrewd politician in Parliament, but otherwise impatient and incapable of sustained effort. If some of his plans did not go right from the beginning, he gave up easily and got depressed. He also had an inclination for mysticism, which he tried to cover. He once even visited the mystics of Lhamsa. Prinz Albrecht von Drachenfels was one of his detractors in this superstitious beliefs, and once said about him: "There is something missing from him. I just don't know what."
Simon also succeeded his brother as Treasurer and Viceroy of Ylourgne. He proved to be a bit better than his brother had been, but the bureaucratic officials still continued to control the Treasury.
Simon died in AC 936 at the age 70 only after 9 years of ruling. He and his brother are the two rulers most of the Bergdhovese tend to forget when asked to list their Princes.
Pieter Vlaardoen VIII
Simon's successor was his only son Pieter, who was 43. He was again like stereotype of the Vlaardoen, except that he used only moustaches. He had been an example for younger generation of Flaems. He had six children and was a devoted family man.
Pieter understood that in his position as Prince, he had to decide everything by himself. Some called him an autocrat, since there was no decision small enough for him not to take care of. He did not delegate any matter to his assistants or representatives. His thinking about ruling was quite simple and straightforward: order and absolute obedience were basic presuppositions for the state to exist. This thinking also meant that in his time Flaemish racism reached its peak in Bergdhoven.
Prince Pieter was chosen to be a Viceroy of Ylourgne, but the position of Treasurer went to Prince Malcolm McGregor. Pieter was actually relieved, because in his rigid, narrow mind, he did not understand economics.
In AC 940, the Chancellor, Prinz Albrecht von Drachenfels died and the race for new Chancellor was on. Prince Pieter was one of the two candidates with the Alphatian Prince Cadwallon Aendyr of Blackhill. The choice between these two was not easy, as the two hated each other and were extremely racist against the other Princes, more so non-Glantrians. Finally, it was Prince Morphail Gorevitch-Woszlany who tipped the scales in favor of Pieter.
Pieter was not a great success as a Chancellor and during his time, the relations with other countries were strained. He had recalled many of the ambassadors back to Glantri but neglected to nominate new ones. He never received foreign ambassadors to Glantri personally, and on more than one occasion, diplomatic dinners were all but forgotten for the newly-arrived ambassadors in Glantri City. Luckily, his term as Chancellor ended suddenly in AC 947.
Prince Pieter died in a skating accident, when the ice broke under him and he was drowned in the age of 54.
Willem Vlaardoen IX
Pieter's oldest son, the 36 year-old Willem, succeeded him as the Prince of Bergdhoven. He was a friendly, little man, a bit plump but otherwise noble looking. He was intelligent but weak and very stubborn, well meaning but somewhat neurotic. Surprisingly, he was not a racist like his father, but his views were still strictly traditional. He was also not as hard working. Prince Willem had married Maria-Katarina Verlien, niece of Count Vexier Verlien of High Sonden, in AC 934. Their marriage was extremely happy and they were very popular couple in Bergdhoven. Unfortunately, they could not bear children.
Prince Willem was chosen to be a Viceroy of Monteleone in Council. He was not happy with this decision, because he did not like the elves. Apparently, it turned out that his not being racist meant that he was not racist towards other humans; non-humans were not included.
However, Prince Willem proved to be a good manager. He showed talent with fiscal matters and was thus chosen as Treasurer of the Council in AC 957, after Treasurer Francesco di Malapietra's election became Chamberlain of the Land.
Willem's life ended suddenly in AC 961, when he was murdered by Flaemish racists in Kopstar.
Wilfrid Vlaardoen X
Willem's younger brother Wilfrid succeeded him as Prince of Bergdhoven. Prince Wilfrid was a 48 year-old giant, nearly 2 meters tall, with a big fiery beard, although somewhat balding on the top. He unfortunately inherited his father Prince Pieter's nature.
Wilfrid was not very intelligent and yet very proud. He had a dedication for minute details—some said he was slow and needed extra time to understand things, some said he was suspicious that other people were trying to outwit him—and would not make any moves until he was absolutely and completely certain of every painstaking little issue. In the end, he was both irresolute and very inflexible about matters. Prince Charan Erewan particularly hated him, for his stupidity and stubbornness, and commented that Wilfrid was the most hated Vlaardoen since the days of Barend.
Prince Wilfrid was chosen to continue his brother's work in Treasury and in Fort Monteleone. He was not very good in these positions, being caught in the details and not being able to make command decisions. Wilfrid was also convinced of the importance of his family in Glantri's history, but found no retorts to the insults of other Princes. The only threat he could come up with against the other Princes was to withdraw to Linden, although many actually looked forward for this form of punishment he would inflict on them. Many times it was only his wife's energy and persuasion that prevented this from happening.
Wilfrid had married Magda Pieinants, daughter of Duke Edelmiro Pieinants of Fenswick, in AC 934. They had a happy marriage and Lady Magda was probably the only one that Wilfrid ever really listened to.
Wilfrid died in a heart attack in AC 972 at the age of 59. He was succeeded by his son, Vanserie Vlaardoen.
Vanserie Vlaardoen XI
Vanserie Vlaardoen was 32 years old, when he became Viscount of Linden and Prince of Bergdhoven. He and also inherited the positions of Treasurer of the Council and Viceroy of Monteleone. In AC 979, Vanserie had to relinquish the viceroyalty to Étienne d'Ambreville after his return to Glantri. Vanserie was actually relieved, because he had not like Monteleone and it diminished his work.
The Noble Line of Linden
Wilhelmina Vlaardoen b.680 d.767
Barend Vlaardoen, son of Wilhelmina and Achilles Vlaardoen. b.708 d.779
Andreis Vlaardoen, son of Barend and Maria Morend. b.733 d.784
Rodolphus Vlaardoen, son of Andreis and Theodora Rjevens. b.767 d.825
Frederick Vlaardoen, son of Andreis and Marta Pieinants. b.774 d.847
Moritz Vlaardoen, grandson of Frederick, son of Michel. b.826 d.850
Jacob Vlaardoen I, son of Willem, nephew of Andreis. b.777 d.860
Johan Vlaardoen II, son of Jacob and Fredrika Verlien. b.825 d.862
Andries Vlaardoen III, son of Jacob and Fredrika Verlien. b.826 d.882
Willem Vlaardoen IV, son of Andreis and Alexandra Pieinants. b.850 d.902
Antonie Vlaardoen V, son of Moritz and Amanda Kern b.841 d.920
Isaac Vlaardoen VI, son of Antonie and Gisela Vantte. b.865 d.927
Simon Vlaardoen VII, son of Antonie and Gisela Vantte. b.866 d.936
Pieter Vlaardoen VIII, son of Simon and Beatrix Foljanbe. b.893 d.947
Willem Vlaardoen IX, son of Pieter and Juliana Massza. b.911 d.961
Wilfrid Vlaardoen X, son of Pieter and Juliana Massza. b.913 d.972
Vanserie Vlaardoen XI, son of Wilfrid and Magda Pieinants. b.940 d.1009
Juliana Vlaardoen, daughter of Vanserie and Wilhelmine Rjevens. b.982