The Household of His Royal and Serene Majesty the King of Silar
Home
The Household of His Royal and Serene Majesty the King of Silar is a body of royal officials, ministers, and servants who perform duties directly for the Monarch of Silar and the Queen Consort. They care for the personal needs of the Monarch and Queen Consortand tend to the day to day matters that concern them.
The Monarch of SilarThe Monarchy of Silar is a constitutionally established and limited monarchy whose membership is elected by the College of Lords Regent upon the death or resignation of the Monarch. The members of the newly elected monarch's family are granted royal title and status which they retain for all their lives. The Monarch retains the power of veto and to issue writs of law. These writs, however, may not levy tax or establish new criminal law and may not circumvent or override established law. Most writs are ceremonial grants of title and nobility and are meant only to take "real" legal action where emergency requires it. Use of these writs for other purpose may cause them to be overturned by a court.
The Monarchy was established in 1608 AD as a result of an alliance of necessity of the three feudal powes of Silar. The elected character of the monarchy arose as a result of the dispute over which monarchical family would rule the unified nation. The fact the Monarch was elected allowed each of these major lordly families to maintain their individual regional powers beneath a neutral, common ruler. The Family of the Monarch is raised to toyal status and put into the House Regalis.
While the "privy" possessions of the Monarch is passed from blood heir to blood heir, the "Royal" or "Crown" possessions are passed to each new Monarch. Currently, the Royal Possessions of the Throne of Silar include several corporations, the Crown Jewels, Royal Palaces and Residences, the entire collection housed in the Library of the High Palace, and billions of dollars invested in various banks, trusts, and investments. The current estimate of the assets invested in the Royal Possessions is about 1,489,453,500,000 Silaran Crowns ($705 billion USD). There are no current estimates of the Privy Possessions of King Pius Alartho and his family. The official residence of the Monarch is the High Palace in Silar Demesne which also serves as the seat of the government and the primary meeting house of High Parliament. The following are also official residences of the Silaran Monarch:
1. Maris Stella Palace, Camen City, Angle, Silar (Official Residence)
2. Celeste Palace, Norse, Nore, Silar (Official Residence)
3. Endenburh Palace, Frankelton, Wenten, Silar (Official Residence)
4. Silvan Palace, Woodwich, Wenten, Silar (Private Residence)
5. Nemen House, Mapleburough, Wenten, Silar (A Privy Property of P. Alartho)
6. Fallhaven House, Fallhaven, Nore, Silar (Private Residence)
7. Edward House (Private Residence)
Official Residences are the official seats of the Monarch's authority in the individual Sovereignities and are occupied on a rotating schedule by the Monarch. Each includes a throne room and other areas open to the public, including museums and sometimes government offices. Private residences are meant as private retreats for the Monarch and his family. They are, as a rule, not open to the public. Edward House's location is also not disclosed to the public to preserve it as a special place of peace for the Monarch as well as the Lord Chancellor. Nemen House was the private residence of King Pius prior to his ascension to the Monarchy and has been retained as a Privy Property of his family.
King Pius AlarthoHis Royal and Serene Majesty Pius Alartho, By God's Grace, High King of Silar and its High Commonwealth, Defender and Protector of the Holy and Catholic FaithPius Alartho (born Luther Alartho on January 3, 1948 in Mapleburough, Wenten, Silar) is the constitutional monarch of the High Commonwealth of Silar and Protector of the Autonomous Monastic Community of Mount Saint Benedict. He was elected to the Silaran Monarchy on August 5, 2007 and was crowned on August 8th of the same year.
Pius Alartho's career has included many other milestones than the Monarchy. He served in the Royal Silaran Navy, rising to the rank of Captain. He also holds a doctorate of Laws from the then University of St. Thomas Aquinas (now the 'Royal University of St. Thomas Aquinas) as well as a Bachelor of Sacred Theology, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Master of Laws from the same institution. He served as a judicial auditor, Promoter of Justice, as well as a Judge, and eventually Chief Justice, of the Upper Court of the Justiciary of Wenten as well as a tenure as a High Justice for the High Justiciary of the Throne.
He is currently in the 5th year of his reign. He is married to Her Serene Majesty, Lily Alartho, Queen Consort. They have 3 sons: Princes Eric (35 years), Thomas (27 years), and Albert (24 years); and 2 daughters: Princesses Mary (40 years) and Carrie (24 years). He has one brother, Duke Fredrick Alartho (58 years).
Early LifeLuther Alartho was born on January 3, 1948 in family home in Mapleburough to Albert and Emily Alartho. Albert Alartho was a wealthy businessman, the heir to the Alartho corporate dynasty which administrated Silar's largest mining and forestry cooperation, Sila Natural Resources. The Alartho's were a conservative Anglican family and raised their sons, Luther and later Fredrick, in that tradition.
The young Luther was educated at the Woodwich Lutheran Academy, a distinguished Lutheran boarding school in Woodwich, Wenten. He graduated with his high school diploma in 1966. His father had, through his own connections, arranged for Luther to attend business school at the Royal University of Silar in Silar Demesne. However, Luther had other plans. Unbeknownst to his father, the youth had met begun studying theology using Woodwich Academy's impressive library as a resource. Luther, in the midst of his studies, had converted to Catholicism (entered the Catholic Church on November 3rd, 1965). Letters between Luther and his father show a great family distaste for what Albert had described as a "despicably popish idea, one which shall surely end in the diabolical" and demanded his son renounce his faith. Luther, however, refused and became estranged from his father. He chose to attend the University of St. Thomas Aquinas, a college in Camen City, Angle which was administrated by the local Province of Dominican Friars on a scholarship provided by the order.
Education and Naval CareerWhile at St. Thomas, Luther changed his name to 'Pius,' forever breaking ties with his father. He studied for two degrees at the time, one in theology and one in law, and soon befriended one his professors, a Father John Carrel, O.P., who encouraged him to consider a religious vocation. In 1966, towards the end of his freshman year, he announced his intent to enter the Dominican Order. This was, however, short lived as he soon met the young Lily Pen, the woman he would eventually wed. After consulting with Fr. Carrel, his application to the Dominicans was dropped and he and Lily began to date. Also, to finance schooling, Pius joined St. Thomas Aquinas' Naval Midshipmen's Corps, a new program intended to recruit college students for service in the Silaran Navy. In the Spring on 1970, Pius Alartho was awarded two degrees: A Bachelors in Sacred Theology and Laws from the University of Saint Thomas and was granted a commission in the Silaran Navy, receiving the rank of Subaltern. He wed Lily a years later on May 2nd, 1971. They had their first daughter, Mary Alartho the following year (born September 16th, 1972).
Subaltern Alartho's first assignment was on the RSS Eagle, a frigate, as a supply officer. After four years of service, the then-Commandant Alartho was assigned as the Executive Officer the RSS Rook, a frigate stationed off Silar's Central Sea coast with a port-of-call of Camen City. The RSS Rook was one of the ships involved in the Carrier Group 5 crisis of 1974. During the crisis, in which a nuclear missile submarine (RSS St. George) in Carrier Group 5, of which the RSS Rook was a member, was commandeered by the rebel group The Revolution's Hand. Following the RSS St. George's hijacking, the other 10 ships in the task force, including the RSS Rook, were systematically held captive as the nation was held at the figurative gunpoint of the RSS St. George's ballistic missiles. It was in this crisis that Commandant Alartho showed his value, successfully retaking the RSS Rook and, through a combination of military strikes and negotiation, was able to lead the recovery of the
entire Carrier Group.
Commandant Alartho returned to Silar a hero, receiving the Silar Cross, the Silar military's highest honor, and being named to the Order of King Georges Alban. Commandant Alartho was promoted to Captain and was being slated to be put on track for an Admirality. However, this would change when Captain Alartho met Judge Anthony More, the Presiding Judge of Wenten's Justiciary Upper Court. Judge More offered Alartho a position in the Justiciary as a Judicial Auditor, a lawyer responsible for representing the interests of a judge and performing independant investigation and presenting independent evidence for the judge overseeing a trial. Judge More, a wealthy gentleman, offered to pay for Captain Alartho to complete his education and earn not only a Master's in Law, but a full doctorate if he desired it. Alartho, eager to get out of the Navy life, accepted. He retired his commission and was honorably discharged from the Royal Silaran Navy in 1975.
Law Career and Lord RegencySir Alartho returned to the University of St. Thomas Aquinas to attend their law school where his old mentor, Fr. Carrel, was now rector. He studied for another four years, being awarded his Master's of Laws in 1977 and Doctorate of Laws in 1979. He moved to his native Mapleburough where Judge More was judge the same year. He worked as the Judicial Auditor for 2 years and Promoter of Justice for another 3. In 1984, he was named to the Bench for the Wenten Justiciary's Upper Court where he served for 10 years before being named to the High Justiciary's Upper Court in 1994. His career in the High Justiciary was long and the man was highly respected in government, even being considered for the position of Lord Chancellor in 2000 though he was eventually turned down, instead being named a Lord Regent that year and granted the title of "Count." He was elected Lord Prior Regent in 2006. As Lord Prior Regent, he oversaw the government after the death of Queen Lucy Commonton, January 3rd, 2007. The interregnum lasted almost 3 months, one of the longest in Silaran modern history. However, after much debate and hundreds of ballots, two-thirds of the Lords Regent-Electors voted that Judge Alartho ascend to the Throne on August 5. He accepted, resigning his judicial career and was crowned August 8 by Cardinal-Patriarch Gregory Recker in the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Benedict.
ReignPius Alartho has been considered a rather popular King over the 5 years of his reign. Though he has taken several controversial stances in defense of Church-supporting government policies, including direct combat of a measure that would amend the Royal Charter to allow the taxation of the Church, he is seen as equitable and fair, well informed by his years as a member of the judiciary.
King Alartho's reign has been marked by an expansion of both the military, especially the Navy, and higher education systems as well as an expansion of Silar's diplomatic and international relations. He has named 10 Royal Universities, most notably his Alma Mater, the University of St. Thomas Aquinas, and commissioned 5 new naval vessels as well as ordered an update of the navy's fleet.
Personal Life
The father of five, Pius Alartho strictly maintains an active private life out of the public eye. While he makes a point of be available to the government and public, he and his family make extensive use of their private residences, especially Nemen House where the family had lived for many years.
Pius Alartho is an outdoorsman, unsurprising for his upbringing in rural Wenten. He enjoys hiking, camping, fly fishing, and the occasional bird hunt. He and his sons make a camping and fishing trip in Wenten every fall.
Retaining his conversion, Pius is a devout Catholic of the Silaran rite. He retains his old mentor, Fr. Carrel, as a private confessor and chaplain who often travels with the family to provide them with daily Masses and spiritual care. Pius is also good friends with Cardinal Recker, who often accompanies the Monarch on his state visits and enjoys a position as one of the Throne's closest advisers.
Lily Pen AlarthoQueen Consort of the High Commonwealth of SilarAugust 8, 2007 - Present
Born: September 4, 1948 (Aged 64 years)
Spouse: King Pius Alartho (m. 1971)
Children:
Princess Mary (1972- )
Prince Eric (1977- )
Prince Thomas (1980- )
Princess Carrie (1982- )
Prince Albert (1990- )
Religion: Silaran Rite Catholic
His Royal and Serene Majesty's Privy Chamberlain and Master of the HouseholdIncumbent: Sir Norton Hillhouse, KTServing at the pleasure of the Monarch, the Privy Chamberlain and Master of the Household is the Household's chief of staff. He is responsible for the day to day business of the Household and also certifies the death of the Monarch.
His Royal and Serene Majesty's Privy SecretaryIncumbent: Dame Catherine a WillThe Privy Secretary performs secretarial and administrative duties for the Royal and organizes the official schedule of the Royal. They also maintain the Royal's personal library and archives. They are also responsible for liaisoning with the press in regards to the affairs of the Royal.
His Royal and Serene Majesty's Privy BurserIncumbent: Dame Jillian HighlanThe Privy Burser oversees the financial concerns of the Household.
His Royal and Serene Majesty's Privy CounselIncumbent: Sir Thomas Right, KJThe Privy Counsel attends to the legal concerns of the Household and is the official attorney of the Royal. In addition, HR&SM's Privy Counsel oversees the body of HR&SM's Counsels who are lawyers given the honor by grant of the Monarch. Most of these have few real duties, though they may be called to serve the Privy Counsel.
His Royal and Serene Majesty's Privy Herald and Bearer of the Armor and BannerIncumbent: The Honorable Lord Jack LilltonThe Privy Herald and Bearer of the Armor and Banner sees to the personal heraldry and genealogical concerns of the Royal. They also announce the Royal on official visits when the Lord Herald does not hold the right or is not exercising it.
His Royal and Serene Majesty's Rectory of the Privy chapelIncumbent: The Reverend Father John Carrel, O.P.The Rector of the Privy Chapel, or the Privy Chaplain, sees to the spiritual care of the Royal and is their confessor and spiritual director.
The Master of His Royal and Serene Majesty's Privy WardrobeIncumbent: Sir Boris WhiteThe Master of His Royal and Serene Majesty's Privy Wardrobe watches over the jewelry, clothing, and other personal effects of the Monarch and attends to the purchase and care of the Monarch's wardrobe.
The Mistress of Her Serene Majesty's Privy WardrobeIncumbent: Dame Lucy HighThe Mistress of Her Serene Majesty's Privy Wardrobe watches over the jewelry, clothing, and other personal effects of the Queen Consort and attends to the purchase and care of the Queen Consort's wardrobe.
His Royal and Serene Majesty's Privy Apothecary and SurgeonIncumbent: Sir George VarnumHR&SM's Privy Apothecary and Surgeon sees to the personal health of the Monarch and Queen Consort and contracts specialist physicians to see to special medical needs. He is also involved in the certification of the Monarch's death.
The Artists, Poets, and Scholars of His Royal and Serene Majesty's HouseholdThese honorary members of the Household are those who the Royal wishes to specially honor achievement in artistic field. Often, the honor is returned with a commission by the honored artist. Tutors to the children of Royals are traditionally given the title of Scholar of the Household.
His Royal and Serene Majesty's Privy CuratorsThese persons care for larges pieces of personal property such as estates, companies, etc., belonging to the Royal.
His Royal and Serene Majesty's Gentlemen-at-armsThose Court Guards assigned to the personal protection of the Royal.
His Royal and Serene Majesty's Aides-de-CampThe Aides-de-Camp are the military advisors of the Household as well as the officers charged with managing the military affairs of a Royal.
The Gentlemen and Ladies of His Royal and Serene Majesty's HouseholdAn honorary title, these men and women are the close friends of the Monarch and Queen Consort.
His Royal and Serene Majesty's Privy EsquiresThe Privy Esquires are the personal servants of the Household as well as official couriers.