Dercian Imperial coronation Tradition / Ritual in Mirateia | World Anvil

Dercian Imperial coronation

The Dercian Imperial Coronation is a new institution compared to the centuries of monarchy in the Dercian region. Only coming into its current state following the death of Empress Krea Astalles and the following rulers decided that they would follow the precedence that she had set and as a way to remember the first Imperial ruler of the new Empire.   The coronation is mostly there to show the public that the new monarch has taken the throne as part of the Dercian tradition that the heir to the throne automatically becomes the next monarch the moment the old monarch draws their last breath.

History

The monarch and the escort follow the same route that Empress Krea Astalles took when she rode through the capital back in 1125, whereafter she declared herself empress of the newly created Dercian Empire and afterwards the successors have followed the same route even during the civil war the rulers would return to Pearlhal to recreate the route and ceremony.

Execution

Before the coronation begins, the monarch will be escorted to the camp of the 9th Legion that in the time leading up to the coronation have been transferred to a camp outside Pearlhal the capital of the Dercian empire.   When the time arrives, the monarch will be escorted by five cohorts of the Legion into the city, riding on their warhorse and along the route through the city at intervals; young girls will be standing, throwing flowers up in the air over the parading soldiers.   The possession through the capital where it's going to end in front of the Royal Palace of Dercia, where the monarch will get off the horse and walk alone up the stairs the monarch will face the soldiers and the crowd of civilians that would have gathered beyond the soldiers. Here the monarch will hold a speech.   After the speech, the Primus Pilus of the first cohort will step forward and up the stairs carrying a cushion with the Imperial crown and the symbol of the royal power of the The Astalles dynasty the sword Silverlight, to which the monarch will take the crown and place it on their head and then lift the sword above their head.   With the sword pointing towards the sky, they would call out for the goddess Mara to show herself and, with the second repeat of the sentence, a bright beam of light will appear from the sky and reach down to the ground in front of the monarch where Mara will take a look up and down the person in front of her and afterwards look into their eyes and give them a confirming nod where after Mara will step aside.   Afterwards, the future monarch will wave towards the crowd and enter the palace, ready to rule the Dercian Empire.  
The Legions swear that they shall faithfully execute the Emperors commands, that they shall never desert the service, and remaind faithful to the Empire.
- The 9th 1st cohort.

Components and tools

The only physical items used for the coronation are the Imperial crown and the Silverlight, the sword symbolising the royal power of the Astalles family.   The monarch will normally use the person's military uniform. However, some of the monarchs' clothing have, throughout the centuries, varied from much plainer and more practical clothing to highly decorated clothes and armour, typically a way for the monarch to symbolise the standpoint of the monarch.

Participants

The main participants for the coronation are the heir to the throne, but other people such as the Primus Pilus of the first cohort in the 9th Legion.    The goddess Mara also plays a major role during the coronation.   The population of the capital is participating,watching the possession march through the city.

Observance

While there is no set date for when the coronation has to take place after the death of the old monarch, the heir will typically set a specific period for mourning and remembering. For the Kingdom of Dercia before the Empire, the period typically were between five and fourteen days, during the time of the Empire, the remembrance period were not observed as due to the death of Empress Krea Astalles the Empire were thrown into a decade long civil war called The Decade of 5 Emperors.  
I say my lord, I dont know what I have done to deserve such a punishment as to be forced to watch the corornation of yet another of these barbarian heretics. If you ask me, they are placing way to much emphasis on their military, earlier today I was passing time in an ale house where I heard some young boys talking about how they could not wait for them to be able to join the legions.  
- Ibraghian diplomat.
Primary Related Location
Related Organizations
Related Ethnicities
Attendance
800+ soldiers and officers
A large part of the city guard
Several thousands civilians
Trivia
  • Goddess Mara first attended the coronation when Malthin II  became Emperor.
  • During the coronation, it's the only time sections of the armed forces are allowed within the capital
Mara   Flower girls along the route
Young flower girls by Alexei Harlamov
  Silverlight

Comments

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May 12, 2023 13:42 by Bart Weergang

What happens if the goddes Mara does not appear?

May 12, 2023 15:10

No one knows yet as she first showed up when Malthin II took the throne, so the next one who can test what happens if she doesn't show up is Ira :)

May 12, 2023 23:50 by Bart Weergang

Aha, well based on what i've read so far, Ira seems to be okay with Mara, as she's doing everything a god can do to keep her boyfriend alive. Also I guess it will take many many many years before that will happen as, as far as I understood her dad isn't that old yet. right?

May 13, 2023 10:38

He is old. Unless hit by sickness or something, he should still have around 60 years left, based on the lifespan of their people.

Jun 1, 2023 19:43

Thank you for your beautiful article. Here is a small badge for your participation.  

  I like the idea of the common people attending the coronation and the goddess giving her blessings with a ray of light.

Stay imaginative and discover Blue´s Worlds, Elaqitan and Naharin.
Jun 2, 2023 09:29

Thanks :) Thats a pretty badge :o