The Glory of the Rosen Clan - part 2
The Decline of the Rosen Clan - Episode 11 | Henry had eight daughters, in addition to his sons, each of whom lived a life blessed with happiness. One daughter was promised in marriage to a middle counselor at the age of eight. Yet, with the rebellion among the nobles mentioned earlier, circumstances shifted, and she became the wife of a deputy prime minister, bearing him many noble sons. Another daughter became the consort of the Emperor. She bore a prince who was made the Crown Prince and later ascended to the throne. As both the daughter of Lord Henry and the Mother of the Nation, there is little need […]
The Glory of the Rosen Clan - part 1
The Decline of the Rosen Clan - Episode 10 | It was not Henry alone who attained the heights of success; the entire Rosen family flourished alongside him. Albert, the heir, was appointed Minister of the Interior and General; the second son, Edmund, held the titles of Middle Counselor and Deputy General; Martin, the third son, served as Lieutenant General; and Edward, the eldest grandson, became a Major General. The family’s influence extended to such an extent that sixteen of the nobles were of the Rosen house, along with over thirty courtiers, and more than sixty officials scattered across various provinces and government ministries. It was as if no one […]
Short-haired Boys
The Decline of the Rosen Clan - Episode 9 | No matter how wise a king may be or how skillfully a regent or chancellor governs, there are always those small-minded individuals who whisper insults and cast blame behind closed doors. Yet during the height of Lord Henry's reign, not a soul dared speak ill of the Rosen clan. The reason was simple. As part of Lord Henry's scheme, he gathered about three hundred boys, all around the age of fifteen. Their hair was cropped short, and they were dressed in bright red robes. These boys served the duke and roamed the capital in droves. If any one of them […]
Baptism and Greater Prosperity
The Decline of the Rosen Clan - Episode 8 | In 1168, at the age of 51, Lord Henry fell gravely ill. Driven by a desire to escape death's grasp, he finally received baptism. Whether it was the grace of this act or not, his illness swiftly faded, and he was able to live out his days to a ripe old age. Although Lord Henry formally retired from the world of politics after this, his influence remained considerable throughout the rest of his life. At that time, the people's loyalty to the House of Rosen was like trees swaying in the wind. The reverence they showed was akin to a […]
Sea Bass
The Decline of the Rosen Clan - Episode 7 | It is said that the prosperity of the Rosen family is due to the divine blessings of the Corvus Magnus Shrine. When Henry was still a provincial governor, he once sailed from the family's original estate to visit the shrine. During the journey, a large sea bass suddenly leaped into the boat. The ascetic monk leading the pilgrimage declared,"This is a sign of favor from the deity who dispatched Corvus Magnus. You must eat it quickly."Henry responded,"There is a tale from the oriental lands where a white fish jumped into the king’s boat, a sign of good fortune. This, too, […]
Henry’s Rise to Power
The Decline of the Rosen Clan - Episode 6 | William rose to the rank of Chief Justice and passed away at the age of 58, on January 15, 1153. His legitimate son, Henry, succeeded him. In July 1156, when the Prime Minister of the time rebelled, Henry, then the governor of a coastal province, sided with Emperor Constantine II and distinguished himself in service. As a result, he was appointed to govern a more crucial coastal province. During the noble rebellion in December 1159, Henry once again supported the emperor and crushed the rebel forces. “It is not a one-time achievement. The reward should be generous,” they said. The […]
William as a Poet
The Decline of the Rosen Clan - Episode 5 | In time, William's children were also appointed as military officers in charge of the palace's security, and were even granted permission to attend court. By then, the nobles could no longer shun their presence. On one occasion, William made the journey to the capital from his estate. The Arch-Emperor Theodosius inquired of him, “How fares the coastal scenery of your homeland?”In response, William composed a brief poem, describing how the waves, driven by the wind along the shore, glistened in the night’s scenery, skillfully using techniques such as giving the words a double meaning. The Arch-Emperor was greatly impressed and […]
The Ambush in the Imperial Court - part 3
The Decline of the Rosen Clan - Episode 4 | In the days following the feast celebrating the harvest, as feared, the nobles turned on William in unison."To attend an official banquet while wearing a sword and to enter the court accompanied by armed guards is a violation of the law. These rules, established long ago by imperial decree, are sacred and unchanging. Yet, William, despite being a subject, stationed an armed warrior—his so-called retainer—in the court’s outer garden and appeared at the banquet with a sword at his waist. Both actions are unprecedented acts of disorder and go against established customs. For this, he should not escape punishment. His […]
The Ambush in the Imperial Court - part 2
The Decline of the Rosen Clan - Episode 3 | William, prompted by the Emperor, performed a dance. The courtiers, however, began to mock him by singing satirical songs, poking fun at his physical traits and the rural lifestyle of his family. Although the Rosen family were descendants of Emperor Hadrian, their estate had long been far from the capital, and William’s condition, a slight squint, made him the target of their ridicule. There was little William could do in the face of this cruel harassment. The evening's festivities of music and dance were still ongoing, but he quietly decided to leave. Calling over a maidservant, he handed her his […]
The Ambush in the Imperial Court - part 1
The Decline of the Rosen Clan - Episode 2 | The one who succeeded was William Rosen. While serving as governor of an important coastal region, William, at the command of Emperor Emeritus Theodosius I, oversaw the construction of a grand cathedral, which he dedicated as an offering. It is said that the cathedral housed 1,001 statues of saints. This took place in the year 1131. the Emperor Emeritus, greatly pleased by William’s dedication, rewarded him with new lands and granted him permission to ascend to the imperial court. William was thirty-six years old. However, the nobles, jealous of William's ascent as a man of martial lineage, sought to obstruct […]