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This article or section refers to elements from The Dune Encyclopedia |
The Regency[1] (1604–1680 AG) was a temporary Landsraad-led government set up in the Imperium in 1604, when Emperor Henoor III died without immediate heirs.[2]
History[]
Although Henoor III's death rendered the ruling House of Alman Corrino extinct, there were numerous potential claimants among his more distant relatives, the Imperial Cousines. One of the first to attempt to seize power was Duke Abulurd VI Harkonnen, who bribed Col. Bashar Nadab Nadar, commander of the Sardaukar, to institute a "popular draft" of Harkonnen over the other potential successors. Abulurd was able to purchase much support from the poorer Houses Major. There were also several other contenders.[2]
The situation nearly escalated into civil war and could have led the Imperium to disintegrate. Count Philippos Atreides calmed things down by persuading a special session of the Landsraad that time was required to sort out the different claims, and that a Landsraad-controlled Regency was needed in the meantime. Abulurd VI Harkonnen strongly objected to this idea and was on the verge of attacking the Landsraad session when Philippos challenged him to kanly. The match was held before the assembled Houses and saw Philippos emerge victorious, killing the duke. House Harkonnen was then stripped of their titles and possessions, and exiled.[2] The first regent of the Regency was Sa'ad Khûmali, President of the Landsraad.[1]
While in exile, Abulurd's grandson Iraklii Harkonnen used his trade of weapons to stimulate civil disobedience, small-scale civil wars, revolts, religious pogroms, and political unrest. In the end, Iraklii created so much chaos that the Regency's fifth regent, Maria I Mustami, was forced to resign her position in 1680. Her successor, Damiano Fulgencio, lasted only two weeks before also resigning.[2] With Fulgencio's resignation, the Regency collapsed.[1] The only government that existed on an Imperium-wide basis in the years that followed was a loosely organized committee of Houses Major.[2]
Iraklii Harkonnen eventually rooted out a distant Corrino heir, Prince Corrin bin Alman bin Henoor. Iraklii promoted the restoration of the Corrinos as solution to the ills of the Imperium and the Houses Major elected Corrin as Emperor Corrin IV in 1701. Corrin's accession meant the end of House Harkonnen's exile and greatly increased the status of Iraklii and his descendants.[2]
References[]
| Preceded by Monarchic rule (House of Alman Corrino) |
Imperial government 1604–1680 AG |
Succeeded by Interregnum (1680–1701 AG), then monarchic rule (First House of Corrin Corrino) |