Coat of arms of House Holswig-Schliestein, the current ruling dynasty of the Empire
House Holswig-Schliestein, also known as the House of the Third Wilhelm, in honour of its founder, Emperor Wilhelm III "the Wise", is the current ruling imperial house of the Empire of Man, and the immediate family of the current emperor, Karl Franz.[1a]
The coat of arms adopted by Emperor Wilhelm III is such a common sight throughout the Imperial capital of Altdorf that many visitors confuse it with the city's own device. The knightly helm and crown has been associated with emperors since the days of Siegfried I, a particularly bellicose ruler who fought to the last at the Battle of Fates in 732 IC, but the addition of a rampant Griffon atop the crown was instituted by Magnus the Pious upon his victorious return from Kislev and election as emperor after the Great War Against Chaos.[1a]
Magnus the Pious also began the tradition of adding a shield with the first initial of the reigning emperor emblazoned upon it. This shield was blocked in plain black to remind Magnus that one day even he must surrender to Morr, the god of death.[1a]
Notable Members[]
- Wilhelm III "the Wise" - First emperor of the house and the founder of the House Holswig-Schliestein's imperial bloodline.
- Matthias IV - Great grandfather of Karl Franz. Disappeared and was never seen again.
- Mattheus II - Son of Matthias IV. First emperor to draft a democratic constitution for the Empire that was rejected by its nobility.
- Isabella von Holswig-Schliestein - Sister of the current emperor, Karl Franz.
- Immanuel-Ferrand Holswig-Schliestein - Uncle of Karl Franz and member of the Council of State.
- Karl Franz I - Current emperor and head of House Holswig-Schiestein.
- Maria-Luise von Walfen - Empress and consort of Karl Franz.
- Prince Luitpold - Illegitimate bastard son of Karl Franz and heir to the Principality of Altdorf.
- Princess Alia - Only daughter of Karl Franz.
- Wolfgang Holswig-Abenauer - Eldest son of Isabella von Holswig-Schliestein
Possible Members[]
- Isabella von Holswig-Schliestein, the sister of Emperor Karl Franz, recalled an aunt of hers who employed a female Ogre named Megg Roth. It is unknown from what side of the family this aunt originated.[2a]
- Aekold Helbrass - The Chaos Lord and Champion of Tzeentch Aekold Helbrass is claimed to have once been the son of the Graf of Reikland. Because his fall to Chaos occurred in 2492 IC, there is a strong possibility that he may have been part of House Holswig-Schliestein, the royal family which has ruled the Reikland and the Empire since the time of Emperor Wilhelm III beginning in 2429 IC.[3a]
Trivia[]
The name of House Holswig-Schliesteine is based on Schleswig-Holstein, the northernmost state in Germany on the border with Denmark.