Philippe Villayn I

Philippe Villayn I was the second Aldurian Emperor, and during his reign, the Premier Empire d'Alduria turned into Empire Republicàin d'Alduria. He held a reign which was de-jure 37 years long, and de-facto 31 years long, which makes him the second-longest serving Aldurian Head of State. He has been generally considered as a meek Emperor under strong influence of his father, his father-in-law, and experienced nobles and political experts like Archduke Matthus Finus, Prime Minister von Hindenburg, and others. But this unkind portrayal of the Emperor could partially be attributed that he reigned under harsh conditions, as his reign began with the arrests of the Council of True Aldurians, was marked by the rise of one opposition group after another, countless conspiracies, and an end which consolidated the Empire just one year prior to the death of the second Emperor.

Philippe Villayn I was the son of Arch-duke Danan Villayn, the political adventurer and Aldurian national-hero who brought down the 230 year old Aldurian republic. He was married with the daughter of John Stuart in a political marriage to strengthen the bonds between the two dynasties, and when the aged and senile John died in 2502, Philippe was recognised as the second Emperor.