Difference between revisions of "James MacAlister"

Revision as of 02:44, 1 September 2006

James Adair Ádhamh Gille Iosa MacAlister, the Prince of Fireforge, is the first cousin of High King Owain. He is the son of Owain's aunt, Eduduwel, and the late Aed, Duke of Farquharson. He has held the title of Prince of Fireforge since the Shattering and is styled His Most Esteemed Highness. Constitutionally, he is the third in line for the Throne but the seventh in the order of precedence.

The Prince is known as something of a quiet family man and, while he does some charity work, he has never maintained a high profile outside of Fireforge. He carries out a relatively light schedule of royal duties but is often praised as a devoted husband and father.

Birth

James was born at Farquharson. His father was Lord Aed MacAlister, the son of the Duke and Duchess of Farquharson and later the Duke of Farquharson. His mother was Eduduwel MacAlister, born Eduduwel ni Cunedda, the third child and second daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Tasat. He was baptized by Rev. Gartnait Farrell of the United Presbyterian Church of the Resurgent Dream. His godparents were the Duke and Duchess of Tasat, his maternal grandparents.

Early Life

In 1971, James's father became Duke of Farquharson after the death of his own father. This entitled James to the style of Lord. Previously, James had been styled only The Honorable. James did not receive a further improvement in his formal style until the death of his father in 1991, when he became Duke of Farquharson.

Education

Like other children of his rank, James's early education was handled privately by the family. Until he was eight years old, his education was entrusted to a governess, Ciannait Paisley. From the age of eight to seventeen, he was educated by a number of specialized tutors as well as by his parents who both took a personal role in his instruction. James's education emphasized literature, Latin, Scots Gaelic, the classics, Presbyterian theology, and the military arts.

Created Prince of Fireforge

James was created Prince of Fireforge almost immediately following the Shattering in late 2005. His investiture took place at Ferguson Palace in Skypeak, Fireforge. It was a surprisingly non-controversial event with no local protests of any size.

The Prince of Fireforge, while required to assent to the will of the democratic government of the principality, is nonetheless intimately involved in affairs of state. Ever since his investiture, James has attended to these matters diligently even as he has rigorously maintained aloof from partisan politics, at least within Fireforge.