Mikhail II Shakhovskoy

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Grand Duke Mikhail II Shakhovskoy
Mikhail_II.jpg
Date of Birth:
January 7, 1084 A.S.
Date of Death:
December 12, 1141 A.S.
Nationality:
Taraskovyan
Occupation/Duty:
Currently in exile in Menelmacar
Origins:
Son to Grand Duke Mikhail I Shakhovskoy and Grand Duchess Ekaterina Shakhovskaya of Tarasovka


His Highness Mikhail II was the second of the three children of Grand Duke Mikhail I and was declared as heir to the Sword by the latter.

As all male members of the Dynasty, Mikhail II was raised in a military style, denied the luxury of the palace to sleep on straw, covered with rags and horse saddle for pillow. Throughout his childhood, military education was mingled with constant lectures on politics and on ‘how to govern in order not to end up getting executed in a coup-d’état’.

At the age of eighteen, he enrolled into the military and served in the Airborne, climbing ranks from a simple private to lieutenant. Once his service at the army done, Mikhail II applied to join the Alexander Guard (a traditional move done by most heirs to the throne) and was admitted into the elite unit. After the end of his several years long training in the Guard, Mikhail II graduated as Leib-Lieutenant and quit the unit to concentrate on politics.

His father assigned him to several posts, before finally establishing him at the head of the Taraskovyan Department of Intelligence, a then rather small department that was charged with collecting information abroad. Under the wise guidance of the then Archduke Mikhail, the TDI raised itself to great heights and began playing a powerful role in the Grand Ducal politics (some rumours suggest that the TDI was partially responsible for triggering several conflicts involving the GDODAD, in which the Grand Duchy usually profited more than the alliance). Archduke Mikhail gained the status of High Councilor of Duchy (the highest legislative and executive body at the time), which allowed him to further spread his influence and push forward several reforms that granted more rights and power to the people through the Council of Duchy (a unicameral parliament). These reforms were dubbed by some analysts as ‘not so liberal, but still’ policies.

The Grand Duke was known to be a patriot of his nation and is attributed with the famous statement: “I fear I cannot care about others, for my obligations are to care about my country.” He preferred to stay out of any major international events for in as long as they did not yield any profit for the Grand Duchy. His Highness was also very skeptical about big alliances that imposed strict rules on their members and, thus, limited the sovereignty of the Grand Duchy.

Grand Duke Mikhail II fell during the battle at Tin-Vilena during the Aphyr Conflict, his death putting an end to the Grand Duchy and marking the beginning of the Federation. As of today, the only survivor of the family is Archduchess Vethara.