Prince Jan III of Knootcap
| Prince Jan III of Knootcap | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||
|
| Preceded by: Prince Jan II of Knootcap |
Stadtholder 1761-1800 |
Succeeded by: Der Angst occupation |
Prince Jan III of Knootcap was the son of stadtholder Prince Jan II of Knootcap . He was the last Stadhouder of the United Provinces of Knootoss. He was also the leader of the conservative faction in Knootian politics.
Jan III was born at The Hague, the son of Prince Jan II of Knootcap and Archduchess Yaroslava of Taraskovya. He was 17 years old when his father passed away in 1760. Jan III assumed the position of stadtholder (chief executive and military commander) in 1761 after a short regency by his mother Yaroslava.
Although he was well-intentioned his rule saw the further economic decline of the Knootian Republic, as corruption became widespread and foreign competition and protectionism drove many Knootian merchants out of business. The year 1795 was especially disastrous for Knootoss as the Knootian East India Company, rocked by a scandal of corruption and theft, had to declare bankruptcy.
When a band of young revolutionaries challenged his authority, Jan removed his court to Gelre, a province remote of the politcal centre. After having moved his court he took no further action and the Stadhouder became a non-entity as different factions strove to grab power in political games of subversion, assasination and bribery - only to be crushed by the well-oiled war machine of Der Angst five years later.
Jan III was forced to flee and died in exile. In 1810, his son, Marc-Alexander of Knootcap would return to Knootoss and become the Knootian Steward.
