Samuel II
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Following the tragic death of his father, Daniel I, young Prince Samuel ascended to the throne as Emperor Samuel II. The new Emperor's first act was to publicly visit his namesake and uncle - the former Emperor Samuel I - at Saulkrasti Castle. With his uncle's public blessing, which marked the former emperor's first and last public appearance following his abdication, Samuel II began a program to thoroughly modernize the Empire's armed forces and to establish diplomatic relations with other nations.
Under Samuel II's 26-year reign the Empire established a blue water navy, making the transition to steel-hulled, steam-powered warships in the early 1860s. In addition, the army developed modern infantry, artillery and cavalry units.
The greatest crisis of Samuel's reign came when Peter Courtland attempted his coup against the government of New Virginia in the Confederation of Soveriegn States and fled to the unclaimed northern territories. When those territories proclaimed independence as the Dominion of Upper Virginia in 1862 many within the Empire and the Confederation called for military action against Upper Virginia to reincorporate it into the Empire. A series of border skirmishes brought the Dominion, the Empire and the Confederation to the brink of war.
Samuel II, however, refused to rush into war and opened direct negotiations with the Upper Virginian leaders and the President of the Confederation. As a result of his efforts, a settlement was reached and both the Empire and the Confederation recognized Upper Virginia's independence.
Samuel II died at early age, without an heir, from complications due to pneumonia. He was succeeded by his brother, Daniel II.
