The House of Arnell (1278 MH - Present)
Title(s): The County of Esteppleshire, The Protectorate of Silvillud
Moratum Grantee: Lily Arnell
Current Head: Owen Arnell, 8th Earl of Esteppleshire
The House of Arnell is unusual for a few reason, the foremost of which is the circumstance of its creation. While the land that made up what would be Esteppleshire had been in Palingvyre for generations, but as it was on the relatively benign border with the Elven Fringe, it had been part of several expansive duchies that administered the area. It was only in 1278 MH, following a review of the area, that it was decided it was necessary to break up these dukedoms.
This was controversial in of itself, but King Leonard did not help things when he granted a title in the area to Lily Arnell, creating the County of Esteppleshire, after the largest town in the area. To award a title to a woman was not unheard of, but caused some rumblings, to award the title to a wood elf was pushing the envelope, and to award the title to someone who had been heavily speculated to be his mistress... It was going to be a hard sell, and what was widely seen as an attempt to quietly secrete Arnell about as far from the King as one could get, only served to spotlight the scandalous relationship.
It was public knowledge that the Leonard did not get on with his wife Eleanor, (formerly of House Dugsby), whose haughty attitude had earned her an unfortunate reputation. Indeed, such was their relationship, Leonard would earn the moniker, ‘the Patient’ for having to deal with his wife on a regular basis. Even when he took a mistress, (not publicly of course), those in the know turned a blind eye, but to award one in such a position a title was seen as an endorsement of adultery and an affront to public morals.
The creation of the House of Arnell threatened the very foundations of the monarchy for nearly two years, with Leonard having to make several concessions, tax cuts, title grants, and even donations, to keep his Lords in line. One House, that of Bell, even threatened to revolt in the House of Lord Advocates, although where suitably chastised for such irresponsible rhetoric. Ultimately, the title grant stood and Lily Arnell became Lady Arnell, overseeing a modest domain. The circumstances of the House’s creation still cause ripples to this day, despite its modern prestige, and there was much grumbling of the appointment of Jonathan Arnell as Lord Protector of Silvillud.
This also links to an additional point of interest for the House, as it is currently one of only a few where the head of the house, Earl Owen Arnell, is actually outranked by the
Lord Protector, who is equivalent to an Imperial Duke. It should also be noted the House is now firmy human with the elven and half-elven lines no longer being tithed.