Emmé of Limgoo

Emmé of Limgoo (7 May 963-18 February 1014), was suo jure Duchess of Limgoo from 980 until her death, Queen consort of Maharapura by her marriage to Bashayama I ,and empress consort of Baland by her marriage to Jakigan "the Disaster", the seventh emperor of the Hafra Empire. She was famous for her ambition of separating Limgoo from the Balish Empire, with her naming herself “Queen of Limgoo”. Her political influence started turmoils on the border of the empire, which was an important reason of Hafra’s decline and breakdown.

Background
She was the only child and heiress apparent of Kratmaung II, Duke of Limgoo, by his wife Anna d'Este. The future empress Renee d'Este, second wife of Jakigan, was her cousin. Her birthplace, Limgoo region, was located in the northern border of Hafra Baland. Far away from the political center, Limgoo used to have turmoils, rebellions, and many separatists in history. When Usakda Lamasa passed away in 980, 17-year-old Emmé became the Duchess of Limgoo. Hafra wanted she could follow her father’s will, being loyal to the empire and governing to keep the northern border stable, however, as a Limgoo local person, especially a leader, Emmé had no any affections to the empire; instead, she noticed her hometown more. In her eyes, the empire just treated Limgoo as a frontline region, which cared about neither its people, nor its economy. Under the empire’s governance, Limgoo could never develop. Therefore, although Emmé didn’t oppose Baland obviously, she changed most of her father’s policies, many of which being benefit to Baland were abolished. Her real purpose was to separate Limgoo from the empire. To achieve it, on the one hand, she used her influence to instigate separatists, even subsidized them secretly; on the other hand, she tried to find an ally to help her.

First marriage as queen of Maharapura
Maharapura, at that time, was one of the strongest kingdoms of the Great Balish Region (today Federation of Baland). She soon contacted Maharapura, and allied Maharapura successfully. In December 982, she engaged Bashayama I, King of Maharapura, as a way of their league. Shortly after, she was announced to be Queen consort of Maharapura, and her son would succeeded titles of King of Maharapura and Duke of Limgoo both, even Emmé never went to Maharapura. Hearing this message, Nanwa was astonished. Once Emmé had a son, this child would rule Maharapura and Limgoo together, thus Limgoo could easily get its independence, even be a part of Maharapura. Emperor Hsinpalay IV held an emergency meeting to talk about this event. Chief minister Anne de Nusamont suggested that the only way to solve it was to annull the marriage between Bashayama I and Emmé, and broker a marriage of Emmé and a Hafra imperial prince; considering Maharapura wouldn’t give up this chance to weaken Baland, a war was necessary. The emperor hesitated, as he didn’t want to start a war after some battles against Indian kingdoms and Tibet. On 25 June 983, Emmé left for Maharapura, knowing which, Hsinpalay eventually made up his mind to declare a war with Maharapura. To win this war, Hsinpalay IV commanded his brother, one of the greatest generals of the Hafra dynasty, Joan of Shiran, as the commander-in-chief of this war; also, he named many other talented officers to join this war. Baland failed to defeat Maharapura after one-year fighting, but Maharapura didn’t want to continue the war. In July 984, both sides agreed to negotiate. Lasting for a month, they reached an agreement:

1. As the starter, Baland must take its responsibility, who is forbidden to start a war with any countries and regions in 5 years.

2. Maharapura will annull the marriage between Bashayama I and Emmé.

3. Maharapura will get 1,000,000 nelas from Baland.

4. Maharapura will get the right of using Jacwill Port in Baland.

5. Baland will get the city Tussa from Maharapura.

6. King Bashayama I is forbidden to make connections with any feudatories in the Hafra Empire by marriage; Emperor Hsinpalay IV is also forbidden to make connections with any feudatories in Maharapura by marriage. According to this agreement, Emmé was deposed as Queen of Maharapura. Hsinpalay IV announced Emmé would marry his first son, Crown Prince Jakigan. When this message reached to Limgoo, separatists turned angry because they thought Emmé betrayed them. On 13 September 984, separatists attacked Emmé’s palace. Emmé condemned them as rebels, and escaped quickly.

Second marriage as empress of Baland
On 18, Emmé arrived at Nanwa. Hsinpalay IV asked her to agree the marriage with Jakigan, or the empire wouldn’t send troops to crush the rebellion in Limgoo. Emmé agreed 3 days later. On 27, Emmé wedded Jakigan, and was granted Crown Princess of Baland. Then, Some separatists were arrested, and sent to Nanwa. Hsinpalay wanted to execute them, but Emmé insisted to lighten their punishments. Those separatists finally were exiled, and banned from returning to Limgoo. Through this, Emmé won part of support from Limgoo separatist forces. Emmé didn’t give up her plan to gain independence for Limgoo still, but she didn’t have enough abilities to contend against her father-in-law, the emperor, so she remained peace in the court during Hsinpalay’s reign. Emmé produced 2 sons in this marriage, both of whom died in their adolescence, and she at least miscarried her baby for three times. In 1008, Hsinpalay died, then Jakigan became the emperor. Emmé was crowned Empress of Baland on 23 January 1008. Just 4 days later, she left Nanwa for Limgoo. To comfort Baland, she asked dowager empress Galandaph, Jakigan’s mother, to move into the Great Dome, which was the palace belonging to the current empress, thus Jakigan didn’t stop his wife’s leaving.

In 1009, Emmé signed a document to designate her cousin Kratmaung ( later Kratmaung III, Duke of Limgoo), also a Limgoo independence supporter, as her successor to govern Limgoo. This document would be effective after her death if she had no issue. In Limgoo, Emmé pursued her job before to gain Limgoo’s independence. She returned to the imperial court about twice or three times a year as the empress. She didn’t bear any child after her husband’s accession.

Death
She passed away, at the age of 50, in 1014 in Limgoo. Her body was transferred to Nanwa, then entombed in Yanimen. Because of Emmé having no child, her position of Viceroy of Limgoo was passed on to Kratmaung III, the heir whom she designated, who succeeded not only her title, but her work to get Limgoo’s independence. Her influence on Limgoo caused instability in the northern border area. Her death also marked the great change in the court, the same year, Renee of Basnoi becoming the new empress and getting power, which was considered as the beginning of the dark period of the Hafra dynasty.