Theodore IV (Joan of What?)

Theodore IV of Cygnia (William Theodore Victor Frederick Peter, 30 April 1888 — 3 May 1933) was the 5th Emperor of Cygnia, and the last of the First Empire. He was the shortest-ruling Emperor in Cygnian history, his reign having been cut short by his assassination in 1933 at the hands of Socialist agents.

Theodore IV was born Prince William of Cygnia on 30 April 1888 to Emperor Theodore III and Empress Alexis of Cygnia. His younger sister, Princess Arielle, died in 1901 at the age of 11, when William was 13. Her death profoundly affected him, and throughout his adult life he supported medical organisations such as the Cygnian Red Cross.

William married Victoria Geraldton in 1908 at the age of 20, despite his father's protests. Theodore III did not approve of marriage to a commoner, but at the insistence of Empress Alexis allowed the wedding to proceed. The couple's first child, Alexander, was born in 1909.

William became Emperor after his father's death in 1928, and was crowned on the traditional coronation day of 5 May in 1929 as Theodore IV. His firstborn Alexander was proclaimed Duke of Augusta on his 20th birthday in the same year.

Theodore IV and his family were suddenly attacked on 3 May 1933 by soldiers of the Imperial Army, later found to be in the employ of the National Cygnian Socialist Party. During what became known as the Ellingham massacre, Theodore IV was shot dead before the other members of his family, including his mother, wife and four children. All were killed except Prince Ellory, his youngest son, who managed to survive the assassination attempt. Theodore's Chancellor, Sir Wesley Orwell, was framed after the massacre and thereafter executed for high treason and murder. Theodore's death paved the way for the seizure of power by the Socialist Party and its leader, Franklin Jonathan Heller.

Titles, styles and honours

 * 1888 — 1908: His Imperial Highness The Prince William of Cygnia
 * 1908 — 1928: His Imperial Highness The Duke of Augusta
 * 1928 — 1933: His Imperial Majesty The Emperor