King Mater (lived 1667-1733? (disputed), reigned 1721-present) of the House Chentes is the de jure monarch of the Kingdom of Heghom, though this is widely thought to be a legal fiction supporting the continued rule of the Lords Commissioners in his name, and thereby avoiding a succession controversy - the king is childless and no prospective successor has wide support in the Noble Council.
Early Life
Prince Mater was born in 1667 to King Hulmi V and his wife, the Queen Consort Saila, the second of five children. However, he was the only one of three sons to survive to adulthood: one of his younger brothers died in infancy, and the other died as a teenager in a riding accident. Mater was a capable and relatively popular crown prince for many years. He married the daughter of the Duke of Nisthom, Maris Pilsen. The union produced no children despite several pregnancies, to the distress of the couple and the king.
The Prince was tutored by Speculator Hebeshedi, a Murinali convert to the Old Temple who had risen high in its ranks and made a reputation as a scholar besides. From an early age, members of the court recognized the price's unusual piety; Hebeshedi cultivated the boy's faith and religious knowledge assiduously.
Succession
At the age of 54, Prince Mater became king when King Hulmi V died of a protracted respiratory illness. As the oldest son of the king who had been crown prince for many years, and was popular with the people, the succession was largely without controversy and he was acclaimed by the Noble Council on the day after his father's death. Although some libertines in the court found the shift in customs that followed to be an irritation, King Mater was, for the most part, considered an effective ruler.
Personal and Religious Life
King Mater was preoccupied with his lack of an heir. Although known for his piety, he believed that his childless was a punishment for some sin unknown to him.
War against the Aelian States