Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (Lost to History Part 3 The Crown Regalia of Serbieski)

Symbols are very powerful tools, not as much in their physicality but almost entirely in what they stand for.  A crown is a symbol for the concept of monarchy but far deeper lies its representation of the collective identity of a particular culture and people group. The Serbieski people have always been a very close knit culture and ingrained themselves deeply into their geographic region. In ancient times they developed a very isolationist demeanour due to being cut off by surrounding mountains. They were not nomadic nor expansionist and for centuries remained safe and defensible, establishing a self sufficient community headed by a chief or as they reffered to it, a Krull. Eventually in late Medieval times the title Krull became generally referred to as Grand Duke.

Trouble came to Serbieski as larger more powerful neighbours sought to extend their empires to include their fertile valleys. That was when the Serbieski resolve became the proverbial thorn-in-the side of Europa. Serbieski was not to be ruled by any outside force and its stubborn people remained willing to fight for independence, this has been the attitude to this day. As a result of its fertile agricultural land and strategic positioning  Serbieski found itself constantly threatened but at least relatively easy to defend by its small population amidst its tall mountains. Proper autonomy however was not to be established for several hundred years. 

Eventually tensions settled in the early 1800's when Serbieski's identity finally solidified in its declaration of Independence as a fully fledged and acknowledged Grand Duchy amongst it Europan brothers. 

The Crown Jewels of Serbieski was already a very ancient establishment by the time of its establishment as an independent monarchy. The Crown and Scepter was originally made for Krull Danielovich I in circa 1250. By the time of the Grand Duchy these ancient relics, considered to be a mere princely coronet and jewelled mace in configuration, were highly revered and no gaudy "new" crown was going to ever surpass them in importance. They were duly used at the investiture of the Grand Duke of the independent Serbieski. 

A very old archive photo shows the ancient Crown and Scepter of Serbieski. 


Serbieski was annexed by the Germanic power less than 50 years later. However after the Great War all claimants to the throne were dead as a result except for the descendants of the Syldavian King and his brothers who's mother was a Serbieski Princess. The new King of Syldavia in agreement with the other monarchies of Europa termed a peace treaty that created the new Kingdom of Serbieski under the rule of the King of Syldavia's younger brother who would become King Simeon I of Serbieski. This was the current Grand Duke's great grandfather. 

Finally, Serbieski had entered the upper echelons of acknowledgement as an established independent Kingdom in its own right which was all the people of the war torn region ever wanted. Peace it seemed had come and was to stay for two generations. However, the war had taken another toll on the war torn people of Serbieski as plans for King Simeon's Coronation were laid down. Nobody had even thought of the Crown Jewels. To the shock of the world it became clear that the monastery that traditionally held the jewels was entirely destroyed during the last weeks of the Great War. The revered relics were lost forever. In respect for their symbolic value, the people of Serbieski decided to only Invest their new King without the use of a crown. 

In 1996, the Bloody Revolution took the life of the King of Serbieski's wife.The convalescing King of Serbieski died of a heart attack after hearing of his wife's death. The Kingdom of Serbieski monarchy was dissolved as it was absorbed into the new Democratic Republic of Syldavia as a mere province. This remained until 2012 when Syldavia restored its monarchy and afforded Serbieski a mediatized Grand Ducal status which the current Grand Duke accepted. Independence has once again alluded the isolated valleys of Serbieski. Perhaps the loss of the Crown Jewels spelled out the end of an era.