Carmen
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
In Captain Vorpatril's Alliance, where Morozov explains Ivan's relation to the Barrayaran throne*camp stool--can't puzzle out why Prince Xav wasn't next in line for the throne after Emperor Yuri, rather than going over to whatever branch led to Ezar? I know in the past it's been referenced that Salic descent was important for disqualifying Miles, but isn't that related to descent thru Olivia Vorbarra etc?
Lois McMaster Bujold
Xav was a half brother of Yuri, of different mothers. He was born well before Yuri's mother died, Dorca finally married his significant other, and Xav was legitimated. So Xav's legitimacy was always a bit dodgy.
More critically, Mad Yuri had Xav's only son murdered (his daughters survived) so Xav had no successor when Yuri was brought down and they had to figure out a new emperor. He was also old and grieving and very, very tired. Piotr was in a similar state, having just lost his favored heir. The two put their heads together and decided to headhunt Ezar instead of putting too-young Aral in the hot seat.
Good question for historical speculators whether things would have gone differently if Piotr's older son had lived.
Ta, L.
Xav was a half brother of Yuri, of different mothers. He was born well before Yuri's mother died, Dorca finally married his significant other, and Xav was legitimated. So Xav's legitimacy was always a bit dodgy.
More critically, Mad Yuri had Xav's only son murdered (his daughters survived) so Xav had no successor when Yuri was brought down and they had to figure out a new emperor. He was also old and grieving and very, very tired. Piotr was in a similar state, having just lost his favored heir. The two put their heads together and decided to headhunt Ezar instead of putting too-young Aral in the hot seat.
Good question for historical speculators whether things would have gone differently if Piotr's older son had lived.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Meliors Simms
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
When I read my friend's blog about her newfound passion for all things Bujold, I was very surprised to learn that she doesn't love Cordelia (though her reason makes sense cf http://www.alicebulmer.com/me-and-lois-mcmaster-bujold/) Everyone else I've ever talked with about Cordelia adores her, but now I wonder whether you have come across anyone else not so keen on Cordelia?
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