(Year 226) I've finally completed the Rossie Palace - located in Rossie District which is actually outside my Region 12, but once upon a time Rossie and Region 12 were in the same administrative area. This post became a massive picture post - get ready for a tour of the palace!
Rossie Palace was originally built in Year 1 and onwards, and is probably the closest I get to a royal castle in this area, especially when comparing the interior. The Rossie dukedom (Region 11) was instated Year 2, together with the Windenburg dukedom (Region 28), and these two peerages are still more traditional than the two dukedoms within Region 12 (Meadows and Cavalier).
As you can tell from the view, the palace is technically located in Del Sol Valley, but picture was taken before it was moved to it's right location in Henford-on-Bagley, Rossie.
The current sovereign is Duke Jarret of Rossie (56), from House of Ross, supported by his lovely wife, Duchess Ribra Lynn of Rossie (62), from House of Thebe.
Jarret and Ribra Lynn have 4 children, all boys. Two of them are teenagers, and two are still in their childhood. To the left you see the military medal displays with Military Portraits of Jarret and his late father - all a rather new tradition. Behind the open door is the West Corridor which combines the many rooms added by the major expansion around Year 100.
Duke Jarret is the 6th sovereign of this dukedom, and the complete line of dukes is displayed on the walls of the Big Hallway.
Dukes have their portrait painted during the year after their Coronation Day. Above you see the very first Duke Schubret of Rossie to the left, he reigned Year 2-43 and also founded the House of Ross.
The following pictures are from the annual Rossie District Order Gala Dinner. Each district has their own District Order, and each district's highest nobility is sovereign of the order and host to the annual gala dinner. These orders are exclusive with maximum 8 members, but because some nobles are members of multiple district orders, it's common routine to attend at least every other year. This opens up for bringing a spouse or other company to the dinner.
The guests are welcomed by the Duke and Duchess in the Big Hallway. This room is the heart of the palace, and goes 3 stories high. In the past the gala dinners were in this hallway while today's dinner room (Grand Ballroom) was used for dancing and other entertainment.
If you follow this blog you should see some familiar faces among the guests. They are all dressed in their gala attire, but at these events it is important to not overshadow the hosts, especially if you are lower ranked. Because Duke Jarret is a Military Officer and naturally carries the royal military uniform, male guests who are also ranked Military Officer will go for their ordinary tuxedo instead.
We access the Grand Ballroom via the Rose Suite.
This room holds an old tradition when every year's new Nectar production is released. Rossie district did produce the common Apple nectar since generations, but also the more exclusive Rose nectar. And we know that apples and roses are both of the botanical Rosaceae family. It's not a coincident that the Teen Portraits of the House of Ross are on display in this room - after all they are the buds of the house.
Well, guests are already seated in the Grand Ballroom...
The Grand Ballroom is indeed too big for a small party like this one. But it is convenient as it is next to the kitchen and guests can use restroom facilities that are accessed from the Rose Suite next door. Besides, no heating is needed as this dinner always takes place in Summer. The large and very valuable carpet takes most of this room. The old wall décor was added as the palace was renovated about 125 years ago.
The Rossie District Order has a peach-to-cream colored sash. Jarret has the blue/gold Baltazar medal because he is the sovereign.
The initiative to these concerts was taken by Duke Jarret's grandmother, Duchess Amalia. The stage is also used for minor investitures, like a new Duchess or knighting of new members to the District Order. The Duke himself is crowned in the Britechester Cathedral.
The mural is quite atmospheric, and the high value carpet is old family heirloom.
This palace has of course servants. A Butler and a Cook are permanently employed, and have their private section right above the kitchen. For bigger events assistance is hired.
The kitchen is in the end of the West Corridor. The business entrance is right there in the opposite end.
On 2nd floor there are 7 spacious bedrooms each with their private bathroom.
This used to be Duchess Amalia's favorite room. Especially when she grew old and the stairs became a challenge, it was convenient spending the day and night on the same story. By the way, she is on the wall, a painting from here 75th birthday, I think.
Duchess Ribra Lynn is known for her style. Her outfits are always planned in detail, and there is often a specific reason behind every little choice. This year she decided to break the long tradition of wearing a long red dress, I'm not sure why, though. She wears the Mellerio Ruby Parure, or what is left of it. It is very old, but over the years both the tiara and a front piece were stolen.
Ribra Lynn is of the House of Thebe, her late father was Robert Thebe, the last Baron of Myshuno. Their oldest son, Lord Rainert Ross, inherited the Myshuno barony, and is these days preparing to move into the city and to get crowned Baron at age of 25, which is the earliest allowed. Ribra Lynn carries the red Ross Family Order bow, in fact she is currently the only one with the right to do so as such orders are restricted to females of the house.
From left to right; Duke Aquess de Cavalier, Sarah H. Summerton (wife of Lord Foxbury), and Baron Bennet of Shiningham (brother of Duke Jarret). Sarah Summerton is not of noble heritage, and has limited access to jewelry, and definitely no tiara. The Shiningham barony is on the hands of the Rossie Trust. The trust owns the Shiningham Manor which is often used as a temporary residence for the future duke's household. It's not decided what will happen to Bennet's family when Baron Robert Ross becomes a young adult, perhaps they will need to move elsewhere.
Duchess Claudine de Cavalier (wife of Duke Aquess. I prepared a new gala outfit for her but obviously forgot to switch... how could I not notice she is wearing the wrong sash, argh!), Jurton Summerton Lord Foxbury, and Baroness Elvy of Shiningham (wife of Baron Bennet). Lord Foxbury is a member because he holds a noble title and Foxbury is in Rossie District. Baroness Elvy was never given the Ross Family Order bow, because she is neither bloodline nor gave birth to main heir of the house. She just gave birth to Baron Bennet's second child, while it is her 3rd.
Well, enough from the dinner. Rossie Palace has so much more on offer, so let's take a quick look through most of the major rooms.
The Music Room is just across the Big Hallway. This room has also been used as a dining room and still is when the Duchess arranges her tea parties.
Currently the room is mostly used for concerts, besides the children of the house get their piano lessons here. During the darker half of the year the palace arranges monthly classical concerts. I guess it's just another way to help raising funds for running such a big place.
Next door is the Schubret Drawing room. It's a simple suite with bright walls and comfortable seats for stepping back a bit.
This palace has of course servants. A Butler and a Cook are permanently employed, and have their private section right above the kitchen. For bigger events assistance is hired.
The kitchen also includes the Butler's office corner (down right) and juicer as well as canning station. Nectar is produced in the cellar, though, where there also are older facilities such as the Crypt with a few old graves.
This section is more modern, as it was built hundred years after the original palace.
There is a winter garden where the Duchess likes to tend plants that are carried inside for the cold season. There is a big apple tree garden, but they also grow lots of roses, both "to please eyes and noses", as Duchess Ribra Lynn often states, and for producing the famous Rose nectar.
In the Red Drawing Room they have their Monday Morning Meeting (aka 3M). This is tradition in all high nobility houses, especially the dukedoms. Currently only the Duke and Duchess are on the Rossie Trust's payroll, but now that Baron Robert has become a teenager, he will get involved eventually.
Paintings show Duchess Julia (left, Duke Jarret's late mother) and Duchess Amalia (right, Duke Jarret's grandmother).
Most days Duke Jarret spends a few hours in his office. This is where he accepts visitors to debate business and other agreements. Note the old book to the left. Generations ago each dukedom was gifted their unique version of the Royal Nobility Guide. Nowadays the book is a curiosity on display, and not for use.
Duchess Ribra Lynn has her own office, the only room in the palace with no windows, but modern ventilation is still satisfying. Here she plans family events, household management and more. The servants are Duke Jarret's domain, though. There is a cozy saloon for small meetings.
We'll end this tour with a quick look upstairs.
There are 3 floors, but top floor is currently used mainly for storage. This means I stopped equipping rooms when I noticed the total value of the palace exceeded §1 000 000 ... there exist plans for a sauna, a gym and a hobby room, that might be added to the top floor later.
But 2d floor also has a nice room called the Granny Lounge.
On this floor there is also a school room for the children of the house to build various skills.
The Master Suite is where the Duke and Duchess sleep. The wall fresco was successfully moved from the Grand Ballroom, but the wooden floor is old and quite worn. There is a balcony overseeing the garden.
Final stop, this is Baron Robert's bedroom. He just became a teenager, but some day he will become the next Duke of Rossie. In this room House of Ross' primary color - red - is dominating. You better get used to that girly color, young man!
Thanks for joining the tour, hope it was not way too long :)
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