Anna's appointment as successor
The appointment of Anna as the successor of Centerik I was one of the most important dynastic decisions of the Youlender family. The ailing emperor first considered his brother Edmond, but after his death and because of the young age of Edmond's sons, he designated his only daughter Anne. This paved the way for the first long-reigning empress of the empire.
Emperor without a son
Centerik I gradually realized that his illness was worsening and that without a clear succession the empire could slide into crisis. He had no son to naturally continue the male line. Therefore he thought first of his brother Edmond. However, he died during the expedition to the East and his sons were too young.
An unexpected decision
Centerik finally decided to appoint his only daughter Anna as successor. The move was a bold one, as female rule still caused uncertainty and resentment among a section of the nobility. However, in the last year of her father's reign, Anna effectively took over power, because Centerik was so weakened by illness that he could hardly speak or write.
The birth of a new empress
The true extent of Centerik's illness did not become known to the people until after his death, when Anna made her first official statement as empress. The appointment of Anne as successor proved to be one of the most fortunate decisions of the era. It opened the way for one of the longest and most popular reigns in the history of the Empire.