Aldmeri was a regnal name used by the ancient Aldmeri kings, and several Altmeri kings from the Merethic Era. King's from House Arana would often bear the name as a quasi-second surname (e.g., Ayrenn Arana Aldmeri), and was first adopted by Queen Elaerel I as a way of increasing her family's legitimacy in the eyes of their Altmeri subjects by associating the Aranas more closely with the ancient Aldmer.
History[]
Several scrolls transcribed by the Sapiarchs indicate that ancient Aldmeri kings adopted the moniker after the Sundering of Aldmeris as a reminder of their heritage, associating themselves with their pure elven ancestors. As the Aldmer slowly became the modern-day Altmer the moniker remained among several royal families. However, it was done away with over time, and by the time of Aerel's Invasion in 1E 366 the only monarchs bearing the moniker were in history books.
The tumultuous reigns of the first few Arana kings indicated to the newly-coronated Elaerel I Arana that more needed to be done to increase her family's legitimacy in the eyes of their Altmeri subjects. Having descended from the Ayleid Empire, House Arana was seen largely as a foreign entity by commoners and nobles alike. Among several other of her reforms, Elaerel revived the use of the moniker by adopting it herself during her coronation. Several of her successors opted to use it as well, such as Ayrenn I Arana (styled Ayrenn Arana Aldmeri), yet many others decided to not use it.
Royal Uses of the Moniker[]
From ancient history:
- King Torinaan I Rilis, known as the Foresailor
From House Arana:
- Queen Elaerel I Arana
- Queen Ayrenn I Arana, known as the Unforseen Queen
From House Neiaron:
- Queen Alwinarwe I Neiaron