STANLEY NINE: Born Ansel, 2353. Crowned 2377 at age 24. Reigned 26 years. Had illegitimate son, Banion, by Aimée Amorat, Duchess of Durward, in 2378; Banion was given Patent of Royalty and title “Prince of Durward.” Patent was later revoked upon the birth of legitimate heir, William, born 2379, but Amorat and Banion had disappeared and continued plotting for the throne. Strong but harsh ruler, and able administrator. Inaugurated the Primary Computer Complex, which enabled the Empire to expand tremendously. Killed in 2403 when his personal super-dread-naught was struck by a derelict vessel immediately after emergence from subspace. Although this is the only such accident on record, SOTE investigators concluded it could not possibly have been prearranged.
STANLEY TEN: Born William, 2379. Crowned 2403 at age 24. Reigned 46 years. Married in 2423 at age 44, very late for a Stanley – deliberately. Also deliberately had only one child, Crown Princess Edna. Third of the Great Stanleys, the greatest to date. Among other achievements, he built SOTE up into the finest security organization that civilization has ever seen. Abdicated at age 70 in favor of his daughter.
STANLEY ELEVEN: Born Edna, 2424. Crowned 2449 at age 25. Married in 2448 at age 24. Survived the Coronation Day Incursion and the insurrection, led by the Primary Computer Complex, which nearly destroyed the Empire. Supervised the rebuilding program that restored the Empire to its former greatness.
The end