War of the Zierenburger Succession (Pacifica)

War of the Zierenburger Succession
Part of the Babenberg-Laurenberg conflict; the Concert of Sugovia
Five days of Rankrau by Ahmed Shakir
Date 12 April 1852 - 17 August 1863 Location Duchy of Zierenburg Result Babenberg victory Babenberg claim to the Zierenburger throne is solidified
Belligerents
House of Babenberg Supported by: Weisserstein Algaria Leiyern-Leiyern (after 1857) Saltzemarkt (diplomatic)	House of Laurenberg Supported by: Nordmark Leiyern-Frankburg (after 1857) Leiyern-Mekloßbrucken (after 1857)
Commanders and leaders
Franz III Charles William von Lichtenburg-Hohenzollern	Karl II
Strength
42,000 2,500	58,000

The War of the Zierenburger Succession was a major conflict fought in the Duchy of Zierenburg from 1852 to 1863. The immediate cause of the conflict was the death of Franz II, whose designated heir, Franz III, was only 15 years old. Franz III received backing from Weisserstein, Algaria, Leiyern-Leiyern, and Saltzemarkt. His rival, Karl II, received backing from Leiyern-Frankburg, Leiyern-Mekloßbrucken, and Nordmark.

Following the end of the Elbonian Wars, the Duchy of Zierenburg was reestablished as an independent state. However, conflict arose between the two prominent noble houses of Zierenburg. The House of Babenberg ruled the duchy until its deposition by the Elbonians in the Seventeen Years' War. In its place, the House of Laurenberg, who also ruled the duchy before being deposed by the Babenbergs, was reinstated as the rulers of the autonomous duchy until Elbonia fully annexed the territories in 1720. After Elbonia's defeat, the League of Guldenkaap reestablishes the duchy and designated Karl I of Babenberg as its duke. After Karl's death in 1819, his son Franz II became Duke of Zierenburg. Franz, for most of his life, was childless, and without an heir, he designated Karl II, son of Ludwig, who was head of the House of Laurenberg, as his heir in 1824. This arrangement changed in 1837, following the birth of Franz III, who ultimately became the heir to the throne. This change angered the House of Laurenburg, and throughout the remainder of his rule, Franz II was asked multiple times to reinstate Karl II.

With Franz II's passing in 1852, Franz III became duke of Zierenburg. However, the same day as his coronation, the Laurenbergs launched a major uprising. They called for Franz III to step down, as he was not yet of age, and therefore the agreement between Franz II and Karl II remained. Franz III rejected this and mobilized the army. The Laurenbergs received support from the Duchy of Nordmark, which has familial ties to the Laurenberg house. The Babenbergs received support from Algaria, whose ruler, King Frederick III, did not trust the Laurenbergs due to their collaboration with Elbonia. Weisserstein, Leiyern-Leiyern, and Saltzemarkt would also join on the side of Franz III. Leiyern-Frankburg and Leiyern-Mekloßbrucken would join the conflict on the side of Karl II following the entry of Leiyern-Leiyern due to the ongoing rivalry between the three states.

In 12 April 1852, the Laurenberg forces would besiege the capital of Rankrau (modern day Swillingsherzog), beginning the war.