March 1, 1921
Former King Nicholas of Montenegro died today at his home in Antibes, France, according to the New York Times.
Nicholas I, who was born in 1841, "was proclaimed Prince of Montenegro as successor to his uncle, Danilo I, in 1860." He assumed the title of King in 1910, on the fiftieth anniversary of his reign after a resolution "passed unanimously" by Montenegro's parliament.
Soon after his accession, an "insurrection broke out in Herzegovina, and the sympathy for their Christian kinsmen led to "the country's rupture with Turkey." The war, however, "resulted disastrously for Nicholas" and Montenegro was subjected to "severe terms" by the Convention of Scutari.
In 1876, Nicholas "formed an alliance with Prince Milan of Serbia," and declared war on Turkey. He led his army into Herzegovina, and "attacked Metun." A year later, Russia also declared war on Turkey, and Nicholas "renewed his hostilities against the Ottomans." In this incursion, Nicholas able to recover "the seaboard, which had belonged to Montenegro during the Middle Ages."
During the World War, Montenegro sided with the allies. After the armistice was signed, "Serbians ordered elections for the national assembly." In 1918, the assembly voted in favor of "the deposition of Nicholas and the reigning dynasty." Shortly afterward, the assembly voted for form a union with the Jugo-Slav state with the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
Nicholas and his cabinet moved to France. During his trials, Nicholas "always asserted his right to govern." At the time, it was reported that he "had refused an annuity of $500,000 in exchange for his abdication."
In 1860, Nicholas married Milena Petrovna Vukotitch, the daughter of the senator. They had ten children. One daughter, Elena, is married to King Victor Emmanuel of Italy. Queen Elena has been advised of her father's death, and she and her husband are expected to attend the funeral.
The date for the funeral has not yet been set.
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