Medieval Fragmentation and the War of the Rijks
In the following centuries the Empire experienced a number of succession crises which resulted in the Imperial crown being passed between a number of Andleric dynasties. The Empire never developed any significant centralization during this period, and power instead increasingly flowed to the territories of the Empire. By the 1200s the House of Rijk had again reasserted control of the Imperial throne, electing several successive emperors.
In 1294 the Electors of the Akarus met to elect the successor to the deceased Henry V Rijk. The electors soon becane divided into two factions, one supporting the Emperor's son, Frederick IV, and the other his brother, Godfrey II. In 1296 a group of Electors elected Frederick, and in response two days later a different group of Electors elected Godfrey. Both refused to recognized the other's election and by next month war had broken put between the factions. Two months later the Kapelgian King Bjørn IV Handingmann rose in open revolt against the Empire, sweeping across the eastern regions of the Empire while the Imperial claimants clashed in the west.
Though casualty numbers on the "War of the Rijks" are conflicting, the war was one of the most destructive in Akarusian history. Both claimants gained a reputation for their ruthlessness, particularly Godfrey, though some historians have disputed the validity of these claims. After three years of fighting Frederick IV was killed on October 23rd, 1299 in the Battle of Moorsel. Rather than recognizing Godfrey as Emperor, Electors from all sides conspired and elected Kristof I van Hertain as Emperor. The great-grandson of Olivier I Rijk, Kristof I was elected to be a puppet of the rebellious vassals. Leading their newly raised army Kristof attacked the capital, defeating Godfrey and imprisoning him. Rallying a reunited Empire he marched east towards Kapel, defeating the rebellion in the Battle of Bevermeer and mortally wounding King Bjørn IV. Though Kristof would sign many rights to the Imperial states, increasing the Empire's growing fragmentation and weakening Imperial power, in 1312 he abolished the elective monarchy and established hereditary rule for the Imperial throne.