Immediately, the Constitutional Kingdom fell on hard times. In 1565, the economy went sour due to excessive rainfall, flooding, famine, and disease. The nobility withdrew into their fortified manners and administration crumbled for some 5-7 years. When the disaster was finally over, there was further political in-fighting. The King (renamed from the previous title because of Artanian influence) was dead and his heirs fought for the succession. Not helping matters, the nobility chose one heir while the powerful clergy chose another. War would have broken out had not the latter died from a bout of epilepsy. The new King was crowned in Metapontum, war only narrowly averted. The Council of Dukes, however, had consolidated power in the absence of the King; the army now answered to the Minister