I wonder if he could have appointed a Norton II as a successor, a sort of succeeding cultural icon. If there had been a series of Nortons it could have had a major effect on San Francisco’s history—I’m picturing a Norton V MCing an alternate Summer of Love.
Ohhh, I like this idea....
In December of 1864 the newly crowned Emperor Norton marries Lillie Hitchcock in the newly finished Chapel of the Presido. The event, despite the small size of the chapel, is considered the wedding of the century, with "all classes from capitalists to the pauper, the clergyman to the pickpocket, well-dressed ladies and those whose garb and bearing hinted of the social outcast. It was reported that upwards of 10,000 people lined the streets, and that the wedding procession was two miles long."
9 months later Prince J. A. Norton II, Lord of San Francisco, is born. Emperor Norton's popularity is as high as ever, with him spending his days traveling around this city, mixing with the people, while Empress Lillie's (stripped of her inheritance after her marriage) managed a boarding house. The Emperor and Empress, and Prince J.A., would enjoy free meals at restaurants across the city.
In 1885, Emperor Norton collapsed outside of Old St. Mary's Church and is rushed to the hospital, where he is pronounced dead. His funeral is well attended, but just as well attended is the coronation ceremony of Emperor J.A. Norton II, arranged by Empress Lillie to be held at the old Jenny Lind Theater (which was functioning as the city hall, while construction continued on the new building). The young (20 year old) Emperor is said to have all of his fathers charm, and only half of his crazy, producing a passionate speech about the great works of his father at his funeral, and producing an even great speech at his own coronation.
However, much like his father, J.A. Norton II seems content patrolling the city on foot, although his more rational conversational skills secures him more meetings with officials and the wealthy, allowing him to share his many ideas, and gain more influence then his father ever held. In 1889 Emperor J.A. Norton marries Winona Baker, the daughter of a middling merchant. The marriage, like that of his father, is held in the chapel of the Presidio. In 1890 their first son Crown Prince J. Abraham Norton III, Lord of San Francisco is born. In 1895 a second son, Prince Edward Joseph Norton is born, followed by their last child, and only daughter, Princess Clara Victoria Norton. Born in 1906, she is known as the Lady Quake, after the devastating earthquake the hit the city only days after her birth.
The earthquake also took the life of the elderly Dowager Empress Lillie. Emperor J.A.II and his 16 year old son Prince J.Abraham were noted for their heroism in the aftermath, stopping looters, organizing fire brigades, and handing out food to those displaced. In recognition of their heroism, the old Jenny Lind Theater (formerly the City Hall) was order reconstructed (it's damage had been minimal) and re-designated as Norton Palace, a public museum highlighting San Francisco,with a Throne Room for the Norton Emperor to hold court, and a small wing for the Norton family to live in.
Crown Prince J.Abraham and his brother Prince Edward, both join the 30th Infantry Regiment in 1917, when the US enters the Great War. Both serve with distinction and return to San Francisco in 1918 as War Heroes, earning the title's "Prince's of the Marne". Prince Edward decides to reenlist, as an officer, thanks to his father's connections at the Presidio. Prince Edward serves in the American Expeditionary Force, Siberia, until 1920, when he was stationed at the Presido. In 1925 the young Prince (Major) Edward marries Pauline Graves, daughter of Major Edward's former commander. Together they have a son and two daughters.
In 1927 Emperor J.A. Norton II dies at 62. In ill health he had been advised to avoid the wedding of his son and heir to Lady Florence Pauncefote, youngest daughter of the late-Baron Julian Pauncefote, former British Ambassador to Washington, whose son and heir, 2nd Baron Pauncefote, had settled in San Francisco. Held in the traditional Norton setting of the Presidio Chapel, the event was widely popular, attracting not only San Franciscans, but British officials and a telegram from the White House.
In the aftermath of the massive wedding, the beloved Emperor J.A. Norton II's condition, which had already been bad, worsted, and he died a few weeks later. San Francisco, and to a lesser extent the rest of the US, both mourned their former Emperor, and celebrated their new one, who was coronated in Norton Palace, as Emperor J.Abraham Norton III. His brother, Prince Edward, managed to secure a discharge, to assist his brother in the now rather complex and ceremonial position of Emperor of the United States, Protector of Mexico. Prince Edward was granted his brother's previous designation, the dynastic title of Lord of San Francisco, a position he held until the Emperor's first child, a boy, (Joshua Abraham Norton IV) was born in 1928. The Emperor than granted his brother the title 'Lord of the Presidio'.
Princess Clara, Lady Quake, Duchess of Jazz was seen as the leading figure of the roaring 20's in San Francisco. The roaring 20's was declared dead when, in August 1929 Princess Clara married John Gresham, son of the Dean of Grace Cathedral, in the aforementioned Cathedral in a ceremony that was later called 'the last great hurrah' before the Black Tuesday crash of '29, a month later. Her brother, the newly minted Emperor J. Abraham Norton III, bestowed upon the Gresham's the title 'Lord of Nob Hill', after the neighborhood which Grace Cathedral was located in.
Given the fact that the Norton Dynasty actually had very little wealth they weathered the Great Depression well. Emperor J.Abraham III petitioned the Board of Supervisors to allow him to use Norton Palace's public areas as housing for displaced families. The Norton's managed to pull together enough funds to support the building of the Empress Lillian Norton Tower, known as Norton Tower, to be built on Telegraph Hill. The project provided work for numerous unemployed San Franciscans. In 1936 the Emperor Norton Bridge, spanning San Francisco Bay was opened to the public, with Emperor J.Abraham III christening the bridge in a large public ceremony.
The start of WWII saw Prince Edward reenlist as a Major, stationed out of the Presidio. Lord Edward's son, Joseph, enlisted in 1943. Tragedy stuck when Pvt. Joseph Norton was killed in action in the Pacific in 1945. The Emperor's son, Prince Joshua Norton IV, tried through-out the war to enlist, finally succeeding by lying about his age in 1945 (he was 17), but the war ended before he was ever shipped out. Prince Edward, Lord of the Presidio, returned to San Francisco a widely popular man, but heart-broken over the lost of his son.
1945 wasn't done with the Norton family however. On Christmas Eve, 1945, a car containing Emperor J.Abraham III, and his son Prince Joshua Norton IV, was stuck by another motorist and both Nortons were killed, leaving Empress Florence a widow, and Prince John Norton (2) and newly born Princess Sarah fatherless.
Prince Edward refused all attempts to be named the new Emperor, instead it was decided that young Prince John would take the name (and number) of his brother, and become Joshua Norton IV (the Second). The 2 year old was named Emperor Joshua 'John' IV, and his uncle was named Regent.
The Lord of the Presidio was a military man, and raised Emperor John with strict standards. While Emperor John understood the importance of being popular with the people (their entire position and dynasty was built on complete fantasy after all) he chafed under the Colonel's upbringing. However he had a large number of females in his life as well: Prince Edward's two older daughters; Ladies Kate and Dorothy, his own younger sister; Princess Sarah, his mother; Empress Florence, Lord Edward's wife, Lady Graves and his paternal aunt; Lady Gresham.
In 1966 the 'Regency' formally ended in a grand ceremony, the first large Royal Norton event since Emperor Norton III's funeral in 1945.
Emperor John was a big fan of his grandfather, and great-grandfather's legacy of walking the streets of San Francisco. Emperor John ushered in the Summer of Love in '67. Emperor John named his sister, with whom he was close, Countess of Haight-Ashbury. City-officials were concerned about the large influx of hippies and the possible effects of Emperor John's 'reign'. Prince Edward discussed the matter with the newly 'independent' Emperor, who surprisingly agreed. Emperor John and Princess Sarah, Countess of Haight-Ashbury, organized a mass funeral for the movement. While preparing for the event Princess Sarah met Martin Kasper.
The two quickly fell in love and married, taking the last name Hashbury. The wedding, held in Buena Vista Park, had the blessing of Emperor John, who named the couple Lord and Lady Hashbury; Count and Countess of Haight-Ashbury. However, with his sister marred, John had lost his best friend. Emperor John announced his intentions to take the title 'Protector of Mexico' seriously, and moved to Cabo San Lucas. He lived there for years, helping the local people of Cabo, and knighting those whom he felt where pillars of the local community, naming them as Caballero's of the Orden de Cabo.
In Emperor John's absence the other members of the Norton family continued the legacy. Clara Gresham nee Norton, Lady Quake, Duchess of Jazz, Lord of Nob Hill was a patron of the arts until her passing in 1994. Her son, Thomas Gresham, served as dean of Grace Cathedral from 1975-1985, he was replaced by Alan Jones when he became Bishop of California, a title he held till 2011. When his mother passed in 1994 he deferred from taking her title 'Lord of Nob Hill', the title passed to his son Tom Gresham 'Norton' II.
Colonel Prince Edward Joseph, Lord of the Presidio, Prince of the Marne, passed away in 1976. His wife, Lady Graves, had died the year before. His only son had died in 1945, so his title passes to his eldest daughter, Kathleen 'Kate' Norton, Lady of the Presidio. Lady Kate would pass away in 1998, having never married, her title would pass to her nephew (the son of her sister) Charles Bassett 'Norton' II, Lord of the Presidio.
When Prince Edward died Emperor John finally returned to San Francisco for good. He did not come alone however. He brought with him 12 Caballero's to help him serve the people of San Francisco. The twelve knight's also served as his groomsmen (his sister was his best man) at his wedding to Gabriela Velazquez, a young Mexican nurse he had met in Cabo San Lucas. Held in the traditional chapel of the Presidio the 1977 event was widely hailed as the return of the king. In 1979 their first son Prince Joshua Abraham Norton V, Lord of San Francisco was born. In 1982 their second son Prince Rodrigo Norton is born. Prince Rodrigo is considered a strong candidate for future Mayor of San Francisco- if he ran he would be the first member of the Norton dynasty to run for public office. Prince Rodrigo come out young as gay, his 2004 same-sex marriage was the first one preformed in California, and thanks to Norton family influence gay marriage were recognized as legal in California.
Crown Prince Josh V's wedding to minor TV celebrity April Bowlby in 2006 was certainly considered tame in comparison, but still popular. Prince Josh is popular with the more affluent, younger generation of San Franciscan's, while his father, Emperor John, and his Caballero's still fight for minority rights in the city.
Emperor John (75) and Empress Gabriela (70) still live in the residential quarters of Norton Palace, a popular destination for tourists.
