Editing Lij Iyasu (section)

===Background===
Late in his life, Emperor Menelik was confronted with the problem of his succession; if he did not explicitly name an heir before he died, the nation he had built would likely dissolve into civil war and be devoured by European colonial powers. He had four possible heirs. According to the traditional rules of succession, the next direct patrilineal descendant was the grandson of Menelik's uncle, ''[[Dejazmach]]'' [[Taye Gulilat]]. His other three heirs were all in the female line. The first of these was his oldest grandson, ''Dejazmach'' [[Wosan Seged]], son of his daughter [[Shoagarad Menelik|Shoaregga Menelik]] by her first marriage to [[Wedadjo Gobena]]. The second heir of the female line was his younger grandson ''Lij'' Iyasu. Finally, the third heir of the female line was Menelik's elder daughter ''Woizero'' [[Zewditu I|Zewditu]], who was married to ''Ras'' [[Gugsa Welle]], nephew of the Empress [[Taitu Betul|Taitu]].

Menelik refused to consider Taye Gulilat, whom he deeply disliked. Wosan Seged was eliminated from consideration due to dwarfism. In March 1908, at any rate, Wosan Seged was in poor health and dying of [[tuberculosis]]. It was clear that the aristocracy would not respect a woman as their leader, so Zewditu was also not seriously considered at this time.<ref>{{harvp|Marcus|1995|pp=229f}}</ref>  On 11 June 1908, Menelik experienced a [[stroke]] while on pilgrimage to [[Debre Libanos]]. On 15 May 1909 Menelik informed his ministers that Iyasu would succeed him.{{cn|date=September 2020}} However, due to Iyasu's youth, Menelik agreed to the suggestion that he appoint a [[Regent]] ([[Ethiopian aristocratic and court titles|''Enderase'']]){{efn|Equivalent to [[Regent]].}} during the minority of his [[heir apparent]].<ref>{{harvp|Marcus|1995|p=231}}</ref>  Until Iyasu came of age, the elder statesman Ras Tessema Nadew would be [[Plenipotentiary|Regent Plenipotentiary]] (''Balemulu 'Enderase'').

In May 1909, shortly before the Emperor made this decision, ''Lij'' Iyasu was married to ''Woizero'' [[Romanework Mengesha]], the daughter of ''Ras'' [[Ras Mengesha Yohannes|Mengesha Yohannes]], granddaughter of Emperor [[Yohannes IV]], and the niece of Empress Taitu.<ref>{{harvp|Marcus|1995|p=238}}</ref> However, that marriage was annulled without having been consummated. Subsequently, in April 1910, Iyasu married [[Seble Wengel Hailu]], the daughter of ''Ras'' [[Hailu Tekle Haymanot]] of [[Gojjam]].