Christchurch

Christchurch is possibly Dyelli Beybi's wealthiest city, commanding scenic ocean views, real estate along the coast is valued at the highest in the country. Christchurch is also regarded as the centre for the arts in Dyelli Beybi with the 'East Benjian Republican Art Gallery' being said to have the finest displays of Impressionist art in Dyelli Beybi and possibly the whole of The Federated Klatchian Coast.

Chirstchurch also has a bustling port, and while it is nothing in comparrison to such ports as Saint Guineford's, Fiord Harbour, Jesuitlem, or indeed Cyro, it is still major enough to attract a fair degree of foreign trade.

Christchurch is currently the Capital of the Republic of East Benjia

Early City History

After the Racinia Crisis, Christchurch, or Newttown as it was then known, became a popular point for Dyelli Beybian friars, eager to preach to the masses, however at this point, the city was still on the 'wrong side of the border with Fasta Benj'. With the extinction of the 'Holy Newts' worshipped in Fasta Benj, Catholicism began to be seen as the most logical option and Christchurch celebrated it's coversion with a name change.

Christchurch in the Civil War

Christchurch largely escaped the ravages of the Dyelli Beybian Civil War, although it did suffer a bombing raid from Socialist forces. It was also the target of the only Socialist advance into Royalist Fasta Benj. However, this advance never reached the city. After being shelled by Tzar Henry IV's, the armoured columns withdrew to the North-East, abandoning the attempts to take the coastal road to Christchurch.

The East Benjian Adventure

During the Dyellian war of occupation that would become known as the East Benjian Adventure, Christchurch was captured by a large contingent of crack SS troops, many of whom had been drawn from Lunchtime O'Booze's veteran troops from Bath. For two days they ran unchecked, damaging property, raping and murdering indiscriminantely. However, the arrival of large numbers of Cheka agents in the city managed to put an end to the excesses, and a campaign of 'winning the people over' was embarked upon by the Cheka, including the building of a new Hospital and several new schools as well as large amounts of monetary compensations to victims and their families (no soldier was ever charged for their actions however). It was considered to be a success. While to many outside observers, the behaviour of the SS should have isolated the population from the Dyellian Government, it was not significantly worse that the usual behaviour of many of the Tzarist police during the long years of Tzarist rule.