Difference between revisions of "Isselmere"

Revision as of 01:18, 10 January 2006

United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland

Flag
Never so far as you wish it was.
Map n/a
Region	Lethe
Capital Royal Palace Parliament	Daurmont Wentworth Palace Pechtas Castle
Head of State	HRH King Henry V
Head of Government	The Rt Hon Geoffrey Middleton, Prime Minister
Unification Anguist Detmere Nieland	27 October 863 19 May 985 21 September 1016 25 June 1562
Holidays Coronation Day Union Day Constitution Day	19 May 985 25 June 1562 24 March 1986
Constitution	Constitution Act, 1986
Political Order	Constitutional monarchy
Government	Parliamentary democracy
Legislature	Bicameral parliament
Legal Tradition(s)	Mix of common and civil law
Spoken Languages Official Unofficial	English, Anguistian Several
Five largest megalopoleis Huise province (Isselmere) - 46.7 million Pichtland province (Anguist) - 38.3 million Oldmarch province (Nieland) - 32.5 million Angforth province (Detmere) - 27.9 million) Tichonia province (Isselmere) - 26.8 million
Area Total % Water	862,863 km² 28.1% water
Population (2005)	4,609,236,417
National Animal	Hoary tern
National Flower	Yellow rose
National Tree	Huise oak
GDP (USD, 2005) Total Per capita	$171,193,317,059,971.13 $37,143.27
Currency	1 lethse (£) = 100 pence (p)
Time Zone	GMT/UTC -0100
International Abbreviations	UKIN
Maritime Craft Naval Auxiliary Civilian	HINMS RINFA (IN)SS
National Anthem	The Road to Prosperity
Internet TLD	.ukin
Calling Code	+92

Introduction

The United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland (UKIN) is relatively ancient but until recently comparatively powerless. The UKIN is presently a member of several alliances and is noted for its publishing and automotive industries, although its information technology and shipbuilding sectors are advancing steadily.

History

History embroiders the UKIN's institutions and culture. Emerging from millennia of hard toil and centuries of struggle between ancient kingdoms and principalities that were the product of many human migrations, the United Kingdom as it is today is very much the result of gradual evolution rather than revolution.

Origins

Lethe is a recent outpost of human habitation. Situated in the North Atlantic, Lethe had been covered by an ice pack during the last great Ice Age. Millennia passed before its first human occupants settled on its shores after the glaciers had receding. The earliest human fossil records found date back to around 8000 BC, long after the rest of Europe was awash with people. Those who arrived were modern homo sapiens sapiens hunter gatherers who appear to have relied upon fishing, whaling, and birds, as well as rudimentary agriculture for much of their diet. Agriculture came mainly from hearty oat grains and domesticated animals that survived the voyage from the British and Irish Isles and the Continent.

The first written records regarding these early settlements came from Greek merchants looking for new sources of tin and copper after having been blown off course on their way to Ireland. They found the inhabitants to be distant cousins of the Picts of Scotland, speaking a broadly similar tongue, amidst whom they also found a few speakers of a mangled Irish dialect who appear to have been either merchants themselves or magnates. Polyphedos the Argive relates that the natives were "hospitable but untrustworthy, welcoming but xenophobic." There is no record of what the ancient Lethians thought of the Greeks.

Centuries later, another group came to the shores of presentday Isselmere. A Roman raiding party, sent by Agricola to reconnoitre Ireland came upon Lethe after being misdirected by a North Atlantic gale. Caius Paulinus seconds Polyphedos's analysis of native Lethians as a cultural offshoot of the Picts, including the propensity towards painting their bodies with what he assumed, incorrectly, was woad. Like their eastern cousins, the Lethians had no written language but did possess a highly stratified society. Paulinus notes that the Lethians were even more barbaric than the Caledonians, since the former captured and sacrificed one of the Roman soldiers to their gods.

In the period following the Roman departure from Britain and the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons, Lethe became inundated by Briton refugees. The Iron Age Britons initially fared little better than the Romans against the Bronze Age Lethians, but over time the two cultures merged, with the invading new Brythonic languages being subsumed within the native Lethian tongue, which by then also possessed a fair number of words borrowed from Irish, Scots Gaelic, and even Basque. This new culture gave rise to the Anguistian language and culture, pockets of which may still be found in the northern principality of Anguist, one of the four component regions of the UKIN.

The Three Germanic Kingdoms

With the Roman presence in Britain gone by the fourth century AD, Romanised Britain (approximately present-day England and Wales) suffered depredation from Irish raiders in the West and from Germanic peoples in the East. Eventually, the latter groups, consisting of Angles, Saxons, Frisians, and Jutes driven from their homelands along the North Sea coastline by other Germanic tribes, invaded in force driving those Britons they failed to kill westward towards Wales and Cornwall and north to the Kingdom of Strathclyde.

In the process of consolidating their new lands, further groups were once again displaced and forced to seek their fortune elsewhere. Some of these groups ventured to Lethe in around the sixth century accompanied by a Roman Christian priest, Semprini of Lucca. St Semprini reports in his History of Forgotten Lands that the native Lethians were no less barbaric than his companions/captors. The first group encountered, whom St Semprini called Picti based on the inhabitants similarities to their Scottish relations, purportedly believe the Anglo-Frisians had come to trade and were quickly overwhelmed. Later tribes sought to use the Germanic invaders against their neighbours and similarly failed. Gradually, the Germanic peoples forced the Anguistians back to about the borders of what became Anguist and Nieland where they resolutely remained.

Politics

The UKIN is a constitutional monarchy founded upon the primacy of law embodied by Parliament and the judiciary. Custom, exemplified by traditions often passed down over centuries, fills the voids where the law would place unnecessary burdens upon the organs of State, notably upon the Prince (or Princess) and Parliament.

Constitution

Until 1986, the United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland had a living constitution founded upon custom and a host of laws and other documents such as The Grand Roll. The United Kingdom then was a binary state consisting of the kingdoms of Isselmere and Nieland as well as the tributary territories attached thereto. Isselmere and Nieland were not joined simply by a personal union embodied by the Prince (or Princess), but also by an Act of Union promulgated by the two parliaments, the Parliament of Isselmere in Pechtas Castle in Isling, Daurmont, Isselmere, and the Storting of Nieland in Wednesbury, Redhaven, Nieland, in 1562, with the latter legislature effectively voting itself out of existence.

As the centuries passed, antipathy towards the Act of Settlement, establishing the personal union of the thrones, and that Act of Union instituting a political union between the two kingdoms, particularly within Nieland in spite of the generous degree of autonomy granted to that nation. Demands for the re-establishment of the Storting grew in strength when the Austrian Empire was forced to accede to Magyar pleas for a measure of independence with the creation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Pressures on the monarchy increased further with the Versailles Treaty of 1919 and the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1921. Agitation for greater freedom spread to Anguist and the Duchy of Detmere throughout the twentieth-century culminating in a welter of riots during the 1960s.

Parliament, on the urging of King Robert V, finally addressed the concerns of various peoples in August 1977 with the formation of the Constitutional Commission. The Commission studied a variety of possible formulae before deciding eight years later upon the creation of a federal state and the devolution of the Kingdom of Isselmere. Anguist became the Principality of Anguist whilst Detmere officially became a Grand Duchy, leading to a revision of the line of succession. Under the terms of the proposed Constitution, the Crown Prince (or Princess) became His/Her Royal Grace the Grand Duke (or Duchess) of Detmere, whilst the second in line to the throne became the Prince of Anguist.

With the promulgation of the Constitution Act, 1986, custom and statute became codified, and the position of the Prince and the rules of succession solidified. The United Kingdom of Isselmere and Nieland ceased to be a binary state and became a quasi-federal entity, the United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland, composed of four autonomous regions:

• the Kingdom of Isselmere;
• the Principality of Anguist, formerly part of Isselmere;
• the Grand Duchy of Detmere, similarly a former part of Isselmere; and,
• the Kingdom of Nieland.

The new United Kingdom has two official languages, the Union Parliament in Pechtas Castle (as is the Isselmerian Parliament, albeit within smaller chambers), and a united judiciary at the highest level.

Prince(ss)

The Prince(ss) is the King (or Queen) of Isselmere-Nieland.

Parliament

Legislative authority resides primarily with Parliament. Parliament consists of the Prince(ss) or his or her appointed representative(s), the Lord Commissioner(s), presiding over a bicameral legislature comprising the Senate (Upper House) and the House of Assembly (Lower House). In common parlance, however, Parliament is taken to mean only the legislature, since the main function of the Prince or Lord Commissioner in contemporary practice is to grant royal assent to a bill (i.e., to promulgate a law).

The Constitution Act, 1986 formalised existing conventions that each of the two Houses governs its own affairs and may initiate legislation on all matters with the exception of very few subjects falling under the royal prerogative (ennobling subjects, etc.; the Senate may not initiate bills of supply, either).

Until the introduction of the written constitution, Parliament had been paramount, in theory unfettered by any law adopted by previous parliaments, albeit in practice constrained by the unwritten, living constitution and the judiciary. With the Constitution Act, the law and not the legislature is supreme.

Parliament is the oldest State institution within the UKIN, dating back to the informal council of nobles that assembled in 1013 AD to decide upon the next king. With the appointment of King Joergen I, the council of magnates established itself as the King's Council (Curia Regis). The first instance of the term Curia Regis appears in a complaint by Eadwuld the Simperer, abbot of St Joergen's against the Baron of Mossbrook.

• "My lords of the King's Council ... The Earl of Mossbrook violates the Abbey's lands, its livestock, and its tenants. Indeed, his lordship offends God and the King with his rapine of these lands held for the return of Our Lord."

This missive also reveals the broad scope of earlier parliaments. As the King's Council's functions grew in number, its membership expanded and diversified (i.e., included commoner magnates, the gentry and the burgesses) and its powers increased. The House of Lords, predecessor to the present-day Senate, retained a stranglehold on the judiciary whilst the Assembly of Burgesses defended the rights of the towns. Able kings could manipulate the two Houses against one another to achieve their own aims. The weak, the vain, or the disinterested would instead promote unity within and between the fractious councils.

Unlike Great Britain, Parliament in the conventional sense never did displace the monarchy. The arrival of the Reformation in Isselmere and Nieland nearly produced a scission within the Houses that nearly resulted in the overthrow of a tolerant king, Edmund II (r. 1651-1684), but instead produced the Act of Toleration, 1684.

Government

The Council of Ministers is the seat of most executive authority, with royal prerogative comprising the remainder. The Sovereign or his or her Royal Commissioner(s) may preside over plenary meetings of the Council of Ministers, but only in an advisory capacity. In truth, the Prime Minister is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Government. The Prime Minister is chosen by the Sovereign from members of the House of Assembly, which may reject the royal selection in favour of a candidate of its own choosing. The Prime Minister, on consultation with the Sovereign, then appoints the other Ministers.

The General Council of Judicature (GCJ) administers the operation of the national and nationally-appointed judiciary. The GCJ serves as the supreme disciplinary body for judges and justices throughout the UKIN.

Despite these three bodies, it is the Council of State that is the de jure voice of the nation. The Council of State consists of the Sovereign or his or her Royal Commissioner(s), the Council of Ministers, the Council of Peers, the General Council of the Judicature, and the Privy Council. Formerly, the Temple Council, which governed the Reformed Church of Isselmere, was part of the Council of State, until the Church was disestablished in 2004. As noted above, the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, is the de facto government. The Council of Peers advises the Sovereign on matters concerning the nobility, while the General Council of the Judicature advises the Sovereign on judicial issues. In practice, the Sovereign has little or no influence on the GCJ and custom, as well as the Constitution, has made the Sovereign subject to the advice of the Council of Ministers. The Sovereign may also obtain the advice of his or her Privy Council, although generally that body is composed of active senior government ministers.

As stated above, the Privy Council is generally considered part of the royal retinue. It is chaired by the Lord Advocate, who must not be confused with the Advocate General. Within the Council of State, the Privy Council defends the rights of bodies bearing royal charters, such as public universities, certain municipalities (royal boroughs), and Crown corporations.

Regions, Provinces, etc.

The UKIN itself is divided into four autonomous regions (Anguist, Detmere, Isselmere, and Nieland) and further into twenty-nine provinces.

Anguist

Anguist abuts the North Atlantic, facing Iceland and the Arctic Ocean, sharing borders with Nieland to the south, Isselmere and Detmere to the east, and Lower Whingeing to the north.

Detmere

Detmere is the easternmost region within the United Kingdom. Its northern border confronts Hoblingland whilst its southern and south-western frontiers meet northern Isselmere. Detmere's western borders face Anguist.

Isselmere

The largest and historically most vibrant of the four regions.

Nieland

The second largest region.

Education

Nursery school - Ages 2-5

Primary school - Ages 5-10 (generally), Introductory Phase (Years 1-2), Elementary Instruction Phase (Years 3-6)

Secondary school - Ages 11-16 (generally), Initial Assessment Phase (Form 1-3), Ordinary Academic Capacity Examinations (OACE), Academic Evaluation Phase (Form 4-6), Certificate of Advanced Secondary Education examinations (CASE)

--16-years of age marks the end of compulsory education

College - Ages 17-18; General, Technical, Vocational, Certificate of [type] College Studies

Institute - vocational post-collegiate institution

University-College - general or technical post-collegiate institution; may permit access to university

University - Three official phases: baccalaureate, magisterial, doctorate.

Industries

Owing to massive investment in education and defence by Union and regional governments, the book publishing, automotive, and information technology sectors have blossomed.

The Royal Shipyards of Isselmere-Nieland (RSIN) is the largest nationalised industry in the UKIN and a noted manufacturer of warships. Though now outclassed in terms of foreign sales by Sarzonia's Portland Iron Works (PIW) and Praetonia's Imperial Praetonian Shipyards (IPS), the RSIN is still strongly supported by the Royal Isselmere-Nieland Navy (RINN) and the Jimnam Grand Navy (JGN). Its headquarters are in the northern city of Grimsby Downs, Anguist.

Umberton and Throckmorton (U&T) are the largest publishers in the UKIN, produces textbooks and educational multimedia for all instructional levels. U&T was once the primary publisher of religious texts for the Reformed Church of Isselmere (RCI) as well as other Christian sects and other faiths. With the RCI's disestablishment, U&T has removed itself from the religious market. Since 1915, U&T have supported young writers with the Great Authors in the Making (GAMUT) award. For each category, a jury of twelve authors and six publishers judge the works. The GAMUT is most frequently awarded to challenging and innovative works of fiction and non-fiction. U&T's central offices may be found in Cailliecross, Daurmont, Isselmere.

Turing-Babbage Integrated Technological Services Incorporated (T-BITS) is the UKIN's largest information technology (IT) company. Many of its hardware components may be found in everything from the latest generation fighter jets to little Tommy or Sara's toys. T-BITS head offices are in Stettering, Nieland.

Isselmere Motor Works (IMW) of Thistlemoor, Isselmere, is a major producer of military land vehicles as well as marine and aircraft engines. IMW has established foreign centres of production in Russkya and Rusokaria.

Lyme and Martens Industries (LMI) was formerly a major manufacturer of uncrewed vehicles, but its markets have fallen by the wayside with the growth products from Clan Smoke Jaguar's industries and other foreign firms. LMI's headquarters is in Ponsonby, Detmere.

Detmerian Aerospace Dynamics (DAS) is a mostly domestic industry, though it has achieved some foreign success with its Sea Fury and Spectre designs. Its central office is located in Fennerby, Detmere.

Defence Forces

The United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland Defence Forces (UKIN-DF) consist of the Royal Isselmere-Nieland Navy (RINN), the Isselmere-Nielander Army (INA), the Royal Isselmere-Nieland Air Force (RINAF), and the Isselmere-Nieland Orbital Defence Force (INODF).

RINN

The RINN consists of a broad assortment of vessels, from coastal patrol vessels to a pair of super-dreadnoughts. At its highest level, it is administered by the Admiralty, comprising of the First Lord of the Admiralty (i.e. the Secretary of State for the Navy) and the three Sea Lords. The First Sea Lord is the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) whilst the Second Sea Lord is the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and the Third Sea Lord is the Chief of Naval Resources (CNR).

Organisationally, the RINN possesses two navies, the Navy of the White that guards the UKIN's coastline and immediate interests and the Navy of the Blue that defends the State's broader strategic interests. Beneath each navy are fleet groups of several fleets, such as the Home Fleet Group with the 1st (Isselmere) and 16th (Detmere) fleets. The fleets are further sub-divided into squadrons, such as the 1st Expeditionary Squadron comprising of two expeditionary (task) groups. Administratively, similar unit types are collected into divisions -- for instance, the 14th Destroyer Division of the 4th (Northern Gap) Fleet.

The RINN is in fact a small version of the UKIN-DF with its own army, air force, and strategic defence force. The "army" is the Royal Isselmere-Nieland Marines (RINM), who have their own air service (RINMAS) as well. The RINM operates mostly from Expeditionary Groups, although most naval ships possess Marine detachments, alternatively providing or to fend off boarding parties. The RINMAS provides the air contingent on amphibious vessels.

Furthermore, the RINN operates the Coastal Defence Force (CDF), a network of coastal artillery stations and units, in conjunction with the INA.

The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is the Navy's air force. It performs maritime patrol (MARPAT) as well as carrier- and some land-based air defence and strike functions. The FAA works closely with the RINAF to secure the State's coastlines and economic zones.

The (Naval) Strategic Defence Force (SDF) is the umbrella organisation for the State's ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) contingent.