Martlet

**Martlet** is a city in Ahremia, and serves as the capital of the province of Summerset. The city is known mostly for hosting a large portion of Ahremia's premier educational institutions as well as possessing a large foreign population. In modern times, Martlet is the sixth largest city in Ahremia, having grown three times in size since 1400 SY.

## Etymology

The name Martlet is Ahremian in origin, and translates to "small market town/city". The root of the name, "marte-" is an Old Ahremian word for market settlement. The "-let" is a diminutive suffix, indicating that Martlet was small when it was first founded.

## Description

The city is located on the Ahremian coast which provides the city with a sizable trading/fishing economy, accompanied with a small port. The center of the city boasts a range of architectural styles, with clear Cisalian and old Polovanian influences. The skyline is dominated by the Martlet Cathedral (built between 1233 and 1268) and a large clock tower which is part of the annex of the Suifere College.

To the south of Martlet is the district of Købns - the home to most of city's foreign population and considered a seperate settlement from the city in law. The city is surrounded by two walls, the oldest being built in the early 1300s and bounding what is now the central district of Martlet. A newer, although less defensible wall encompasses not only the city center but also Købns and the outlying areas of the city.

The rulers of Martlet and therefore Summerset reside primarily in Castle Martlet, located within the outer wall. Castle Martlet has gone through multiple re-buildings, and the current structure includes almost no buildings built prior to 1300 SY. A auxiliary residence is located closer to city's center and is mainly the place of governing for the Lord-Mayor of Martlet. The barracks and military infrastructure of the city are located along the north side of the inner wall, mostly in a military complex built by the Exelonian governor of Euritas Province (province of Exelon) in 1034.

Other notable areas of the city include Reggraden Square, the primary market of the city and the campus of Suifere College.

## History

### Before 881 SY

It can be assumed the site of Martlet has been occupied by Ahremians for hundreds of years before its first mention, but the first confirmed recording of the settlement was made in about 780 SY as one of the villages under the dominion of Redearl Ulmya, 1st Baron of County Summerset. Martlet is reffered to as part of the region of Salutemia: "...and under our Baron Ulmya *ner* Eurtiader is the communes of Aquarin, Caergraw, Wimborne, Pitmerden-Koubens and Martlet Town (...) as well as the rest of those in Salutemia..."

After this first mention, a few minor historical figures begin to appear with origins in Martlet. The most notable of which being Gladius Jerrounghoug (bishop of Summerset, c. 800 - 853) and Matroux Hillde (wife of Cesaris Hillde, the former c. 790 - c. 850).

Martlet again received a formal mention when it received the title of a market town in 840 SY, the title being ceremonially granted by Evvani Kranor, ruler of Euritas. It can be estimated that Martlet had a population of about 2,000-3,000 when it received this title. Throughout the rest of the 800s and most of the 900s it remained apart of the Kingdom of Euritas (previously mentioned) ruled by the Kranors which was established in 800 SY after the collapse of the Kingdom of Aesterbyen.

According to the leaders of Suifere College, the school's predecessor (known as the School of St. Dustia) was founded in 932 SY, which makes it the oldest school in Martlet and marks the beginning of Martlet's progress towards becoming the center for education in Ahremia.

In 881 SY Martlet received a city charter by the rulers of Euritas and unofficially became the center of the Summerset region, a title previously held by the town of Wimborne.

### Exelon

Martlet was not targeted during the Exelonian conquest of Ahremia, and was brought into the fold of Exelon in 973 SY along with the rest of Ahremia. Martlet fell under the jurisdiction of the Exelonian province of Euritas, and was the center of the district of Salutemia. The family assigned to the government of Salutemia and therefore Martlet was the popular Elvekian house of Reufi. The Reufis were very popular with the citizens of Salutemia and are considered to be a major factor in the growth of Martlet during this period. The Reufis main accomplishments include the building of the barracks complex within Martlet, the chartering of the University of Martlet, allowing the funding of Martlet's schools through both taxes and tuition, creating a trade alliance with the Kingdom of Cisalia (a alliance unique to Martlet which lasts to this day) and the remodeling of Castle Martlet.

During the Ahremian war for independence, the province of Euritas was the final province to be liberated, the Exelonian governors being dethroned in the summer of 1156 SY. The Exelonian lord of Martlet at the time, Sadete Reufi, was allowed to stay in his position but the Reufi's hereditary right to rule would be transferred to House Rivieron, of native Salutemian origin.

### Kingdom of Ahremia

Martlet was made capital of the province of Summerset in 1190 SY, and would retain that position up until today. The city of Købns would be formally incorporated into Martlet in 1258 SY, creating the district of Martlet-Købns, ruled by the former lord-mayors of Martlet.

Suifere College was attended by King Phylacus Kranor in the 1260s, making it one of three schools to be attended by Ahremian royalty. The rulers of Martlet, House Rivieron, was ejected from the Martlet throne by the Ahremian Senate in 1300 SY due to their support and funding of a foreign religious cult, and would be replaced by House Macharet, also natives of Martlet.