Williamshire

Williamshire is a state in the northeast of Insomnia Central. It is named after Beech Williamson, first President of Insomnia Central.

As of 2000, its population is around 7 million.

## Geography

To its west, Williamshire borders the states of Airgead, Leviathan, New Redding-Hoof, and Fernaph. The rest of Williamshire is coastline.

The east coast is somewhat mountainous, whereas the west side is very flat. There are a few small forests.

Williamshire is mostly known for its large wheat fields, especially in the east. Williamshire is the main source of grain for the whole of IC.

## History

### Pre-Vlidian

The area has been populated by Somic people since the Szeina began counting years. The coasts were especially populated.

In the 2nd century, the First Frozen Era hit the area especially hard. The average temperature dropped by around 4 degrees Celsius. The period and subsequent famine caused a large migration of Somes from the region. Many left in small boats. Those leaving from modern day Williamshire were ill-fated. They travelled on a westerly current to the uninhabited island of Leojenta, and died off very quickly (see: Curse of Leojenta).

In 689, the large Some tribe split in two. Williamshire was in the north, so it became part of the Marken tribe.

### Vlidian

Vlid began raiding the Williamshire coast in 1294, before fully invading the following year. The people fled by sea once again, with some reaching the island that is today Wordsmith, while others made it to Leojenta and met the same fate as those who arrived 1000 years prior.

The area remained part of Vlid until 1369.

### Bajiri

The Marken people still left in the region declared Marken an independent nation in 1370. Marken was a poor nation in need of rebuilding.

In 1697, Marken sent many impoverished people from Williamshire to live in the south of Szeina. At the time, this was considered an act of goodwill, as Szeina was struggling with population decline, however modern scholars have suggested that this benefited Marken much more than was thought at the time. The Somian-speaking immigrants moved to what is today Scotch and Warklebury.

In 1778, combined Yurning and Eramorian (later Insomnia Empire) forces invaded Marken; reaching and annexing Williamshire by 1780.

When Eramore invaded Restmain in 1797, Williamshire was their coast of departure.

### Insomnia Empire

Under Insomnia Empire's 1798 partition, Williamshire was part of IE Yurning.

Beech Williamson was born in Williamshire in 1803. He declared himself leader of the rebel group 'The Objectors' in 1820. In 1826, Williamson gained independence for Yurning (which he then renamed to Insomnia Central). Williamshire was one of the states under the three states system.

### Fractim

Between 1870-5, leader of Redding, Qamar, was expelling 'rebellious' Somes from their homes in the state of Hoof. Insomnia Central called this 'deplorable' and allowed many of the people to move to Williamshire.

In 1894, the state borders were changed. Williamshire lost much of its Southern land, which became new states such as Paposterous, Dustarium (later the name Dustarium was moved to a different state, and the original Dustarium became Turnbull), New Redding-Hoof, and Truhans - but it also gained a small amount of land to the east, which today is part of the city of Leviathan.

In 1936, the state borders were changed again. Williamshire lost land to the south and the east, but gained a small amount in the North. One of the main reasons for the border change was so that the growing city of Leviavon (later Leviathan) could gain more territory to expand. Much of Williamshire's territory was given to Leviavon, but some was also used to create the new state of Fernaph. This was because the area \_\_\_\_\_\_.