History of Grand Fenwick

This is the history of the country of Grand Fenwick until the restoration of the Duchy of Grand Fenwick.

## The Beginning Fenwick under the Duchy of Burgundy

Fenwick was first founded in 1471, with a land purchase by Sir James de Holacombe, a prominent and wealthy noble within the Duchy of Burgundy. He had purchased a sizable amount of land along the borders of what was then Swiss Confederation. Officially becoming what was known as the "Lord of Fenwick", and arguably the first Monarch of Fenwick, as James I. Spurred on by a messy political situation regarding the Holy Roman Empire, the Conflict with the Duchy of Lorraine, and the embargo policies against the Swiss Confederation, the Burgundian Wars would break out. The war would be an absolute disaster for the Duchy of Burgundy and the just blossoming lands of Fenwick under James I, with the formation of an anti-Burgundian league, and the decisive and destructive Battle of Nancy (1477).

## The War of the Burgundian Inheritance; French Occupation and the Exile of James I

By the year 1477, the Duchy of Burgundy had ceased to be an independent nation, with the death of Duke Charles the Bold at the disastrous Battle of Nancy. Questions about the succession were raised and not long after, the War of the Burgundian Inheritance would follow, sending more destruction and instability within the region. Upon hearing the death of Duke Charles the Bold, James I of Fenwick officially declared his support for the the deceased Duke's daughter and House of Habsburg's claim to the Duchy of Burgundy, however the King of France, Louis XI, immediately occupied the County of Burgundy and the Lordship of Fenwick, forcing James I into exile in Austria. While exiled in Austria James I sought to seek favour with the Holy Roman Emperor, Fredrick III and his son Maximilian, even attempting to raise a mercenary army, but his efforts were in vain, as by 1482, the War of the Burgundian Inheritance had concluded, with France annexing both the Duchy and County of Burgundy with the Treaty of Arras.

## In Exile: The County of Fenwick and the Return of James I

With the War of the Burgundian Inheritance over, James I and his son George, remained in exile in Austria, because of James I's official declaration for the House of Habsburg's right to rule over Burgundy. While in exile the the royals of Fenwick had made it to the Imperial Court, and were advisors to Emperor Fredrick III. The financial skills of George de Holacombe were noticed by the Holy Roman Emperor, and was appointed to look after and manage Imperial Finances, where they would gain immense power and influence within the Imperial Court. It would not last forever however, by 1493, Emperor Fredrick III had passed away, and his son Maximilian I had taken up the Archduchy of Austria in his place. By this point in time, the Treaty of Senilis was signed, and the County of Burgundy was handed over to the Habsburg King of Spain, Philip I, who had partitioned the County of Burgundy, and offered to elevate Fenwick from a Lordship to a County. By the end of 1493, the County of Fenwick was returned to James I.

## The Death of James I & The Reign of George I and Duchy of Grand Fenwick

In 1501, with the death of father, Count James I of Fenwick, George returned to Fenwick, becoming Count George I of Fenwick. He was a very meticulous and stingy ruler, and just like his father, was a very rich man (on account of being the Imperial Treasurer). George I had done much during his reign, improving his lands, and increasing his power and influence over the former County of Burgundy. It is during this time that Count George I would build a new capital for which to rule his estates, a small town called Saint-Joan, but later renamed to Georgetown after his death. George I would be granted the entirely of the lands within the former County of Burgundy soon after the early and unexpected death of King Philip I Spain. With the ascension of Emperor Charles V to the thrones of both the Archduchy of Austria and Kingdom of Spain, Charles V would find himself entangled in many different foreign conflicts, which entailed high spending, leading to the reliance of Gold and Silver imported from the New World. With Spanish Finances looking dire, the Purchase of Fenwick was offered to Charles V, in which George I would pay Charles V an exorbitant amount of money, for freedom and to be an independent state within the Holy Roman Empire. George I would take out several loans to finance the Purchase, but in the end, Fenwick would be raised to a Ducal title, and the Duchy of Grand Fenwick would be independent from Spain.

## Fenwicker Independence & The Religion Question

Having received independence from Spain, it was now upon the Duchy of Grand Fenwick to repay it's own debts. Meanwhile in 1519, a preacher by the name of John Calvin, had been spreading his version of Protestantism, and against splitting with the Catholic Church. Calvinism would be founded in the Swiss Confederation, however it would take a while for it to take root, taking until 1525 where Calvinism was firmly entrenched in the City of Zurich, and would reach the borders of Fenwick by 1531. At this point in time, the first Duke of Grand Fenwick, George I, had passed away in favour of his eldest son, Edward I. Edward I would tolerate the Calvinists within the Duchy of Grand Fenwick, and would encourage policies for Calvinists, as well a Protestants to reside within Fenwick, in the hope that skilled artisans and craftsmen would improve the economy of Grand Fenwick, and help pay off the debts of George I. However not everything was looking well for the Duke, as despite tolerating Protestant Lutherans and Calvinists, he himself did not convert to either, remaining a true Catholic. There were concerns among many that his son may not continue the tolerant policies of Edward I. Many started to call for the Monarch to convert.

## The Fenwicker Wars of Religion & The Calvinist Takeover

Edward I would refused to convert to Calvinism. Rioting would break out within the Duchy, and soon enough, religious violence between Protestants and Catholics spiked. Radicals were calling for the deposition of Edward I, and for the Fenwick to join the Swiss Confederation, where the rights of Calvinists would be insured. Civil War would break out in Fenwick, between those who still believed in Catholicism and the Monarch, and Calvinists and Protestants, who just wanted to ensure their rights were secure in the case that any future Monarchs of Fenwick changed their tone. The Conflict would destroy much of the progress that had been done to improve Fenwick and pay it's debts, prompting onlookers to watch in horror. The Calvinists would attempt to appeal to the Swiss Confederation, calling for them to intervene on their behalf, however the Swiss maintained their neutrality in the conflict. The Religious War would not last all too long however, with the death of Duke Edward I at the Battle of Georgetown, Fenwick would be left in the hands of his infant son, Edward II, and a council of Calvinists as his regent.

## The Militaristic Monarch & The Edwardian Infantry

Unlike his decendents before him, Duke Edward II of Grand Fenwick was not very good at managing money. He had advisors for that, and besides he didn't much care for finances anyway. As a young boy, he was fascinated with armies, and golden Janissaries of the Ottoman Empire, and the disciplined Swiss Mercenaries (especially the story of the 189 who defended the Pope to their deaths). With debts mounting against Fenwick, and the ever-mounting worry that France may try and reclaim Fenwick, Edward II sought to emulate the success of Switzerland, by creating elite units of mercenaries. Edward II instilled high discipline with his soldiers, even forbidding looting on the punishment of death. These elite units of Mercenaries, often called Edwardian Infantry, were a viable alternative to the Swiss Mercenaries, and would often see nations hiring both Fenwicker and Swiss Mercenaries to fight in their wars.

## The Price of Knowledge: The Great Library at Georgetown

The demand for Mercenaries was high, there were endless conflicts in Europe, and many who were willing to pay. Money started flowing into Fenwick, which went to paying off debts and development of Fenwick, and especially the Capital Georgetown. One of the great pet projects of Edward II, a great bank of knowledge, one to rival Pope, one controlled by Protestants as well as Calvinists. Many books were sought out and collected, that Great Library which was open to the populous to freely study, and a great University at Georgetown. The destruction of War turning into the glow of prosperity. The rapid increase in development would also create a massive population boom in Georgetown. Those coming to join the Court of Edward II, or those who wish to indulge in the works housed in that Great Library. Many would learn from that library and those books, and especially from the University. Among those including Edward's son, Charles.

## The Fenwicker Golden Age: The Reign of Charles I

Charles was raised in the libraries of Georgetown, his father often away commanding mercenaries to anyone willing to pay. As a result Charles was a shy soul however, instead heading outside and learning the art of the duel or horse-riding, he spent his hours in the library, endlessly learning whatever he could. His father Edward II saw the potential in his son, however, he had forced him to learn the art of dueling, riding and swordsmanship, to help maintain Fenwick's future independence and neutrality in the future, as well as the large amounts of money to be made out of mercenary contracts. Edward II's work would eventually come to fruition, as upon his death, his extremely capable son would inherit the throne. Ushering a Fenwicker Golden Age of Art, Literature, as well as Learning. A Golden Age of Fenwicker History that would last till his death.

## The Thirty Years' War, the Death of Charles I, & the End of the Fenwicker Golden Age

Religious tensions in Europe regarding the state of Protestantism, more specifically Lutheranism had gripped the Holly Roman Empire, and by this point in the 1600s, many states in Northern Europe, such as those in Sweden, Denmark, England and the Northern Holy Roman Empire had flipped to Protestantism, directly opposing the Catholic Church. Tensions would come to a head in Bohemia, when some Catholic Nobles on behalf of the Holy Roman Emperor, were thrown out of a window in 1618, often called The Second Defenestration of Prague. This would start a series of Religious Wars over Protestantism in Europe, often called the Thirty Years' War. Charles I, Duke of Grand Fenwick, had declared neutrality in the conflict despite being Protestants (of the Calvinist variety), as many sides of the Thirty Years' War relied on the elite Edwardian Infantrymen in their war. Charles I, also being an experienced commander, had lead several bands of his elite Edwardian Infantry directly in battle, despite Fenwick officially being neutral in any conflict. He would be contracted by the French, and would serve alongside them in the Battle of Freiburg (1644), in which the Franco-Fenwicker Forces would recapture the city, but at the heavy cost of both men and lives, including that of Charles I, ending the Fenwicker Golden Age.

## The Question of Succession & the Coronation of the Three Dukes

Upon the death of Charles I, there was no official heir to the throne of Fenwick, resulting in many members of the House of Holacombe to fight over the throne of Fenwick. Immediately upon the news of the death of Charles I, a distant relative would quickly get himself coronated as Duke George II of Grand Fenwick. However Duke George II was unpopular, as he had now levied high taxes from many of the Nobles to pay off the debts of Grand Fenwick, resulting in many of the nobles overthrowing him in favour of his brother, Charles II. Charles II would only rule for 74 days before unexpectedly dying. His son Edward III would take over the throne. Edward III would write the "Condemnation of the Monarch leading Mercenary Armies in peacetime", disallowing any future monarchs to lead mercenaries in peacetime and ensuring that no more monarchs follow the path that was the death of Charles I.

## The Reign of Edward the Reformer & Fenwick during the 1600s

Edward III would show signs of a true lawgiver. Spending his younger years writing novels and poetry, with no hope of gaining the throne of Grand Fenwick. However, his assumption was wrong. Edward III would help create new laws, institutions and even simplifying the law code of Fenwick, becoming the Edwardian Code. Some of the most significant laws the he would produce would be the "Treason Act", the "Tax Act" and the "Statute concerning the Question of Religion within the Duchy of Grand Fenwick". He would be succeeded by Edward IV, who would not be notable for anything beside drinking himself to death, succeeded by his brother James II.

## Fenwicker Inheritance & Fenwick during the 1700s

Fenwick maintained its independence through much of the 18th century. Leasing out much of it's Reformed Edwardian Infantry to many during the War of Spanish Succession, and many of the other wars that had followed. The most significant event that would happen at this time was the marriage between Duke George II of Grand Fenwick, and Maria Theresa, heir to the Habsburg Domain, which upon her father's death would result in the War of the Austrian Succession, which would essentially end in Austrian Defeat, with Maria Theresa giving up her title, and George III becoming George I of the Holy Roman Empire, and starting the House of Habsburg-Holacombe. Which would Catapult Grand Fenwick into the epicentre of European Politics.

## Napoleon's Invasion & the End of Grand Fenwick

By the time of the French Revolution, Fenwick had grown with much strength in Central Europe, even splitting Poland-Lithuania among Russia, Prussia and themselves. By this point King Daniel I had ruled the Duchy of Grand Fenwick, and had his daughter married to the King of France. Mounting pressures and the unpopularity of the French Monarchy would lead to the French Revolution, of which Fenwick and many other powers in Europe would try to control by invading France, and failing multiple times, being forced to cede Fenwick and Georgetown to the French in exchange for peace. Fenwick would later be decimated by Napoleon's Armies, and turned essentially into a French Puppet State, before driving the French away after their failure to capture Moscow.

## The Concert of Europe

After the border of Europe were redrawn, and Fenwick gained control over what was Switzerland, Fenwick mainly stayed out of European Politics, and attempting to keep it's large empire together, with many different and diverse ethnic groups residing within the many various territories. The Revolutions of 1848 would be a huge wake up call for the monarchy, as the mighty Empire that the Royal Family held almost collapsed, and was only controlled after intervention from other powers. This would prompt the monarchy to give more autonomy and rights to the different ethnic groups living within the Empire, creating a Semi-Constitutional Monarchy, the one in which would be the basis for Fenwick's current Semi-Constitutional Monarchy. Fenwick would not intervene in the unification of Germany, however they would disallow Germany from taking many of it's German-majority regions. Fenwick would continue to maintain it's neutrality and control ethic tensions until the 20th century.

## Fenwick in the 20th Century

Fenwick would ultimately stay neutral during the Great War, which had started over tensions over Morocco escalated to armed conflict between Germany and France and her allies. Fenwick would ultimately profit greatly from the sale of good to both sides of the Armed Conflict, before getting attacked by Italy, and being forced onto the side of France. The Southern Offensive by Fenwick was too much to bear and Germany would surrender. Fenwick would regain control of Silesia afterwards. After the Great War, Fenwick's wartime economy would suffer, and a decade later would entirely slow to a halt with the Great Depression. High tensions would arise as extremists would clash in the streets and pressure against the monarchy mounted. The last Monarch of Fenwick, Charles IV, abdicated, leaving Fenwick to fend for itself. However the newly establish republic was largely ineffective, and when the newly-arisen Germany knocked on its door, they joined more or less by force. Fenwick would suffer during Germany and Hitler's rule, and by the time the war had concluded, Fenwick found itself under Soviet occupation. Fenwick would regain it's independence as a neutral state similar to that of Yugoslavia before its socialist regime was overthrown and the semi-constitutional monarchy restored, with a new Monarch from an entirely different House