Republic of Mayensland

Mayensland, officially the **Republic of Mayensland** (French: *La République du Mayensland*; Spanish: *La República de Mayensland*), is a country situated in the Bay is Biscay between France and Spain. The country recently became a democracy following the death of the dictator Llopis and a revolution that overthrew the decaying Llopist regime. The country underwent a brutal five year civil war, which is still ongoing in certain parts of Mayensland- specifically the provinces of Orilla and the FAZ.

### Pre-History and Antiquity

Evidence suggests that the territories of Mayensland were settled by humans around 1.5 million years ago.

Numerous artifacts have been found suggesting that Mayensland was settled by Neanderthals, and later the first homo-sapiens. Artifacts also suggest that Mayensland was settled by Homo Sapiens of the Azilian culture around 40,000 years ago. Parts of Mayensland were flooded around 20,000 years ago, creating the San Aigean Strait (separating the islands from the mainland). This created migration into the modern plains.

The plains would become the center of neolithic activity due to its fertile land, with small village communities being formed. The Mayen population would remain largely concentrated in the region of the Plains and Petaini, although fishermen tribes began to form in the modern Sunny Coast and in the Suebi region.  It is believed there were about 10 tribes in the plains/ petaini area, with a further 4 near the coast, and 2 near the lakes.

Around 55 B.C, Julius Caesar led an invasion into Mayensland, thus incorporating the territory of modern Mayensland into the Roman Empire.

Roman dominion in Mayensland was initially loose, however as the Roman Empire began to extend its control over Mayensland, there were occassional rebellions- the most famous one being led by the chieftain Bels Hars in 20 BC. These rebellions led to the re-settlement of Gauls and other ethnic groups into modern day Mayensland- specifically to work as agricultural workers. Gradually, the Romans latinised Mayensland, with Mayensland becoming a full Roman province in 63 AD.

These territories of Mayensland were ceded to the Visigoths in the early 5th century AD after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the conquests by the German tribes.

### Early Middle Ages

After 418, Mayensland became part of the Visigothic Kingdom in Western Europe.

In 507, the Frankish Empire began an invasion of the Visigoth Kingdom and, as a result, by 508 most of Mayensland, except the territory of modern Orilla, was controlled by the Frank.

In 602, the Duchy of Mayensland and Duchy of Orilla were created on the territory of modern Mayensland, making them independent duchies of the Duchy of Vasconia. The two duchies would be merged under the leadership of Duke Mauger in 632, following a Basque invasion of Orilla.

Over the next century, the duchy of Mayensland became increasingly autonomous, eventually culminating in the de facto declaration of independence by Prince Grifo I in 714.

By 738, France had ended Mayensland's short period as an independent princedom, although rebellions by various nobles would continue until the end of the 8th century.

For the next four centuries, Mayensland would remain an autonomous Duchy, which would be mostly loyal to the French King.

### English Period & Independent Kingdoms

In 1163, the Duchy of Mayen became an English vassal after an internal civil war within the nobility.

During the period of English vassalage, Mayensland was commonly involved in wars with France, which caused certain tensions within the local nobility. At the same time, the period of English rule led to the emergence of a distinct Mayen identity and created a culture of trade in the San Aigean islands, as well as Suebi.

Due to English losses in the Hundred Years War, as well as noble discontent due to increased taxes, English dominion over Mayensland ended in the late 14th century. While Mayensland did initially return under the dominion of France, the weak state of the central state, as well as wars between nobles set the groundworks for the Duke of Mayensland, Philip the I, to proclaim himself King.

The Independent Kingdom of Mayensland lasted for almost 60 years, and was eventually subdued by a French invasion due to a succession crisis within the Kingdom.

However, French control over Mayensland proved tenuous at best, as it faced local rebellions and a tradition of autonomy. Yet this period also saw the discovery of the New World and a boom in local commerce, with the expansion of the ports in Suebi.

In the mid 16th century, religious tensions between local Huegenots and the Catholic duke boiled over into a rebellion by the Count of Orilla, who proclaimed himself an independent King. The second Kingdom of Mayensland would adopt protestantism as its state religion, founding the Mayensland Church which remains the primary protestant group in the nation.

The second Kingdom would be allied to England and the French Huegenot movement, which ultimately would be their downfall, as the Kingdom would eventually succumb to a French invasion and later direct rule.

### Early Modern Period

With the end of independence, a period of direct rule was imposed in Mayensland. However, it did not last due to noble rebellions, which ultimately led to the loss of Orilla to Spanish forces. The Duchy of Mayen was officially restored in 1659.