Chief Minister of Medland

The **Chief Minister of the Kingdom of Medland** is the head of government in Medland. The chief minister chairs the cabinet and selects its ministers, and advises the sovereign (alongside the Crown Steward).

Whilst a Crown Steward had existed since the very beginnings of the country, the office of Chief Minister was created in 2144 during the reign of Dannock III, in order to maintain government rule during the absence of the monarch (usually, in the case of Dannock III, during wartime). After the formal creation of this title, usually given to the leader of the majority party in the House of Assembly, the Chief Minister quickly overtook the importance of the Crown Steward, who simply became a background figure (usually a royal favourite) as the title had never constitutionally had its powers officially created.

The current Chief Minister is Sir Willem Shine.

## Biography

### Spouse

Sellyn Corl, Countess of Cathwell (2109-2184) (m. 2134)

### Children

* Lucan Mathely, 3rd Earl Cathwell (2135-2192)
* Edane Mathely, Lady Walder (2138-2205)

## Chief Minister

### Other Offices

* Crown Steward (2146-2149)

**Reckart Mathely, 2nd Earl of Cathwell**, RC (2102 - 2159; known between 2123 and 2129 as **Lord Mathely**) was a Meddish statesman and Loyalist politician who served as the first Chief Minister of Medland.

Prior to his appointment as Chief Minister, Cathwell had served Lord Chamberlain to King Dannock III as well some time in the Royal Meddish Navy. His father was made Earl of Cathwell in 2123 for his long service as Lord Justice of Unster.

Though his period as leader was short officially, he was made Crown Steward following the Election of 2146, and thus King Dannock's go-between when Topsen took over as Chief Minister. He served in this role until the election of 2149 where the Loyalists were roundly defeated and his party was unable to maintain the confidence of either chamber.

Upon leaving office, Cathwell stayed in Pyden and continued as a royal favourite of the King and was made a member of the Order of the Royal Companions in 2150.

He was killed in a hunting accident in the Solfry Forest to the northwest of the capital in 2159. He was shot by Sir Tyran Walder, the Earl's son-in-law, who purported to have mistaken him for a boar. He was succeeded to his titles by his son, Lucan, who would also serve as Crown Steward to Sir Willem Kale Forst nearly a decade later.

Cathwell has been remembered fondly by many of his successors, who saw him as one of the architects of the current parliamentary system whilst his critics see him as an unelected autocrat who ruled with little regard for much beyond his own reputation.

The former flagship of the Royal Meddish Navy was named RNS Cathwell, which was launched in 2240 and retired in 2279. Cathwell College, a college in the University of Unster, was founded in 2205 by an endowment left by his daughter in her will.

## Biography

### Parents

* Aldus Topsen (2083-2111)
* Della Fullman (2086-2140)

## Chief Minister

### Other Offices

* Crown Steward (2152-2157)

**Willem Topsen**, 1st Earl of Wyche (2110 - 2188) was a Meddish statesman who served as Chief Minister of Medland from 2146 until his retirement from office in 2152. He served as the 2nd Chief Minister of Medland, as well as its first to come from the House of Assembly.

Topsen was born to a Aldus Topsen, a shoemaker, and Della Fullman, daughter of the one-time Mayor of Saxlowe, Willem Fullman. On behest of his maternal grandfather, the young Topsen was educated at the Saxelowe Minster School before being sponsored to study at the Royal University of Levenby. He graduated with a fellowcraft degree of Law in 2133. He served as a prosecutor until his election.

   He was elected to represent the constituency Wyche & Wenter in Saxeshire in a by-election in 2137. He originally lay more with the Loyalists, but swiftly changed allegiance to the Populists.

Topsen's first ministry began after his victory at the Election of 2146. However his faction, the Populists, did not win an outright majority and so he formed a coalition with the outgoing Earl of Cathwell. This partnership was unproductive and the two men frequently clashed over most policy.

Following his outright victory in 2149, Topsen was able to make greater gains in policy-making. He established regular elections and cemented the beginning of each Parliamentary session as the 24th Torran (Blessed Cerwin's Day) of the election year. He also established formal roles within the Cabinet (as opposed to the more nebulous approach that had existed before)

Topsen stepped down as leader of the Reformists following the 2152 election, and allowed his Minister of War to succeed him. Topsen was made **Earl of Wyche** and **Baron Topsen**, in the Shire of Saxelowe, after leaving office - setting a precedent continued (usually) to the present day.

Having never married, and thus having no issue, his titles died with him when he passed away in his townhouse aged 78.

However, his nephew, Samwin Topsen (via his brother Arlan Topsen), was made 1st Baron Topsen of the Second Creation.

## Biography

### Parents

* Toban Garp, 3rd Baron Garp (2075-2141)
* Orthred Stromsing, Baroness Garp (2073-2134)

### Children

* Dannock Garp, 5th Baron Garp (2138-2202)

## Chief Minister

### Other Offices

* Minister of War (2146-2152)
* Crown Steward (2149-2152)

**Jorn Garp, 4th Baron Garp** (2102 - 2152; known between 2102 and 2141 as **Hon. Jorn Garp**) was a prominent Populist statesman. He succeeded Sir Willem Topsen as Chief Minister in 2152 after maintaining the Reformist's majority.

Lord Garp was born to Toban Garp, 3rd Baron Garp at the family seat of Loper Castle, in Nellandshire. Lord Garp's grandfather had been awarded the title for his service as Sheriff of Nellandshire. The family had previously been made Knights Banneret of Loper the previous generation.

In 2133, Jorn Garp married his maternal cousin, Irna. Irna's father (and Garp's maternal uncle) was a noble in Dernland, holding lands a little further north than the Garp estates around Loper Castle.

   He served briefly as an MP before succeeding to his father's title in 2141. By this time, Garp had proven himself a favourite at court and had gained the trust of King Dannock III.

Despite being a renowned politician, having served in Topsen's ministries as Minister of War and Crown Steward, there was some discontent regarding his governing from the House of Peers. As The Crown Steward was also a nobleman, it was decided that a representative from the House of Assembly should be ensured a deputy leadership position. Therefore, Lupold Sutter, who had been serving as Treasurer (and therefore was seen as the most senior MP in the Cabinet), was given the title of Second Minister.

Despite impressive credentials and a strong majority, Garp's ministry was short and has fallen into obscurity due to his untimely demise.

During a dinner meeting with his cabinet, Garp began suffering from a coughing fit during dessert and died at the table. As all members of the cabinet were present, a motion was passed to make Lupold Sutter the new Chief Minister before the apperetifs had been served.

His only child, Dannock, succeeded to the barony and even served as Crown Steward under Sir Roose Mench.

## Biography

### Parents

Alden Sutter (2070-2124)Edane Brushman (2076-2138)

## Chief Minister

### Other Offices

* Minister for Home Affairs (2149-2152)
* Second Minister (2152)

**Lupold Sutter**, 1st Baron Sutter (2105-2170) was the first Second Minister and the fourth Chief Minister of Medland. A member of the Populists, he rose from being the son of a cobbler to a powerful statesman.

Born in Reevepool to Alden Sutter, the son of Anhassian immigrants, and Edane Brushman, Sutter was given little formal education before beginning to apprentice under his father. However, after the death of his father, Sutter began working as a footman in the household of Sir Reckart Mortly, a prominent judge in Reevepool. During a war with Dernland, Sutter was brought on as Sir Reckart's squire. The two formed a close bond and, in 2129 Sutter married Sir Reckart's youngest daughter.

With new connections, Sutter was able to move up to a position as a Clerk under Mortly, before being elected as an MP in 2146, representing a rural constituency including the Mortly estate.

A shrewd man who had learned greatly from his father-in-law, he was able to rise up in the tumultuous world of the Populist faction of Parliament. Following the 2149 election which secured a Populist victory, Sutter was made the inaugural Minister for Home Affairs.

Sutter continued to rise through the ranks and clashed frequently with the gentry and peers, especially the Earl of Cathwell.

After Lord Garp was made Chief Minister, it was decided there must always being a leading member of the Cabinet from the lower chamber. This "Second Minister" was decided to be Sutter as he had a strong grasp over the commons.

Following the untimely demise of Lord Garp, Sutter was raised to Chief Minister during dinner. He led the Kingdom well, though was not respected much by Dannock III. Instead, he had to begrudgingly share power with the Earl of Wyche, whom the King respected.

Sutter led government into victory in 2157 and, after his second ministry, retired from the frontline of politics. He remained in Parliament as an MP until 2163, when he was raised to the peerage. Reportedly he was expecting the Earldom that Topsen had set as a precedent, but received only a barony, being made **Baron Sutter**, in the Shire of Suthermark in 2164.

He passed away from a fever during a visit to Pyden, the day following his 65th birthday. His title passed to his only child, Lisynda, who succeeded him as the 2nd Baroness Sutter.