Medland

-House of Assembly (Lower House)

**The Kingdom of Medland** is the most powerful nation in the Old World. Straddling a large portion of the continent of Tannos, it once held a mighty empire that straddled the continents of Tannos and Arrana, with lands they once held now being part of the Union as well as the Principality of Shenlan. However, its sphere of influence still includes Kekere, the Thane Islands, and Port Sella.

## History

### Early History

During the Preclassical Age, Early Middern culture, derived from proto-Dernish, arrived from the North. Society was tribal; at the height of the Antian Empire it was estimated there were around 40 tribes in modern-day Medland. Imperial influence on the area was limited, outposts extended into Tolmandy but there were few settlement attempts.

In the Post-Imperial dark ages, small Petty Kingdoms began to form. Some of these became regional powers, such as Unster, Kalbry, Laythe, Adenan, and Herra.

Trinalism first made its way via Korlish missionaries in the 10th or 11th Century. Before this a druidic pantheon was worshipped throughout much of the region - it is believed to have shared some similarities to the Antian gods. It is thought that the oldest Trinalist site in Medland was a monastery in what is now Vintonshire.

By 1400 only Unster, Kalbry, Laythe and Adenan remained as independent petty kingdoms. Herra had been absorbed into the borders with Corland during its personal union with the Kingdom of Tolmandy. Supremacy during this period (sometime known as the Four Crowns preiod) was primarily vied between the Kings of Unster and those of Laythe, with Kalbry as the deciding ally. Adenan had faded into obscurity and by 1450 Unster was its overlord. Unster had a larger population, but the heart of the Orthodox Communion of the region at the time lay in Pyden, capital of Laythe.

### Unification

The Kingdom of Medland was founded in 1649 by Oswin I "the Great", King of Unster. Oswin managed to consolidate the other three Meddish kingdoms (Kalbry, Layth, Adenan) into his domain. He was crowned by the archon of Pyden on 1st Esperay 1649.

After the death of the last male member of the House of Unster, Horsa III "the Halfwit" in 2007, there was a 3 year interregnum as various nobles fought for the throne.

Alden, Earl of Sedwin - the maternal nephew of Alden II and Horsa III, eventually succeeded to the throne in 2010, reuniting the Kingdom of Medland in the Reunification War (2007-2011). He was crowned as Alden III.

### Expansion & Succession Crisis

After attaining the throne, Alden III began the Tolman War to annex the Duchy of Tolmandy. Alden's wife had been the grandniece of the Duke and, when he died without leaving any legitimate issue, Alden III pressed this claim to conquer the region. The war lasted from 2014 until 2027. In 2027, the last Duke's illegitimate son capitulated and surrendered the crown of Tolmandy to Alden.

After Alden III’s assassination in 2034, the throne was seized by his widow’s lover, Jorn Grenton - who ruled as “regent” until his infant son came of age. He was defeated by the son of Alden III, Prince Samwin, who had escaped the assassination attempt and fled to the Kingdom of Verria. After the defeat of Jorn Grenton at the Battle of Fearing Ford in 2041, Samwin, Prince of Unster was crowned King of Medland.

Beginning with an expedition led by Maxim Karst, 4th Earl of Ardevan in 2110, Medland began a colonising effort of Arrana.

At the same time as the Meddish were seeking expansion westward, they also took the opportunity to conquer their neighbouring kingdom of Tolmandy. The Kingdom of Corland, a longstanding ally of Tolmandy, had ensured that the kingdom would not be overtaken. However, in 2123 the King of Corland was overthrown and the kingdom fractured. In 2130, Prince Samwin (the future Samwin III), led an army on behalf of his father, King Samwin II, against Tolmandy. However the fighting was fierce and Tolmandy was able to call in various Corlian dukes to their aid. The 1st Tolmandy War ended in 2140 with the death of Samwin III.

In 2180, another attempt at bringing Tolmandy into Medland began with a military campaign led personally by King Alden V. He was killed during the first battle, and the 2nd Tolmandy War ended during the regency of his son.

A third came in 2214 under King Reckart I "Ironside". Unlike his forbears, he was successful, and managed to defeat the Kingdom. It was incorporated in 2215 as a shire. The former royal family fled eastward through the Tolmandy Pass into Corland and remained on their small estates there. Reckart married the daughter of the last Queen of Tolmandy and with her, had 3 sons: Alden, Dannock, and Reckart.

In 2268, when Reckart II succeeded to the throne, there was a succession crisis. His two elder brothers were supposed to assume the throne but both had predeceased their father and died childless. By this point, Reckart had been married off to the Duchess of Worslon. The Duchess was 8 years his senior when they had married and the marriage bore no children. She was, however, matrilineally distantly descended from the House of Sedwin. Just before his death, with various factions eager to press their claim on the throne, Reckart named the Duchess of Worslon’s son from her previous marriage, Willem of Baccan, as his heir. When the King died the following year, Willem ascended to the throne.

### Colonial Decline

Willem's younger son succeeded his elder brother as Dannock IV, he was nicknamed "Lackland" in many satirical pieces following the disastrous loss of both the Colony of New Medland, as well as the ceding of the halfling homeland of Hinter to the Confederation of Shenlan (itself gaining its independence in three years prior) in 2341 and 2343, respectively.

The death of Dannock IV left his daughter to ascend to the throne. Edane II married Alden-Maxim Marcher, 8th Duke of Suthermark in 2350. The House of Marcher, which had held the title of Duke of Suthermark since its creation, were a disinherited cadet branch of the Sedwin family (descended from the third son of Samwin II). The marriage was seen as a compromise between claim to the crown for the heir as well as keeping the heir’s family native to Medland (Edane II had been courted by the King of Verria as well as the Crown Prince of Dernland). There was concern that a personal union with another nation could weaken Medland further (after the loss of its overseas holdings of New Medland). The Duke of Suthermark, who had led the quashing of the First Bychan Uprising, was a national hero and considered to be a suitable consort for the queen. After her early death in childbirth with their second son, he served as regent for their son, the young King Alden VII.

### Global Resurgence

As regent, Alden-Maxim began a new colonisation effort. Royal Meddish Naval ships under Admiral Sir Horris Malden, the regent's brother-in-law, landed on the Kekere peninsula and established a trading post there in 2360. Additionally, a trading post was set up on Thereva in 2366.

From here, Captain Samwin Birling of the Royal Meddish Navy discovered an archipelago in the Eastern Ocean, northeast of Alemi and south of Yanam. The islands were eventually named the Thane Islands after then-Chief Minister, Hawke Grenham, 2nd Earl of Thane. The first settlement (and eventual capital), was named after Captain Birling.

In 2382, the Second Bychan Uprising began on the island of Bychan, which then spilled out onto Hunig. With military support from Shenlan, the rebels were successful and Shenlan eventually annexed the islands with minimal resistance later that year.

When war broke out in the Buff, west of the Union, Medland joined the Great Coalition against the Alevarian Dominions. The war ended in 2409 and was considered a success for the Union, in stopping the Alevarian forces, but the war proved unpopular in Tannos where the effects and reasoning were harder to feel and gauge. It had been costly and had nearly-brankrupted Medland and its empire. As a result, the Thane Islands were given greater autonomy and self-governance in 2411.

In 2453, the Kingdom of Eniyan invaded Kekere to attempt to annex the colony. Eventually the war ended with a Meddish victory. However, to ensure independence fervour was stymied, self governance was given to the natives of Kekere with the Monarch of Medland acting only as ceremonial head of state for the country.

## Geography

Madland is in Western and Central Tannos, bordering Dernland to the north, Rannikko and Corland to the east, Lekland to the southeast, and Nerro to the south. It also shares a maritime border with Shenlan. It is the second largest country by area in Tannos, after Dernland, and the 4th largest in the world.

Elevation ranges from the mountains of the Tergals (highest point: The Bennin at 8,933 feet) in the east to the shores of the Arrana Strait in the west. The forested uplands of northeastern Medland and the lowlands of Suthermark and Levenshire are traversed by such major rivers as the Haver/Leven, Col and Grannin.

### Shires

The Shires of Medland are areas that were established for administration by the House of Unster, in many cases based on earlier kingdoms and shires created by the early petty kings or Dernish conquerers. They are alternatively known as **traditional counties** or simply as **counties**. In the centuries that followed their establishment, as well as their administrative function, the shires also helped define local culture and identity. This role continued even after the shires took a backseat to a more centralised government.

## Government

### Monarch

Main article: Monarch of Medland

The current king is Alden IX, of the House of Marcher, which has been in power since 2357. Previous royal dynasties have been the Houses of Baccan (2275-2357), Sedwin (2010-2034 and 2041-2275), and Unster (1649-2007).

The Monarch’s heir apparent is known as the Prince (or, rarely) Princess of Unster. The second son is known as the Prince of Kalbry, and the eldest daughter (if she has not been made heir apparent) is known as the Princess of the Rivers. Since the passing of the crown to the House of Marcher, the title "Duke of Suthermark" is customarily given to the Prince of Unster's eldest son upon his wedding day.

The titles of Prince of Kalbry and Princess of the Rivers are held only whilst their parent the monarch is alive. Once the heir succeeds, these titles are lost (though many children of monarchs are bestowed with a duchy upon marriage).

The monarchy is male-preference primogeniture, however if the Monarch wishes to name his eldest daughter as his heir apparent (providing that, at the time, there are no legitimate sons), he may request an act of parliament be passed. This has only successfully happened once, with Dannock IV naming his daughter then-Princess Edane (later Edane II) as the Princess of Unster.

### Parliament

The current Parliament of Medland is a bicameral legislature comprising an upper house (the unelected House of Peers) and a lower house (House of Assembly).

#### House of Peers

The House of Peers is the older of the two houses, having existed since the foundation of the Kingdom under Oswin I. Any person who holds a substantive title of nobility is permitted to sit, with some titles being allotted multiple votes though those people who are assigned votes are not permitted to discuss matters, and only vote after being consulted by the sitting voter).

The titles of the peerage of Medland are (in order of precedence): Duke, Earl, Baron, and Lord of Parliament. The first three titles are hereditary, whilst Lords of Parliament are appointed for life, but with no ability to pass the title on (though many are often simultaneously made non-noble hereditary knights banneret).

Different titles are permitted a varying amount of votes which may be distributed to eligible members of their dynasty (all male children & grandchildren of a title-holder, spouses & widows of former title-holders, and females who are heir presumptive or heir presumptive of the heir apparent). A duke is permitted to 5 votes, an earl to 3, and Barons and Lords are given only 1. The allotted votes are drawn only from the holder’s highest title (i.e. A duke with a subsidiary earldom and barony would only have 5 votes, and not 9).

Members of the royal family may not sit within the chamber without disclaiming their royal succession: for example the 1st Duke of Suthermark was permitted to sit in the chamber after renouncing his claim to the throne (as the third son of Samwin II, with his eldest brother having an heir of his own, his claim was already distant).

The current makeup of the house is as follows:

* 23 Dukes & Duchesses
* 162 Earls & Countesses
* 544 Barons & Baronesses
* 82 Lords & Ladies of Parliament

The Lords of Parliament may not exceed 90 in number at any point in time.

#### House of Assembly

The House of Assembly (formerly known as the House of Burgesses) was founded in 1940 by Alden I - who established a lower house to represent the issues of the growing urban areas of the nation, which were not usually covered by the feudalism of the time. Therefore a small house of Burgesses was formed, with 60 members from various towns and cities. It was convened only occasionally and was only able to discuss laws, but could not block their passage.

Under Horsa III and his series of powerful regents, the strength of the lower chamber was increased. The House was expanded from 60 to 120 burgesses and , as well as later on, the inclusion of 120 “advocates” from the rural shires. These advocates were typically younger sons of nobility or hereditary knights. The first reform, known as the Burgess Empowerment Act of 1994 was intended to put pressure on the nobility, and fill an empowered lower houses with cronies for the initial Crown Steward - Sir Toban Meeks, who was himself only a heredity knight banneret. After the Earl's War of 1998, Meeks was removed from his office (and later executed) and the office of Crown Steward was passed to Yannick Bower, 6th Earl of Corbay. Instead of reducing the power of the Burgesses (which would likely have resulted in a popular revolt), Lord Corbay decided instead to give additional power to the lower chamber, by including representatives (initially known as “advocates”) to the house. These were easily bought members who were able to be swayed by the needs of the nobility.

Under Samwin I, after his restoration to the monarchy, the chamber was restructured as the House of Assembly, made up of Members of Parliament who would each have equal power between them. The nation was divided into electoral constituencies with each sending one MP to the parliament. This Assembly Reformation Act of 2042 established the parliament as it is today, though its numbers have grown over time (from 240 to 360 in 2203).

### Government

The Government of Medland is pulled from the ranks of Parliament. Whichever political party holds the greatest sway usually will instil its leader as the Chief Minister, who serves as the Head of Government. 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, 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.

#### Chief Minister

The Chief Minister is the head of government in the Kingdom of Medland. The role is typically occupied by someone (though not always) in the House of Assembly. The role is occasionally granted to a member of the House of Peers. The current Chief Minister is Sir Willem Shine MP (CP).

Upon retirement, commoner Chief Ministers can usually expect to receive an Earldom.

#### Crown Steward

Though still a title with very little official executive power, the Crown Steward is usually the ranking Peer in the cabinet - and officially the go-between for the government and the monarch. The Monarch may appoint someone of their own choice to the position, but this has not been done in over 100 years. The current Crown Steward is Allard Whittenard. 3rd Earl of Dyne, the Foreign Minister.

#### Second Minister

In the event that the Chief Minister sits in the House of Peers, then they must appoint a member of the House of Assembly as their Second Minister, who will take on their roles within the House of Assembly (similarly how the Crown Steward also takes on roles when the Chief Minister is an MP). There is no Second Minister currently.

Upon retirement, the Second Minister is usually granted a Barony.

#### Speaker of the Assembly

The Speaker of the House of Assembly is the presiding officer of the House of Assembly. They are elected from the House's number and serve at the discretion of the chamber. When elected, they resign their constituency (and party affiliation) and a by-election is held. They are expected to be nonpartisan. Typically, Speakers are granted a Lordship of Parliament and made a Knight Banneret upon retirement. However some have been granted Baronies. The current Speaker is Theddian Cropswell.

#### Lord Speaker

The Lord Speaker is the House of Peer's presiding officer. They are analogous to the Speaker of the Assembly. They are also expected to remain nonpartisan during their tenure. Unlike the Speaker of the Assembly, the Lord Speaker is elected at the beginning of each parliamentary session. The position is vacant until the beginning of the 2499 parliamentary session (expected to begin mid-Torran).

### Political Parties

Throughout the years there have been multiple parties take precedence in national politics. However there have been four that have held government since 2144. They have been the Loyalists (obsolete), the Populists (obslete), the Liberal Party and the Reformist Party. The Reformists (and previously, the Loyalists) have traditionally aligned themselves with traditionalism and conservatism, whilst the Liberals (and previously, the Populists), have promoted change and progressive policies. The current Chief Minister, Sir Willem Shine, is a member of the Reformist Party.

## Military

His Majesty's Royal Forces are comprised of the Royal Meddish Army and the Royal Meddish Navy (which includes the Royal Regiment of Marines).

#### Royal Army

The Royal Meddish Army is the land force of Medland. It is comprised of 2 foot guard regiments, 10 cavalry regiments, 18 regiments of foot, as well as numerous support corps.

#### Royal Meddish Navy

The Royal Meddish Navy is considered to be the strongest in the world. Their fleet is large but has not been updated for many years.

## Demographics

### Population

The Meddish people are Middern. In 1671, when the *Unster Chronicle* was compiled, Medland had a population of 3 million. About 10% lived in urban areas. By 2371, the population was 15 million, and by 2471 22.5 million. Due in particular to the economic prosperity of coastal Medland, it has received many economic migrants from the other parts of Tannos. There has been significant Shennish migration, especially in the city of Queensport.

Other people from the former colony of Kekere have arrived since the 2470s: in particular, 4% of people living in Medland have some family origins from Alemi, mostly Kekere. There is a significant minority of Yanamese, specifically Therevan and Meddish-Therevan, in the town of Reevepool (around 7%).

Medland contains one indigenous national minority, the Tolman people, a Corlian-descended culture who mostly live in Tolmandy.

### Language

As its name suggests, the Meddish language, today spoken by millions of people around the world, originated as the language of Medland, where it remains the principal tongue spoken by 94% of the population. It is a Tanno-Yanamese language in the Central Middern family.

Whilst multiple Meddish dialects once existed, since the Meddish Unification in the 17th century AR, the Unster dialect has become the national standard.

As well as Meddish, Medland has one other indigenous language, Tolman. Tolman almost died out as a community language in the 24th century but has since resurged.

The most common foreign languages spoken in Medland are Shennish (7%), Bhaasha (4.5%), Eniyane (3%), Rumic (2%), and City Garafani (1%).

### Religion

In the 2471 census, 95% of the population of Medland specified their religion as Trinalist, 2% specified that they were Amari, while 3% of the population belongs to other religions.

#### Trinalism

Trinalism is the most widely practised religion in Medland, as it has been since the Late Classical Period. The official religion is Orthodox Trinalism. 84% of the population is Orthodoxist.

The native communion became part the Orthodox hierarchy as a single archonate following the pilgrimage to Antis of King Unson the Good in 1698. Since then the Kingdom has been served by the archon of Pyden. Prior to this the various Petty Kingdoms (and the early unified Medland) were subservient either to the archons of Tyr or Malhavn.

Splinter denominations are growing and, in terms of congregational attendance, are now nearly 10% of the population. There are three main splinter denominations found in Medland:

* The Rubricist Communion (begun in Levenshire in 2381)
* The Alarene Sect
* The Blessed Movement (imported from the Union in the last 25 years)

### Titles, Nobility, and Honours

There remains a strong aristocracy in Medland. There are 4 hereditary titles and 4 ranks of peerage. All inheritable titles work as male-preference primogeniture.

The peerage is as follows:

* Dukes & Duchesses (currently 23 non-royal dukedoms)
* Earls & Countesses (currently 162)
* Barons & Baronesses (currently 544)
* Lords & Ladies of Parliament (currently 82)

All of these are hereditary titles, except that of Lord of Parliament. This is held by a person for life but cannot be passed onto heirs.

There is one non-noble hereditary title:

* Knight Banneret

Knights Banneret are not entitled to a seat in the House of Peers and may stand for elections in the Assembly. However, the title may pass to heirs.

#### Orders

Orders of Chivalry
 Noble Crimson Order
Companion (CCO)
 Royal Order of Meritous Service
Knight/Dame (KMS/DMS)
Companion (CMS)
Member (MMS)
Stranger (SMS)

The ROMS' rank of "Stranger" is awarded to foreign dignitaries.

## Education

Education in Medland has no central oversight. It is made up of various trusts, authorities, as well as the Archonate of Pyden and other denominations. It is seen as a right for children to be educated until the age of 10 in Medland.

Schooling in Medland is generally thought to be of 4 stages: Junior, Preparatory, Senior, and University. Some schools (particularly less prestigious schools) will combine Preparatory and Senior in a single "High" school. Most of the middle class can expect an education until 14 (Junior and Lower Senior - equivalent to the Preparatory).

#### University

Higher education is provided by universities and private colleges. Students normally enter higher education as undergraduates from age 18 onwards, and can study for a selection of academic and professional qualifications,

The typical first degree offered at Meddish universities is a fellowcraft degree, which usually lasts for three years (though some may take four). Following a fellowcraft degree, students may embark on a master degree, and then a doctoral degree for scientific study.

The following are the universities within Medland, and when they were founded: Garaburgh Minster University (1490), the University of Unster (1540), the Royal University Hospital (1713), the Royal University of Levenby (1908), the University of Ashbeck (1988), Prince's College of Natural Sciences (2196), the University of Pyden (2350), the Agrarian College of Granshire (2412).

Military institutes that offer degrees are: the Army School of Engineering, in Saxelowe, and the Army School of Veterinary Medicine, in Calktring.

## Culture

### Cuisine

Since the middle era, the food of Medland has historically been characterised by its simplicity of approach, honesty of flavour, and a reliance on the high quality of natural produce. This has resulted in a traditional cuisine which tended to avoid strong flavours, such as garlic, and also complex sauces which are commonly associated with Southron nations like Corland and Verria. Traditional meals have ancient origins, such as bread, cheese, and onions; pottage; roasted and stewed meats; meat and game pies; and freshwater and saltwater fish. Corlian cuisine has influenced Meddish cooking to some degree, especially in Tolmandy, although in Medland the meal still centres on pies and joints of meat.

### Sport

There are many sports which have been codified by the Meddish, and then spread worldwide, including Fieldball, Staving, and horse racing. In the late 23rd century, the Meddish game of Havening was transported to New Medland, where it evolved into Pitchball. Stavel and (League) Fieldball are considered to be the national sports of England.

#### League Fieldball

The most popular sport in Medland, league fieldball was first codified in 2398 in Pyden. The impetus for this was to unify Meddish school and university football games. There is evidence for refereed, team fieldball games being played in Meddish schools since at least 2081. Medland is home to the oldest fieldball clubs in the world (dating from at least 2380), the world's oldest competition (the Standards Cup founded in 2411) and the first ever professional league (2433).

The governing body for fieldball in Medland is The Field Ball Leagues (FBL) which is the oldest fieldball organisation in the world. It is responsible for national teams, the recreational game and the main cup competitions.

Meddish fieldball has a league system which incorporates hundreds of clubs, and is topped by two fully professional divisions. The elite Senior League has 12 teams. The Junior League sits below it and has 24 teams. Annual promotion and relegation operates between these two divisions and also between the semi-professional Shire Leagues.

The two main cup competitions in Medland are the Standards Cup, which is open to clubs down to fourth tier of the Meddish league structure; and the Shires Cup, which is for the champions of the top tier of the Shire Leagues to decide which team is promoted to the Junior League.

##### National Team

The Medland national fieldball team is the joint-oldest in the world; it was formed at the same time as Shenlan's. A representative match between Medland and Shenlan was played in 2409, having been organised by the FBL. This match, played at Raftery Park in Pyden, is viewed as the first official international fieldball match. Medland defeated Shenlan 15-6. Over the next two decades, Medland and Shenlan were the only international teams until Nerro and Corland founded teams in 2438.

Since their very first international game, the Meddish National Team has played their home games at Raftery Park. Initially this was also home of Pyden City FBC. However, Pyden City have since moved to Shuttle Lane.

#### Staving

Staving is another popular team sport, regarded as a national sport and the second most popular and followed sport in the country

Although there is some debate about the origins of the game, modern Staving is generally believed to have originated in Medland with the laws of staving – adhered to by players at all levels worldwide – established by the Pyden-based Southbank Staving Club (SSC). Although the origins of staving in Medland date back as far as the 19th century, formal laws of the game began to be developed in the 22nd century.