Egmund Norsord

## Egmund I

**Egmund Norsord**, later known as **Egmund I** and **King Egmund**, was the sole monarch of the Kingdom of Sordland. He ruled from 1866 to 1923, when he peacefully abdicated the throne, and Artor S. Wisci succeeded him in the newly-established Republic of Sordland.

## Biography

He was the leader of the Revolution of 1859 which toppled the Renan Aristocracy, and after 7 years of conflict, led to the proclamation of the Kingdom of Sordland. He claimed to be of *maroon blood* and a descendant of the Markian emperors.

Early in his reign, the capital city which had long been Erlory since the Markian Empire, was relocated to a city named Hol, renamed Holsord. It was also known for his conquests of Bergia in neighboring Wehlen and Agnolia, and the 15-Day War against Rumburg, which started a Sordish military tradition with the Imperial Army. These conquests earned him great popularity and goodwill among the Sordish population, soon however it would quickly be diminished.

The King seized all of the Renan's assets and transferred them into his own. Simultaneously, he made unpopular decisions, including the reduction of Renan welfare systems, which led to the largest protests in Sordish history and brought Artor S. Wisci, a republican leader within parliament, to national prominence. These decisions were reversed and rebellion was abated.

Infrastructure investment in the late 19th century helped bring the cities of Deyr, Valgen, and Sarna become hubs of commerce and invigorated the Sordish economy. This brought King Egmund a popularity boost, though his reputation would never recover. In the early 20th century, a dispute with the Empire of Valgos (the world's foremost naval power) led to a blockade which damaged Sordish trade and economy. At the same time, he failed to produce a male heir, which lost him the confidence of his traditional supporters.

While the Century of Revolutions had run its course in the world, the concepts of republicanism and democracy still held sway with many in Sordland. King Egmund's grip on power slowly declined and Artor S. Wisci once again rose to prominence. His arguments even radicalized one of the king's most trusted advisors, Heron Walt. Following this split in the Royalist faction, a chain of events ensued.

Energized by Wisci's speeches, thousands took to the streets and were unexpectedly joined by some in the Sordish 1st Army. And with their turn, the King had lost his chance of holding onto power. To prevent bloodshed, Wisci allowed the royal family to leave the country peacefully, entering a life of exile where he would pass away in an unknown date.

## Legacy

Within Sordland and internationally, the legacy of King Egmund remains controversial. Although many of his decisions were unpopular, his other decisions such as promoting Sordish nationalism helped build the Sordish identity. This fact was used by the republicans who succeeded his kingdom as a uniting factor for consolidating the republic; despite the removal of the kingdom's symbols and institutions under Tarquin Soll's presidency. The 15-Day War also remains a contentious subject to which Rumburg has recently demanded repayment for.

Many of the king's most die-hard supporters were Sordish monarchists, who were more often than not Sordish ultra-nationalists. One of the most notable, if not the most notable supporter of the monarchist cause was General Eduard Luderin. Luderin's coup d'etat was influenced by his dissatisfaction of Wisci's government and a potential restoration of the monarchy. Another group who supported monarchism, though largely forgotten in present times, was the Black Battalion. The Black Battalion were a militant group who often fought in Luderin's side and were responsible for many atrocities during the chaos of the Sordish Civil War. There were rumors of external support from another nation though these claims remain unsubstantiated.