NS Name: The Black Party
Official Nation Name: Norræna ríkið (The Northern Liege)
Unofficial Nation Names: The Liege, Northern Realm, Northern Company, Northern Outpost.
Anthem: "God With The Regent" / "Dieu Sauve Le Regent"
National Flag:
Royal Standard of The Liege
Territory:
Subtract Copenhagen
The territory of The Liege is recognized by mostly aquatic borders. The Liege stretches from the Elbe to the Vistula rivers, which act as important infrastructure and natural defenses for The Liege. Their southern border is determined by the endpoints of these rivers. In the North, The Liege borders the Baltic Sea, where the Danish Peninsula remains under firm Frankish control. The north also hosts the capital port-city of Hanseatisch, modern day Lübeck.
Capital City: Hanseatisch (MT: Lübeck)
Population: Aprox. 750,000
Leader: Lemieux "Lübeck" Livonian (16)
Government Style: Indefinite Regency, Classical Police-State.
Ethnic Groups: Francs, Danes, Swedes, Germanic-Polish minority.
Religions: Catholics, Pagan minority.
Culture:
The culture of the Liege is a alluring mix of Scandinavian-Nordic culture, with a Frankish touch. There has been significant influence by both cultures in areas of art, music, law, technology, language, and architecture to the point that the Liege boasts two official languages; French, and Danish. However, the culture divide can expressly be seen in Religion. While the Frankish Governors brought Catholic teachings and Churches to convert the Scandinavian population, a distinctive minority of Nordic-Pagan's remain underrepresented, and at times, oppressed. This Religious divide had not brought civil strife of significance to the Liege, but without a massive conversion effort, or proper representation in the Liegian Government, it is difficult to predict the result of this divide.
The Liegian Landforce is a sub-par formation. Throughout it's history, the Landforce has never seen significant action outside of a few Veteran Regiments which have seen the slow-paced combat of the 1st Liegian War. It is often seen as the lowest line of work to be employed in the Landforce, which have the low honours of garrisoning the ports and borders of the Liege. They are vastly overshadowed by the much more experienced and renowned Merchant-Navy and Royal Police (Safeguard), the latter of which protects the Government, and operates Safeguard Regiments to protect business owners from thieves all too-common in the trading-post turned nation. Highly renowned for the crime-stopping and civil peacekeeping, the Royal Police has engaged criminals of every calibre. Well-funded, and better armed then the Landforce, the Royal Safeguard and Merchant Navy is the pinnacle of the Liege.
On societal terms, The Northern Liege is home to one of the richest kingdoms. Bordered on the Vistula River on the East, and the Elbe River on the West, these channels make for both natural defences and nationwide access to the sea. These rivers also serve as supply routes for quickly moving food and armaments up and down the nation, and are joined by many bridges compimented by Safeguard checkpoints. On sea, The Northern Navy is responsible for running both Merchant-Marine treks as well as demonstrating naval prowess. With the entire Northern Border attatched to the Baltic Sea, being closer to the ports means being first to make trade. This is seen as the Northern provinces of The Liege are housed by the upper-class, by the capital city of Lübeck. Further Southeast, comes the farmland and ranches of the nation, though far from lower class in comparision to other, much larger Kingdoms.
In summary, cultures of the Liege include a strong merchant-navy; a disciplined, well-trained, royal police force; a neglected and completely inexperienced land force, remarkable set of diverse languages; an overall abundance of wealth; and a rift between Frank-Nordic and Catholic-Pagan sects.
The Liegian Landforce is a sub-par formation. Throughout it's history, the Landforce has never seen significant action outside of a few Veteran Regiments which have seen the slow-paced combat of the 1st Liegian War. It is often seen as the lowest line of work to be employed in the Landforce, which have the low honours of garrisoning the ports and borders of the Liege. They are vastly overshadowed by the much more experienced and renowned Merchant-Navy and Royal Police (Safeguard), the latter of which protects the Government, and operates Safeguard Regiments to protect business owners from thieves all too-common in the trading-post turned nation. Highly renowned for the crime-stopping and civil peacekeeping, the Royal Police has engaged criminals of every calibre. Well-funded, and better armed then the Landforce, the Royal Safeguard and Merchant Navy is the pinnacle of the Liege.
On societal terms, The Northern Liege is home to one of the richest kingdoms. Bordered on the Vistula River on the East, and the Elbe River on the West, these channels make for both natural defences and nationwide access to the sea. These rivers also serve as supply routes for quickly moving food and armaments up and down the nation, and are joined by many bridges compimented by Safeguard checkpoints. On sea, The Northern Navy is responsible for running both Merchant-Marine treks as well as demonstrating naval prowess. With the entire Northern Border attatched to the Baltic Sea, being closer to the ports means being first to make trade. This is seen as the Northern provinces of The Liege are housed by the upper-class, by the capital city of Lübeck. Further Southeast, comes the farmland and ranches of the nation, though far from lower class in comparision to other, much larger Kingdoms.
In summary, cultures of the Liege include a strong merchant-navy; a disciplined, well-trained, royal police force; a neglected and completely inexperienced land force, remarkable set of diverse languages; an overall abundance of wealth; and a rift between Frank-Nordic and Catholic-Pagan sects.
History:
Founding:
The Northern Liege was originally established as a satellite state by the Frankish Kingdom to open up connections into Scandinavia at the height of military expedition. Settled by Franks in 760 during the Carolingian expansion West under the reign of Charlemagne, Charlemagne wished to expand the Kingdom north, directly challenging the Swedish and Norwegian states. To prepare for such an invasion, Charlemagne ordered the Germanic Tribes living in the area to be driven Westward. These tribes would later form the heritage of the Romuvian Union. Charlemagne almost cleared the invasion of Scandinavia, but was halted by the instability of the Papal States on the Italian peninsula, preventing a direct naval invasion of the Scandinavian mainland. After much deliberation, Charlemagne agreed with his advisers to intervene in the South, before returning to the Northern front. For the meantime however, Charlemagne had to strike a deal with the warring-Scandinavian leaders to ensure that no Viking Expeditions threatened the stability in the Frankish North. With much hesitation, The Northern Liege was established, as what Charlemagne saw as a temporary satellite-trading state for Scandinavian merchants to settle and trade with the European mainland, while remaining under benevolent French Governance. With this, the Scandinavian leaders agreed to restrict their viking expeditions to outside of Frankish borders, as The Northern Liege grew in both riches and population. Nordic's and Germanic Tribes emigrated and settled The Northern Liege for it's prosperous societies and trading outposts, much to the dismay of the Frankish folk who had settled the area for some 80 years prior.
1st Liegian War for Independence:
When King Charlemagne passed on 814, The Northern Liege was still in existence, under a Governor. Charlemagne left no passing will dictating the terms of The Northern Liege. As he died, he died believing that The Northern Liege was a principality of his Kingdom, which the surviving Monarch upheld. When the Frankish Kingdom dissolved in 843, only Charles of West Francia acknowledged The Northern Liege as an independent state, albeit, only to weaken his rivals in East Francia. The peoples of The Northern Liege fought for independence in all forms of warfare up until 911, when East Francia collapsed into the German States. Throughout the war, Francs were persecuted and expelled by the Nordic majority apart from the French Governor and Administrators of the Region, who remained loyal to the rich Northern Liege and it's Scandinavian settlers. Corentin Melzi I of The Liege, former Aristocrat of the Frankish Kingdom now Liegian Governor, led the war for independence and upheld strict Christian virtues while expelling French from the Liege. This Christianization of the Liege placed Corentin Melzi I and his province in good favour of the Holy Roman Emperor, who backed the Liege with armaments and logistics. With the economic support of the Holy Roman Empire, and military support from West Francia, the Liege successfully repelled East Francia and established itself as an independent state, though with hefty debt to West Francia.
The "Nordkrisen":
When the war ended with Corentin Melzi I leading victorious Liegian Forces, then began the "Nordkrisen" (North Crisis). The "North Crisis" saw factions of the now powerful Liegian Clergy advocate for absorption into the Holy Roman Empire, strengthening Christian influence in Northern Europe and opening the possibility for a Crusade heading to Norway and Sweden. Additionally, subjugation to the Holy Roman Empire also meant that the debts owned to West Francia for their military support could be payed for by the Holy See. Although initially rejected by the French Administration of The Liege, the Clergy was powerful enough to force the Governors to accept integration with the Holy Roman Empire with the thread of radical Christian uprising. Corentin Melzi I was reluctant to Govern the Liege under the Holy Roman Emperor after victoriously leading their war for independence, but for allowing the Liege to be subject to the HRE, Corentin Melzi I was renowned by his populous and coronated as a Holy Figure by the Clergy and the people. He eventually made claims to the throne of the Holy Roman Empire, citing his appointment by God to lead The Liege through any hardship. For the last decade of his life, he would perpetuate himself as the "Holy Roman Empire of the Northstadt" making claims to various Holy Roman Dependencies in Northern Europe.
When he passed, Corentin Melzi I was beatified by Pope Stephen V by the Papal States for his role in leading the Liegian forces, as well as establishing and enforcing Christianity in The Liege. His successors would inevitably work to secede from the Holy Roman Empire as a Northern Crusade never came, and the influx of Pagan as well as the People of Romuva from the East advocated for more Religious freedoms.
Present Day (1095):
The Governors of The Northern Liege remained loyal to the Scandinavian Kingdom's after seceding from the Holy Roman Empire, and as testament to The Liege's loyalty to the Scandinavian Kingdom's, the Third Governor of the Liege re-titled himself as "Regent of The Liege" under the Scandinavian King, although in name only. The title of Regency and Governor, both recognized under Liegian law, was eventually passed down from Corentin Melzi I to Lemieux Livonian IV, the Fourth Regent to serve, baring both French and Scandinavian blood through his parents arranged marriage.
Today, the Regent, Governors, and Administration of The Liege are renowned by their population for ensuring Liegian sovereignty despite their French nobility and heritage. Lemieux Livonian IV sought to restore the power of Corentin Melzi I and the title of Holy Roman Emperor to The Liege.
The Northern Liege was originally established as a satellite state by the Frankish Kingdom to open up connections into Scandinavia at the height of military expedition. Settled by Franks in 760 during the Carolingian expansion West under the reign of Charlemagne, Charlemagne wished to expand the Kingdom north, directly challenging the Swedish and Norwegian states. To prepare for such an invasion, Charlemagne ordered the Germanic Tribes living in the area to be driven Westward. These tribes would later form the heritage of the Romuvian Union. Charlemagne almost cleared the invasion of Scandinavia, but was halted by the instability of the Papal States on the Italian peninsula, preventing a direct naval invasion of the Scandinavian mainland. After much deliberation, Charlemagne agreed with his advisers to intervene in the South, before returning to the Northern front. For the meantime however, Charlemagne had to strike a deal with the warring-Scandinavian leaders to ensure that no Viking Expeditions threatened the stability in the Frankish North. With much hesitation, The Northern Liege was established, as what Charlemagne saw as a temporary satellite-trading state for Scandinavian merchants to settle and trade with the European mainland, while remaining under benevolent French Governance. With this, the Scandinavian leaders agreed to restrict their viking expeditions to outside of Frankish borders, as The Northern Liege grew in both riches and population. Nordic's and Germanic Tribes emigrated and settled The Northern Liege for it's prosperous societies and trading outposts, much to the dismay of the Frankish folk who had settled the area for some 80 years prior.
1st Liegian War for Independence:
When King Charlemagne passed on 814, The Northern Liege was still in existence, under a Governor. Charlemagne left no passing will dictating the terms of The Northern Liege. As he died, he died believing that The Northern Liege was a principality of his Kingdom, which the surviving Monarch upheld. When the Frankish Kingdom dissolved in 843, only Charles of West Francia acknowledged The Northern Liege as an independent state, albeit, only to weaken his rivals in East Francia. The peoples of The Northern Liege fought for independence in all forms of warfare up until 911, when East Francia collapsed into the German States. Throughout the war, Francs were persecuted and expelled by the Nordic majority apart from the French Governor and Administrators of the Region, who remained loyal to the rich Northern Liege and it's Scandinavian settlers. Corentin Melzi I of The Liege, former Aristocrat of the Frankish Kingdom now Liegian Governor, led the war for independence and upheld strict Christian virtues while expelling French from the Liege. This Christianization of the Liege placed Corentin Melzi I and his province in good favour of the Holy Roman Emperor, who backed the Liege with armaments and logistics. With the economic support of the Holy Roman Empire, and military support from West Francia, the Liege successfully repelled East Francia and established itself as an independent state, though with hefty debt to West Francia.
The "Nordkrisen":
When the war ended with Corentin Melzi I leading victorious Liegian Forces, then began the "Nordkrisen" (North Crisis). The "North Crisis" saw factions of the now powerful Liegian Clergy advocate for absorption into the Holy Roman Empire, strengthening Christian influence in Northern Europe and opening the possibility for a Crusade heading to Norway and Sweden. Additionally, subjugation to the Holy Roman Empire also meant that the debts owned to West Francia for their military support could be payed for by the Holy See. Although initially rejected by the French Administration of The Liege, the Clergy was powerful enough to force the Governors to accept integration with the Holy Roman Empire with the thread of radical Christian uprising. Corentin Melzi I was reluctant to Govern the Liege under the Holy Roman Emperor after victoriously leading their war for independence, but for allowing the Liege to be subject to the HRE, Corentin Melzi I was renowned by his populous and coronated as a Holy Figure by the Clergy and the people. He eventually made claims to the throne of the Holy Roman Empire, citing his appointment by God to lead The Liege through any hardship. For the last decade of his life, he would perpetuate himself as the "Holy Roman Empire of the Northstadt" making claims to various Holy Roman Dependencies in Northern Europe.
When he passed, Corentin Melzi I was beatified by Pope Stephen V by the Papal States for his role in leading the Liegian forces, as well as establishing and enforcing Christianity in The Liege. His successors would inevitably work to secede from the Holy Roman Empire as a Northern Crusade never came, and the influx of Pagan as well as the People of Romuva from the East advocated for more Religious freedoms.
Present Day (1095):
The Governors of The Northern Liege remained loyal to the Scandinavian Kingdom's after seceding from the Holy Roman Empire, and as testament to The Liege's loyalty to the Scandinavian Kingdom's, the Third Governor of the Liege re-titled himself as "Regent of The Liege" under the Scandinavian King, although in name only. The title of Regency and Governor, both recognized under Liegian law, was eventually passed down from Corentin Melzi I to Lemieux Livonian IV, the Fourth Regent to serve, baring both French and Scandinavian blood through his parents arranged marriage.
Today, the Regent, Governors, and Administration of The Liege are renowned by their population for ensuring Liegian sovereignty despite their French nobility and heritage. Lemieux Livonian IV sought to restore the power of Corentin Melzi I and the title of Holy Roman Emperor to The Liege.
Important People:
Lemieux "Lübeck" Livonian IV: (16)
- Current reigning Regent of The Liege.
- Fourth Regent to the Crown.
- French Ruler.
Lăzurică "Căpitanul" Livonian: (15)
- Royal Consort to the Regent.
- High-Ranking Officer of the Safeguard.
- Scandinavian, but raised French.
Fascio Gaël: (20)
- Adviser and representative of The Regent.
- Denied lineage to the throne in favour of Livonian IV.
- Mid-Ranking Officer of the Safeguard.
- Nonbeliever of Christianity.
Clavius Ostgaende: (21)
- Marshall of The Safeguard.
- Devout Christian.
- Rumoured to be the head of an uprising against The Liege.
- Popular figure.
Corentin Melzi I: (861 - 914)
- First Regent/Governor of The Liege.
- Strictly enforced Christianity.
- Claimed to be the Holy Roman Emperor.
- Beatified by Pope Stephen V.
- Honoured as a Saint by The Liege.
- hella dead.
- Current reigning Regent of The Liege.
- Fourth Regent to the Crown.
- French Ruler.
Lăzurică "Căpitanul" Livonian: (15)
- Royal Consort to the Regent.
- High-Ranking Officer of the Safeguard.
- Scandinavian, but raised French.
Fascio Gaël: (20)
- Adviser and representative of The Regent.
- Denied lineage to the throne in favour of Livonian IV.
- Mid-Ranking Officer of the Safeguard.
- Nonbeliever of Christianity.
Clavius Ostgaende: (21)
- Marshall of The Safeguard.
- Devout Christian.
- Rumoured to be the head of an uprising against The Liege.
- Popular figure.
Corentin Melzi I: (861 - 914)
- First Regent/Governor of The Liege.
- Strictly enforced Christianity.
- Claimed to be the Holy Roman Emperor.
- Beatified by Pope Stephen V.
- Honoured as a Saint by The Liege.
- hella dead.
