Memory Monday (Europan Kingdoms through the Last Century)

Some of our greatest supporting fans have asked for a bit more on the literal geography of the Kingdoms of Europa and although we have posted maps and discussed it before we thought to devote this post to the topic. Europa is a continent generally thought of as the center of the world and the origin of modern civilization. In past ages many small regional Kingdoms have come and gone but also a few vast Empires saw the light. War, natural geography and economy have given us what we have today, a rich mix of history, culture and natural diversity. Let us look at the various regions and peoples over the last century and the nations that ended up in what we have today. 

Pre 1900 (Great War) - Empires

At the turn of the previous century Europa was experiencing an economic and technological boom. Cuturally though the apex was seemingly reached and a new beginning was looming. Few would expect war to be the ushering in factor that lead to change. There were several well established Kingdoms ranging in size and history but soon the Germanic peoples of Syldavia started bold expanding what they claimed to be their right. This was in reaction to the vast power of Ruskiana which was felt to be a bully of its own people and the western nations of Europa. The newly established Germanic Empire did overstep its right and soon war broke out. The predominant powers were Ruskiana, the Germanic Empire and the Scot-Britanian Alliance. After the devastation, the map was entirely redrawn setting the stage for a new beginning and eventual golden age. 

Count Otto Von Bismarck, Chancellor of the Germanic Empire and the spark that set the fire of war ablaze. 

The last Tsar of Ruskiana who lost his own life fleeing the country. 

The Duke of Swann toured Europa on an last official diplomatic tour before the Great War broke out. He used this opportunity to assist his Royal relatives in smuggling many war threatened historic treasures to safety in Hanoveria and Reichenthal. 

After the Great War, the map of Europa didn't just change borders but also changed the the states of nations literally. Ruskiana and Romagna abolished their monarchies and the Germanic Empire was split into several smaller independent Kingdoms. However over time Scotney and Britania were to merge into a single Empire which included the former Duchy of Lancaster and Swann as semi-independent states. Two very small tax haven independent countries also saw the light in Monagask and Rosenberg.

Pre - 1996 Revolution Golden Age Europa

The Predominant power of this era was the short lived but unimaginably glorious United Empire of Scot-Britanian. Many saw this as a dawn of a new era for the whole world but the threat of one nation holding so much power sparked the most tragic and most murderous revolution the world has ever seen. 

Scotney and Britania amalgamated into a single Empire under the joint regents Emperor Christian and Empress Crystobel, seen here on their wedding day. 

This rare photo shows the Imperial Couple dressed in formal tiara and tie on the very night the Bloody Revolution broke out. Much of the historic archive was destroyed by the revolution leaving photos like this an extreme rarity. 

The last State Visit of the Duke of Swann to the Empire of Scot-Britania. The Empress'sister was married to the Duke of Swann and her youngest sister to the Grand Duke of Hanoveria. Several other close family ties bound the Imperial couple to most of the Royal Families of Europa.

The greatest damage to monarchy as a concept came with the 1996 revolution after which only 5 of the original 12 monarchies that reigned 200 years earlier remained. This brings us to today almost 20 years after the Bloody Revolution.

Post 2012 (Normandian and Syldavian Restorations) - Current Europa

Europa sees no predominant power amongst it many countries allowing for balance and a strong economic and cultural stability like never seen since the days of the Holy Emperor in 1277. The two monarchies of Normandia and Syldavia, abolished during the revolution, have been completely restored and the idea of Royalty is riding high in the media and popular opinion. This pushes the total of monarchies in Europa up to 7. 

Royal exiles have also been welcomed back into Ruskiana, Romagna, Scotney and Britania. Pretenders to former thrones in these countries are offered semi official cultural positions representing the "people and histories"of their countries. These roles are akin to that of an ambassador and/or minister of culture without having any political power whatsoever. These positions also do not gain money personally but is allowed a budgeted expenditure in lieu of playing the role of custodian of property, art and jewels held in trust for the nation. In Fulco D'Este and Franconia the former Royal Families are not regarded in a bad light but are also not seen as more than novelties even though all exile laws have been made void. 

The 2012 Christmas Ball saw the largest gathering of Royals since before the 1996 Revolution and also finally welcomed Arcwhite completely into the Europan Royal fold. 

The tragic death and funeral of Empress Crystobel rallied the emotional support of the whole world around the Crown Prince Imperial boosting Royal popularity to the highest in history. 

Last year's birthday Ball reestablished the Royal momentum after the tragedies of 2013 allowing us all to look to a bright new and seemingly very solid Royal future in Europa. 

Hopefully this post has given a bird's eye-view to our more technically minded fans.