We Didn't Start It. We Reported It.

LATEST
Editorial: It’s a Small Community. Everybody ‘Knows’ Each Other, and Nobody Likes Each Other.
Austenasia Establishes Relations with the Republic of Venemaa
Plans for Full Release of ‘GUM Files’ Abandoned
Emperor Delivers Address Marking Austenasia’s Eighteenth Anniversary
Empire Reaffirms Prominent Micronational Diplomatic Conventions
Two New Territories Join the Empire
2 min read
Facebook
X / Twitter
Reddit
Print
Email
This article is more than 13 years old

Austenasia Gains a Crown Dependency

2 min read

The Empire of Austenasia has annexed New South Scotland as a crown dependency, expanding for the first time since 2011.

A satellite view of New South Scotland.

Sovereignty over the former colony of New Wessex was given to Emperor Jonathan I by Declan I on 20 January, a matter of minutes after the former ascended to the Throne, but New South Scotland has only this morning been formally made a crown depencency after the Emperor issued an Imperial Decree setting out its system of government.

New South Scotland was created in November last year as a colony for New Wessex by Haakon Lindstrom, who has remained the territory’s leader as Governing Commissioner. Instead of ruling in the place of the King of New Wessex, he now rules in the place of the Emperor.

The new territory has been made highly autonomous. Austenasian legislation only applies to the crown dependency by the discretion of the Governing Commissioner, or if the legislation itself explicitly states that it does.

New South Scotland will not be taxed, does not have representation in Parliament, and will probably have to be responsible for its own defence. Nevertheless, it is a part of the Empire, with the Austenasian government representing it internationally.

New South Scotland is an enclave of the Australian city of Sydney, becoming the first overseas Austenasian territory. It is also by far the largest, spanning over 30,000 square feet. The territory was part of a university campus before being annexed by New Wessex.

This marks the first territorial expansion of the Empire since Tincomarus Department (in Commius Flats) was re-annexed in March 2011. New South Scotland has no permanent population, but the Governing Commissioner may recruit New South Scottish citizens – while not Austenasian subjects, they will be regarded as holding allegiance to the Emperor.

About this article

Additional context relevant to this article.

What is the Monarchy? The Austenasian Monarchy is the constitutional institution headed by the Emperor of Austenasia, who serves as Head of State. The Crown represents the continuity and constitutional authority of Austenasia and has formed part of the Empire’s constitutional structure since its foundation in 2008. The office of Monarch is distinct from that of the Prime Minister, who serves as Head of Government and leads the day-to-day administration of Austenasia. The powers and constitutional arrangements of the Crown have changed during Austenasia’s history.
What was Parliament? Parliament was the legislative branch of Austenasia under the previous constitutional system. It was a unicameral legislature whose representative house was the House of Representatives. Under the Constitution of 2026, Parliament and the House of Representatives ceased to form the legislative structure, with legislative functions instead exercised by the present Senate.
Who is Declan I Augustus? Declan I Augustus was the third Emperor of Austenasia. He first became joint Monarch alongside Esmond III Augustus in December 2010 before becoming sole Emperor in September 2011. His reign included the adoption of the Constitution of 2011 and the development of the constitutional powers of the Austenasian Monarchy. Declan abdicated on 20 January 2013 and was succeeded by Jonathan I Augustus.
Who is Jonathan Austen? Jonathan Austen, formerly Emperor Jonathan I Augustus, is the founder and fourth Emperor of Austenasia. He co-founded Austenasia with his family in 2008 and served for many years as Prime Minister before ascending to the throne in 2013. During his reign, Jonathan oversaw a substantial period of Austenasian expansion and development and played a major role in establishing its institutions and foreign relations. He abdicated on 29 September 2024 after more than eleven years as Emperor. Following a period of continued public service after his abdication, Jonathan resigned from his remaining government duties in 2025.