The Emperor has delivered a special address marking the eighteenth anniversary of Austenasia’s foundation, reflecting on the nation’s history while calling upon Austenasians to look towards its future.
Austenasia was founded on 20 September 2008 at Wrythe, a house and its surrounding property in Carshalton, south London, by Jonathan Austen and his father Terry Austen.
Eighteen years later, Emperor Johannes Karl I Augustus has marked the anniversary with a recorded address reflecting on Austenasia’s history and its future.
The speech, entitled The Emperor Speaks!, is the first public address delivered by Johannes Karl I since his coronation in York on 25 July.
In his address, the Emperor paid tribute to those who have contributed to Austenasia throughout its history, while arguing that the country must continue to change and develop.
A recurring theme of the speech was that Austenasia does not belong to any one person, but to all those who participate in it.
The Emperor described those who currently lead the country as its custodians, responsible for leaving Austenasia in a stronger position for those who come after them.
“One day, all of us who lead Austenasia today will belong to her history.”
Johannes Karl I also spoke about the importance of attracting new Austenasians and strengthening the country’s institutions, arguing that people should be encouraged to participate in Austenasian life without unnecessary interference from third parties.
The Emperor acknowledged Austenasia’s past, but said that the country could not allow itself to become “chained” to it.
Austenasia has changed considerably since its foundation.
Wrythe, the house at which Austenasia was founded, became its first territory and remains the Austenasian capital today. In practice, however, its status as the capital is now largely symbolic.
The country has long since ceased to be centred around a single property in south London, with Austenasians now living across numerous locations and the country’s government and institutions operating predominantly online.
Austenasia has also undergone considerable political and constitutional change over the past eighteen years, including the development of its monarchy, government and national institutions.
The past year has been one of the most significant periods of change in its history.
Following the political crisis of 2025 and the subsequent Austenasian Interregnum, the monarchy was restored earlier this year. Johannes Karl I was crowned Emperor at a ceremony in York on 25 July.
However, the Emperor devoted relatively little of his anniversary address to the disputes and events of the previous year.
Instead, the speech focused largely on what Austenasia should become in the years ahead.
Johannes Karl I argued that the people currently responsible for Austenasia should view themselves as temporary custodians of something which should ultimately outlast them.
The eighteenth anniversary also represents a considerable milestone for a country which began with a declaration made from a family home in 2008.
Wrythe remains Austenasia’s historic birthplace and symbolic capital, but eighteen years later the country extends far beyond the place in which it began.
Austenasia was founded eighteen years ago today. Eighteen years later, its story continues.
