Imperial Geographical Society returns to Woldingham

The Imperial Geographical Society (IGS) has conducted an expedition through woods and farmland south-west of the British town of Woldingham. The expedition re-traced the route of a previous expedition, held in 2014. The expedition was planned and led by His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, who was joined by twelve other people, including the Imperial Family, Princess Hannah, Lady Boxall (the former Dame Rosalind), and the former residents of Zephyria. Although Princess Hannah has been on two IGS expeditions in the past, this was the first time that she had joined one of the larger May excursions. It was also the first time that the former Lord Marshal William had joined an IGS expedition since the very first, in 2009. Re-tracing the steps of the 2014 expedition, the participants were able to compare aspects of the route to their encounter eight years ago; for example, a well-known viewpoint was partially obscured by new tree growth, and various landmarks noted along the way in 2014 were no longer there this time round. The IGS, since 2009, has customarily launched an annual expedition at the start of May exploring an area of countryside in Surrey. Due to restrictions on gatherings in the United Kingdom implemented as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the annual May expedition could not go ahead as usual in 2020 and 2021 (although May 2020 did see an IGS expedition in North America). However, with all legal restrictions in the UK now lifted, the annual expedition was able to be resumed. With thirteen participants in this expedition, it was larger than the original 2014 one, which had ten. After the expedition, Emperor Jonathan I and his parents joined Princess Hannah and John of Zephyria for refreshments in a garden centre café on the way back to Carshalton. A video of today’s expedition will be uploaded shortly.

Taras Oliynyk dies in Ukraine

For the first time in the Empire’s history, an Austenasian national has died. Taras Oliynyk was a Ukrainian citizen who served as governing commissioner of the Austenasian crown dependency of Chersoneses, which was claimed from Ukraine in June 2020. He was drafted into the Ukrainian armed forces on February 22nd after the escalation of the ongoing conflict. Taras lived in Chersoneses with his father, who was also drafted. On March 9th, the government was informed that Taras was receiving treatment after having suffered a serious gunshot wound in battle. He died from his injuries yesterday evening. Emperor Jonathan I has released a broadcast in response to this tragedy, in which he announced a nation-wide period of mourning for eleven days, to end with a minute’s silence at 6pm local time on March 24th.

Crown Princess Caroline meets the Prince of Wales

A meeting of two heirs to the throne took place on Wednesday 9th March as HIH Crown Princess Caroline met HRH The Prince of Wales in London. Prince Charles visited St Luke’s Church in London, part of Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), to hear about the Refugee Response programme. Refugee Response, run by HTB is working to support refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan. Her Imperial Highness, who works at HTB and has helped with the programme, met Prince Charles during his visit to the church.

Claims established in China and Arizona

An Act of Parliament passed yesterday evening has founded two new Crown Dependencies after their landowners contacted the government with requests to join Austenasia. A rural property in China’s Hunan province has been annexed as Shuhan, and four plots of land in Navajo County, Arizona have been annexed as Navurania. Shuhan is home to Juntao Yang and his mother. Mr Yang has been appointed Governing Commissioner of Shuhan, to administer it with the title of Duke. Mr Yang serves as Austenasia’s unaccredited Ambassador to China. His family can trace its descent from the rulers of one of the so-called Three Kingdoms of third century China, Shu Han, in honour of which the new territory has been named. Although the annexation legislation was passed at 11pm UTC on 15 February, this was already 16 February in China, and as such the latter date will be considered Shuhan’s date of foundation. The second new claim, Navurania, is composed of four plots of uninhabited land in a location best known for the mining of uranium and rare earth minerals. The plots comprising Navurania are owned by Lord Michael Simpson, one of Austenasia’s most prolific purchasers and claimers of land. However, as governor of four territories already – Florencium Carolina, Elliessium Colorandum, Golcondiaurum, and Rubrum Beryllium – and Representative of Procyon, it was decided not to add to his workload of territorial administration. Lord Simpson’s grandson has therefore been appointed Governing Commissioner of Navurania, adopting for said purpose the official pseudonym of Winston Churchill Jr. for privacy reasons.

Imperial University opens registration

Registration opened earlier today for the first classes to be held by the Imperial University of Austenasia. Four classes – Orthodox Theology, Heraldry and Graphic Design, Economics, and Estonian History – are being offered, and are expected to start next month, with registration closing on February 3rd. The university classes are open to Austenasians and non-Austenasians alike, are free of charge, and will take place online over the Discord messaging program. Those interested can register for classes here. An Austenasian university has been planned for many years now, with Emperor Jonathan I authorising its use of the prefix “Imperial” back in November 2014. However, for various reasons – mostly a lack of qualified teachers or interested students – the university had always failed to reach beyond the planning stage. The Prime Minister, Lord William Wilson, has driven the push to finally establish the university, with the support of Minister for Culture Lord Sander Koff and his immediate predecessor Lord Otto Birch. It is understood that the qualifications offered by the university will be named Diplomas and/or Certificates rather than Degrees, in order to help avoid accusations of being a “bogus college”.

Wilson hosts Virtual Holiday Party

A festive “Virtual Holiday Party” was held online today for Austenasian and foreign dignitaries. The event was hosted by the Prime Minister, Lord William Wilson, on the instant messaging platform Discord. The Virtual Holiday Party – the first of its kind – lasted several hours, with various Austenasian and foreign dignitaries joining the online video and voice conference. Wilson, who wore a Santa hat on top of his well-known cowboy hat, provided conversation and company for those joining during the day. A short quiz was held, and the event was also used to raise awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a charity for which the Order of Saint Constantine is currently holding a fundraising drive.

Western Jarrahview threatened by bushfire

A huge wildfire in western Australia has resulted in concerns for the Austenasian Territory of Western Jarrahview. The unpredictable and as of yet uncontrolled fire, which is raging within Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and fanned by strong winds, has already razed over 5,000 hectares of bushland. No injuries have yet been reported, but while the Australian authorities fight the fire, homes in the area have been evacuated and tourists are being instructed to stay away. Western Jarrahview is an uninhabited wooded area spanning 155,000 square feet, and was annexed by Austenasia after being claimed for the Empire by its now governor, Lord Daniel Hamilton, in January this year. In zones established by the Australian authorities, Western Jarrahview is at the outer edge of the “Emergency” zone (red, in the image above), bordering the “Watch and Act” zone (yellow). The Austenasian territory (white border) is therefore at direct threat from the wildfire. Although Western Jarrahview is uninhabited, it is home to dozens of Jarrah trees and Eucalyptus bushes, and the ecological impact of the fire reaching the territory would be devastating. UPDATE 10 DECEMBER 22:20 – Lord Hamilton has reported that the bushfire is now under control, with Western Jarrahview having been spared any damage. Roughly 7,800 hectares of bushland were destroyed by the fire, which is suspected to have been started deliberately. Australian authorities have downgraded the threat to the zone in which Western Jarrahview is situated to “Bushfire Advice”, meaning it is unlikely it will come under threat again.

Land from gemstone-rich area claimed for Austenasia

A 1.44 acre property in Utah was annexed to the Empire of Austenasia today after being claimed by its landowner, Lord Michael Simpson. The property, which has been named Rubrum Beryllium, is uninhabited. The land is situated in a district where discoveries of red beryl – also known as bixbite or red emerald – have been made. Red beryl is a very rare gemstone of high value. It is hoped for a prospecting mission to take place in the near future. Should any red beryl be found in Rubrum Beryllium itself, it would be of great financial benefit to the Empire. Lord Simpson is one of the Empire’s leading landowners. He has previously claimed three other territories – Florencium Carolina, Elliessium Colorandum, and Golcondiarum – for Austenasia, all of which he owns and administers as Governor.

Lord William Wilson elected Prime Minister

Lord William Wilson, Count of Oribrazos, has been elected the sixth Prime Minister of Austenasia. Precise figures are yet to be confirmed, but the preliminary count indicates that Lord Wilson has received 76.6% of the vote whereas his rival candidate, Lady Addison Dillon, received 23.4% of the vote. This translates to thirty six and eleven votes respectively from the forty seven Austenasian subjects who voted yesterday. With seventy three of Austenasia’s population eligible to vote, this was a 64.4% turnout. Lady Addison campaigned on a platform of electoral and governmental reform and environmentalism, whereas Lord Wilson campaigned to promote Austenasian culture and government activity and accessibility. The past several weeks saw Wilson’s campaign dominate the news. Although Lady Addison published a campaign website, Lord Wilson also released weekly campaign videos in which he explained his policies and positions. Lord Wilson is expected to release his first Prime Minister’s Broadcast later today. Wilson’s predecessor, Lord John Gordon, was thanked and congratulated in the House of Representatives yesterday by the Monarch and other Representatives for his time in office as the Empire’s head of government. Lord Wilson’s first involvement with Austenasia came in April 2019, when he was appointed the Empire’s diplomatic Consul to Texas. Wilson became an Austenasian national in January 2020 upon founding the Town of Nahona, which he represents to this day as Representative. He was further instrumental in arranging the annexation of the Town of North Nahona in June and the March of Campo de Jonatán and Territory of Jackson in August late that year. Appointed Deputy Prime Minister on 1 June last year, Lord Wilson also served as Home Secretary from August 2020 to February earlier this year, and has held the office of Chief Herald since 3 June 2020.

IGS Expedition to Plemstall

His Imperial Majesty the Emperor yesterday undertook an expedition of the Imperial Geographical Society (IGS) to Plemstall via the Millennium Greenway. Although some previous IGS expeditions have had two participants, this is the first expedition to have been composed of a single person. An Imperial Decree of March 2018 authorised excursions by a single member of the society to be given expedition status. The Millennium Greenway – often known locally as Chester Greenway – is a former railway line which now functions as a footpath between Connor’s Quay and Mickle Trafford, spanning several miles north of the city of Chester. The Emperor joined the Greenway just under three miles from its eastern-most point, walking along to the village of Mickle Trafford. Once there, he continued on to Plemstall, an adjoining hamlet. Plemstall is home to St. Peter’s Church, built on the site of a hermitage inhabited by St. Plegmund. Famed for his holy life living as a hermit at Plemstall, St. Plegmund was elected Archbishop of Canterbury in 890 after being chosen by King Alfred the Great. As Archbishop, St. Plegmund worked to support a flourishing of scholarship until his death in 923. The Emperor also visited the nearby St. Plegmund’s Well, a nearby holy well. It was used by the saint for baptisms during his time as a hermit, and remains a site of Christian pilgrimage to this day. A video of the expedition can be seen here.