Emperor celebrates 21st birthday

A party was held in the Imperial Residence yesterday evening to celebrate the 21st birthday of Emperor Jonathan I. The Imperial Family were joined by relatives and family friends for the party, including Deputy Prime Minister Countess Eritoshi and her sister Lady Imogen, one of the current two consuls. The Emperor received several birthday cards and presents from the guests at the party. The actual birthday of the Emperor was on 13 October, which was observed with the opening of presents and a meal out with the other members of the immediate Imperial Family. The party was held yesterday instead of on Tuesday so that more people would be available to attend.  

Imperial Family members return from Devon holiday

Emperor Jonathan I, Crown Princess Caroline, and Emperor Mother Margaret yesterday returned from a week’s holiday in Devon. The three imperials had spent the week at Sidholme Hotel in the town of Sidmouth, relaxing at the hotel as well as going out for day trips. Activities by the three holidaymakers included a visit to a pottery studio where they made their own pots, exploring the picturesque village of Branscombe, building a “sea wall” on Sidmouth beach, and looking through various gift shops. Emperor Father Terry was unable to come on the holiday due to the Imperial Family’s pet bullmastiff Edd requiring somebody to look after him, but had spent a week away with a friend earlier in the month to make up for missing out. An album of photographs taken of the holiday by the Emperor can be seen at this link.

Emperor’s address five years since the end of the Austenasian Civil War

Today is five years since the Austenasian Civil War officially ended on 24 May 2010, when the final signature was affixed to the Treaty of Ruskin Road. This evening, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor gave the following address to Parliament, marking the occasion: Noble and esteemed Representatives, It is five years since the Austenasian Civil War came to an end, with our predecessor Esmond III affixing his signature to the Treaty of Ruskin Road. Since then, apart from the brief orchestrated war with Orly later that year, the Empire has seen no military conflict. This can only be a good thing, especially when one takes into account the attitudes prevalent among our diplomatic community at the current time. On Wednesday last, His Imperial Highness the Prime Minister upgraded Austenasia’s DEFCON status from 3 to 4. Since June last year, it had been set at 3 in response to the tensions with Zealandia over New South Scotland. Despite Zealandia’s flagrant violations of international laws and customs during that time, we decided to respond not with the might of our armed forces but with diplomacy. Even when foreign troops briefly occupied our crown dependency, we were steadfast in our determination to act with mercy rather than vengeance. Our unwavering desire for a peaceful resolution resulted in a compromise being adopted, which was confirmed by the signing of a treaty at the start of the month. Diplomacy and negotiation triumphed over aggression and sabre-rattling, and an accomodation acceptable to all was reached without the need for conflict. However, our desire to avoid war should not be interpreted as outright pacifism. While we shall turn the other cheek to aggression and attempt to obtain a pacific solution wherever possible, we shall never shirk from defending the Empire’s population and territory. Our Imperial Majesty is not only a descendant of many mighty warriors, but has not ever commanded the losing side in any of the many battles we have fought. With the recent re-establishment of the Imperial Navy, the Empire’s military is more numerous and well-organised than ever before, and we are confident in its ability to defend Austenasia with ease against any plausible threat to its territorial integrity or to the safety and well-being of its people. Despite the great strength of the Empire’s armed forces, however, we sincerely hope that we never have to see them used. Warfare is the very crudest method of solving disputes, and while we shall always defend our Empire, we shall always seek to avoid the circumstances in which such would be necessary. We take this opportunity to implore you all in your interactions with foreign politicians and diplomats to always keep our words in mind. Austenasia has one of the largest and strongest militaries in the history of small nations, but respect for the Empire is a far greater and nobler defence than fear of its arms. As stated on the famous Peace Pole in Molossia: “May Peace Prevail On Earth”. ICJA Wrythe, 24 May 2015

Tourists for New South Scotland

The Austenasian Crown Dependency of New South Scotland yesterday hosted a visit from three tourists. Hugh and Paul McFarlane and Joseph Lau visited the land, which is an enclave of the University of New South Wales. Formerly a colony of New Wessex before being ceded to Austenasia in January 2013, New South Scotland has been administered on the Empire’s behalf since June 2014 by the nearby nation of Zealandia. A treaty is currently being negotiated to formalise this arrangement. The trio of tourists explored New South Scotland, taking photographs of the crown dependency. Hugh had made an Austenasian flag to be photographed with while on the visit. This is the second time that Austenasia has been visited by tourists, the first only having been last week. Although the visitors kept an eye out for Queen Astrid, the governing commissioner of the land, she was not available to welcome them.

Jonathan I speaks on the fifth anniversary of the Austenasian Civil War

Writing this, Our Imperial Majesty sits in a room where, five years ago today, we were as Crown Prince immediately before the outbreak of the Austenasian Civil War. We are in the Park Annexe of Carshalton Methodist Church as our sister Crown Princess Caroline sets up an event in the church hall next door. Five years ago today, however, she attended the Vestry Conference, called to arrange a peaceful solution to her claim to the Throne, which had passed the previous month from our father Terry I to Esmond III. Of course, the conference failed, and we came into this room to confront our sister after negotiations broke down. It was immediately after leaving here that she announced an intention to overthrow the Emperor and the Austenasian Civil War was declared. Despite the small scale of the war in military terms – only two “battles” being fought, neither truly deserving of the title – it left a permanent mark on Austenasia. What was in theory a victory for parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law over untempered hereditary right became a victory of the Throne over the Representatives. Some have pointed out what could have been; had Esmond III been made Regent for an Empress Caroline, he and his army would have left Stanley Park – the school at which most government business took place after his ascension to the Throne – mere weeks before Caroline would have come of age to rule herself. Overlooking this solution cost the Empire much in terms of stability, and the reign of our predecessor likely would not have happened should Esmond have only been Regent. However, neither would many other things immensely important to the modern-day Empire have taken place had not the civil war. We cannot change the past, but we must reflect on and learn from it. On a positive note, the war brought many benefits to the Empire: a massive increase in local knowledge of Austenasia, a military which functioned in practice as well as in theory, a balance between the power of the Prime Minister and of the Throne, a “golden age” of court culture, and ultimately the foundation of our friends the Orlian nations. Despite an increasing tendency towards eccentric ideas once his power was secure, Esmond III showed himself to be a great leader during the Austenasian Civil War and the months after it. He is almost single-handedly responsible for the making of the modern day Austenasian Monarchy and for the position of the Empire among the Carshalton Nations; one can only image what great things he would have had a chance to do had his first three months on the Throne not have had to have been dedicated to holding on to it. As we commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Austenasian Civil War, let us not only mourn the tragedy of a nation divided. Let us also reflect upon and appreciate the dynamic new order of things it brought in. Had the war never occurred, Austenasia may never have expanded beyond a small community of seven people. It was the war which resulted in us first reaching out to the wider world, and that, if nothing else, can only have been a positive outcome. ICJA Park Annexe of Carshalton Methodist Church, 7 March 2015

New Richmond hit by blizzard

The Town of New Richmond has seen almost two feet of snow since it began to fall on Monday evening. New Richmond and the nearby area is currently experiencing the most snow it has seen in over a decade, and the surrounding U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky has declared a state of emergency. Lord Dux Joseph Kennedy, Representative of New Richmond, has moved to Dominion House in North New Richmond after Town Hall in West Richmond lost running water due to the cold weather. The adverse conditions also caused Lord Joseph’s father’s vehicle to crash into a ditch, but no injuries were reported.

Pope of the Parva-Religions becomes Pontifex Maximus

Changes have been made to the Papacy of the Parva-Religions, with the Pope now being known as the Pontifex Maximus. Since June 2013, the Papacy of the Parva-Religions has been an institution designed to “defend” the religions of micronations. However, with no real opportunities being found to exercise this function, the Papacy – which was initially founded in 2004 to lead a cat-worshipping cult in a predecessor state of Wilcsland – yesterday underwent several reforms to increase its relevance and activity. The office held by the Pope – currently Lord Joseph Kennedy, who holds the papal name of Alexander IV – has been renamed to the Pontifex Maximus. The function of the Pontifex Maximus is now to produce works of theology and philosophy, to write commentaries on sacred texts, and to record oral traditions which may otherwise be lost, looking at a wide range of different beliefs and traditions. The Pontifex Maximus is to be appointed by the Emperor from the College of Pontiffs (formerly Cardinals), who are to be appointed by the Pontifex Maximus as advisors and prospective successors. As Austenasia is a secular state, the writings of the Pontifex Maximus will in no way shape or define official government views. However, the creation of the post of Pontifex Maximus will be a means of forming the first Austenasian works of theology and philosophy, a great boost to the cultural and intellectual life of the nation.

Cool Barbie “minisodes” planned

Three mini-episodes or “minisodes” of Cool Barbie will be published over the course of next year. Each minisode will be under three minutes long, and focus on an individual character dealing with the aftermath of September’s Cool Barbie VIII. The  minisodes are planned to be released in January, May, and November, and will focus on Moonita, Xeaphon, and Colin respectively. Cool Barbie is a sci-fi fantasy series about a community of living toys protected by a human family, and its interactions with various aliens and villains. These mini-episodes will fit in between Cool Barbie VIII and IX, the latter of which is intended to be released in December next year to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the franchise. UPDATE 31 MARCH 2015 11:59 – The release dates for the final two minisodes have been brought forward by ATP. Xeaphon’s minisode will be published on 25 April, and Colin’s on 1 September.

Emperor hosts fundraiser quiz night

Yesterday evening, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor hosted a fundraising quiz night at Carshalton Methodist Church. Emperor Jonathan I set up a quiz evening in a hall next to Carshalton Methodist Church as a means of fundraising for the construction of a cultural centre being built by his own church, the Greek Orthodox Church of Ss. Constantine and Helen. Money raised by the entry price was split between the two churches. Emperor Mother Margaret and Crown Princess Caroline, both of whom regularly attend Carshalton Methodist, helped the Emperor prepare the hall for the quiz. Refreshments during a break in the middle were free, but the Crown Princess was also selling home-made cakes to raise money for a humanitarian trip to India she plans to go on with her school next year. Over £150 was raised for Carshalton Methodist, St. Constantine’s, and the fund for Crown Princess Caroline’s India trip. The entire population of Greater Wrythe attended the quiz night, as did several members of Carshalton Methodist, with an overall attendance of over 30. There were seven rounds, on subjects including history, geography, general knowledge, and famous quotations. The members of the winning team each got a notebook and pen as a prize.

Further expansion for New Richmond

After expanding to become Austenasia’s largest Town only a few weeks ago, New Richmond has once again grown with the addition of two new houses. Joseph Nobilissimus Caesar and his immediate family have moved from their former home in Saint Josephsburg to a new house several miles away. The former has been ceded back to the United States of America, whereas the latter has now joined the Empire and New Richmond as the district of West Richmond, along with the neighbouring house. The house next to the Caesar’s new home belongs to relatives of his, who agreed to leaving the United States and joining West Richmond. This simultaneous cession and annexation of land – formalised by an Act of Parliament and a transfer of sovereignty ceremony earlier this evening – has increased the Empire’s population to 54. The cession of the Caesar’s old house in Saint Josephsburg is the first time that Austenasia has relinquished sovereignty over territory since January 2010, when a small area of land was given to the Slinky Empyre. The rest of Saint Josephsburg has remained Austenasian. More information, as well as photographs, will be published when available.