Wrythe given special status as Imperial Capital
An Act of Parliament passed by the new Regent has given Wrythe a special autonomous status. The Imperial Capital Act 2024, proposed and passed during this year’s ongoing Summer Session of Parliament, was given Imperial Consent by Prince Regent Aggelos on Tuesday 28th May. Under the provisions of the Act, Wrythe gains a level of autonomy similar to that of a crown dependency, henceforth no longer falling under the automatic jurisdiction of the central government. Rather, the capital will be governed by the Pater Patriae, a previously honorary title that was given to Emperor Father Terry in 2021. The title has been made hereditary, meaning it will one day be inherited by Jonathan I. Being given a special status as the Imperial Capital, Wrythe is no longer a Town with City status, and will therefore no longer elect a Representative, although Jonathan I – who has served as the capital’s Representative for most of its history – retains an observer status in Parliament. Wrythe is considered by many to be the historical and cultural heart of the Empire, being Austenasia’s first land claim and the site of the Imperial Residence. With the Emperor seeking to withdraw from political life following last month’s implementation of the Regency, this new law has made long-term provision for Wrythe to remain under Austenasian sovereignty regardless of the level of interaction between Jonathan I and the imperial government.
Inscription discovered as stele mistakenly felled
The accidental toppling of an old memorial stone has led to the re-discovery of a forgotten inscription in an old ceremonial text. Yesterday evening saw the old Wrythe Genocide Memorial accidentally knocked over by a watering can while nearby plants were watered. The Memorial, unveiled for 2011’s International Holocaust Memorial Day in January of that year, once featured inscriptions commemorating the victims of genocide and expressing hope that such will never be repeated. Many of these inscriptions were written in Moylurgian hieroglyphs, a writing system used in Austenasia for ceremonial purposes between 2010 and 2013. However, the ink in which these inscriptions were made was not sufficiently waterproof to protect them from weathering, and by October 2012 the Memorial – which took the form of a small stone stele – was blank. Over the years, the Memorial had gradually become forgotten, and due to having been erected in a flowerbed in Wrythe Public Park was often hidden behind plants and weeds. Due to its deterioration, its dedication to genocide victims led to it being considered inappropriate to be publicised as such – with its neglect perhaps seen as a sign of disrespect – but simultaneously inappropriate to remove it. It was never designated an official national monument, a status introduced in December 2017; indeed, the legislation which introduced this status technically removed the remaining legal protections for the Memorial. The re-discovery of the forgotten inscription on the bottom of the stele, protected by the soil from the rain and sunlight, is a major archaeological find for the history of Wrythe and of Austenasia. Translated, it reads “Unveiled by His Imperial and Majestic Highness the King of Moylurg, Caesar of Austenasia”, referring to the now Emperor Jonathan I, and as such can be accurately dated to the short period of time – 19 October to 10 November 2010 – when he held the former office. Indeed, by the time the stele was actually erected, the then Crown Prince no longer held the former title. The inscription is then followed by three ciphers: that of Emperor Esmond III, that of Jonathan I as King of Moylurg, and then that of Emperor Declan I, which was added after the rest of the inscription but before the unveiling of the memorial (Declan I having ascended the Throne in December 2010). The inscription, nearly 12 years old, therefore hearkens back to a relatively tumultuous time deep in Austenasia’s past, remembered for the accession of different monarchs and the cultural influence of Moylurg (later Wilcsland). The now Emperor Jonathan I has decided against re-inscribing or re-erecting the stele, stating: “It is of the utmost importance that the horrors of genocide and the memories of its victims are never forgotten. However, it is inappropriate for us to pretend that a weathered brick in a flowerbed is in any way a fittingly dignified memorial to such. Instead of the stele being restored, we shall instead be making donations to various charities and museums which shall do a far better job than we could ever do at commemoration and education on this subject.”
The Emperor and Emperor Mother recover from coronavirus
Emperor Jonathan I and Emperor Mother Margaret have recovered from Covid-19, having both tested positive last weekend. After testing positive on Sunday 27th February, His Imperial Majesty tested negative on the evening of Saturday 5th March. Although he contracted cold-like symptoms during the first few days of infection, these symptoms soon abated. Emperor Mother Margaret, who also tested positive on Sunday 27th and displayed cold-like symptoms, has likewise recovered. Emperor Father Terry was unwell with Covid-19 the previous week, but his recovery began about the same time that his wife and son developed symptoms. The Emperor Father remains well and has tested negative. Upon falling ill, the Emperor appointed Counsellors of State to exercise some powers should he be absent in an emergency. Although he has recovered, the appointments will stay in place until their planned expiry at the end of the month, as a precautionary measure in view of possible escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.
The Emperor catches Covid-19
His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and his parents have tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus, developing cold-like symptoms. Emperor Jonathan I tested positive for the disease on the morning of Sunday 27th February, after starting to feel unwell the previous evening. The Emperor continues to display cold-like symptoms, and Emperor Mother Margaret has also tested positive for the virus. Emperor Father Terry had tested positive a few days previously, and was likewise displaying cold-like symptoms, but has now recovered. Wrythe had previously been free of the virus since the start of the pandemic. His Imperial Majesty continues to conduct governmental business, and has not stopped working on his duties as Monarch. However, given – in his own words – “any unforeseen developments regarding the ongoing crisis in Ukraine may require a robust and immediate response from the Throne”, Jonathan I has appointed two Counsellors of State to exercise some of his powers if necessary should he be unavailable while resting or should his condition worsen. Counsellors of State are dignitaries who the Emperor can authorise to exercise various of his duties and powers as Monarch in case of short-term unavailability or incapacity. The Prime Minister, Lord William Wilson, has been authorised “to exercise all military functions of the Throne and any duty or power of such related to the administration or command of the Austenasian Armed Forces”. Furthermore, in an emergency, Lord Wilson and fellow Counsellor of State Lord Michael Simpson have been given the authority to jointly give Imperial Consent to an Act of Parliament on the Emperor’s behalf should such be considered urgently necessary. The appointment of Lord Wilson and Lord Simpson as Counsellors of State will last until the end of March, unless otherwise shortened or extended by the Emperor.
First post-pandemic tourists visit Wrythe
The capital city of Wrythe this afternoon hosted Ollie and Sebastian, two filmmakers interested in creating a documentary on Austenasia to be published on YouTube. Ollie and Sebastian are the first tourists to visit Wrythe – not including a working visit from Attorney General Anthony Clark in June – since the COVID-19 pandemic saw restrictions on movement within the neighbouring United Kingdom brought into place last year. The third and last lockdown in England officially ended on 12 April, but many restrictions remained in place until being lifted on 19 July. Ollie and Sebastian are the first tourists to have visited Wrythe since August 2019. They were met at Carshalton station by Emperor Jonathan I and Emperor Father Terry before being given a guided tour of Orly and other various locations of interest to the history and culture of Austenasia, culminating in their arrival at Wrythe. The filmmakers were then introduced to Emperor Mother Margaret, and conducted an informal interview with the Emperor in the Imperial Residence before also being shown Wrythe Public Park. A link to their documentary on Austenasia will be provided upon its publication. (UPDATE: The film can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HuurMwnAsM )
Independence Day party held at Imperial Residence
A celebration attended by various dignitaries was held yesterday at the Imperial Residence in celebration of Austenasia’s tenth Independence Day. The party, hosted by Emperor Jonathan I and his parents, was attended by Princess Hannah of Wildflower Meadows, Adam I of Adammia, Lord John Gordon of Palasia, the two leaders of Lundenwic (a nation with which Austenasia does not currently have diplomatic relations but is in the process of negotiating), and Lord Michael and Dame Rosalind (uncle and aunt of the Emperor). For most of the guests, it was their first time meeting each other in person, and so plenty of friendly discussion was able to be had. Various parlour games were also played towards the end of the evening. Several of the guests took the opportunity to sign the Wrythe Convention, an international treaty condemning falsehoods, deception and sockpuppeting within the community of small nations. The very first physical Austenasian flag to be made was hung up in Parliament Hall, having been taken out of storage for the occasion. Each attendee received a complimentary commemorative coin, and several guests were also granted peerages and knighthoods by the Emperor.
Diplomabear arrives in Wrythe
Diplomabear, a well-travelled teddy bear which started its journey in August 2012, arrived yesterday morning in the Imperial Residence. The Diplomabear World Tour was started by Pierre d’Égtavie, leader of Egtavia, after said nation was annexed by St.Charlie in 2012. With Egtavia no longer in control of its own foreign policy, Diplomabear served as a means of forging unofficial, friendly ties with other small nations around the world, to which it was sent on condition that it would be passed on to the government of another. With the dissolution of Egtavia in 2013, Diplomabear became a symbol of diplomacy and friendship between small nations as a whole. In early 2015, Renasia – the country in which Diplomabear was then being hosted – dissolved, and Diplomabear was assumed lost forever. However, in August 2016, Emperor Jonathan I was able to contact a former Renasian official and have Diplomabear recovered and sent on to Überstadt, restarting the tour, this time under the direction of the Grand Unified Micronational (GUM). After some other stops, Diplomabear has now come to Austenasia, arriving at Wrythe yesterday morning. This is the second time that Diplomabear has been to Austenasia, having also been hosted at Wrythe in 2012, making the Empire the first destination which Diplomabear has visited twice. Emperor Jonathan I has published a photograph to Facebook showing him holding Diplomabear in Parliament Hall in the Imperial Residence. The Emperor is wearing the Egtavian Star, a medal presented to him by d’Égtavie while Egtavia was still independent. Some of the other twelve destinations visited by Diplomabear include Molossia, Landashir, Wyvern, and Zealandia.
Wrythe Pet Cemetery officially designated as national monument
In a charter finalised yesterday, Wrythe Pet Cemetery has become the first official national monument of the Empire of Austenasia. The status of national monument, created by the Monuments and Heritage Act 2017, is for sites or structures within Austenasia which are of cultural or historical significance to the nation. Wrythe Pet Cemetery is the first site to be officially designated as a national monument, but the January 2018 Ministerial Report of the Ministry for Culture declared an intention to ascertain before July which other sites or structures could be eligible for the status. Founded in late 2008 soon after the Austenasian Declaration of Independence, Wrythe Pet Cemetery is the final resting place for many of the Imperial Family’s pets, and is located within Wrythe Public Park. Its status as a national monument now enshrines within law the commitment of the Representative of Wrythe to make provision for the maintenance of the cemetery, and increases the penalty for damaging the site.
Film maker visits Wrythe
Earlier today Wrythe was host to Tim Mercier, a film maker and director. Mr Mercier visited Wrythe, the Empire’s capital, to learn more about Austenasia and to assess the possibility of creating a documentary featuring the Empire. He was received by Emperor Jonathan I, who spoke to him about Austenasia’s history, government, and Imperial Family. Mr Mercier also met Emperor Father Terry, Mayor of Wrythe, and the Imperial Family’s two pets. He signed the Imperial Residence’s guestbook, and was given a postcard as a souvenir of the visit. Should the documentary go ahead, it is likely to be about twenty minutes long and shown at various film festivals. Mr Mercier has previously worked for the BBC, and has directed episodes of EastEnders and Holby City.
Emperor Father Terry and Countess Victoria elected Mayors
Apologies for the delayed publication of this news due to technical difficulties. Local elections on Thursday 9th February in Wrythe and New Richmond saw HIH Emperor Father Terry and Victoria Hathaway, Countess of Sidney elected as the respective Mayor for each city. The local elections also saw – as expected – the incumbents Emperor Jonathan I and Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy re-elected as Representatives of Wrythe and of New Richmond respectively. An Act of Parliament passed last month created city status to be granted to various prominent towns. The Emperor called local elections in the two towns granted city status in order for them to elect a mayor. Mayors have the power to chair their city council, veto changes to the city arms, and unilaterally implement bye-laws in relation to local governance. Since his abdication as Emperor in February 2010 up until now, the now Emperor Father Terry has not been involved in politics, but enlisted in the Austenasian Army in August 2011 and served as a consul in 2013. Victoria Hathaway, Countess of Sidney is a resident of a new area of New Richmond annexed to the city in December 2016, and was appointed one of this year’s two consuls on New Year’s Day.
