Declan I celebrates two years on the Throne

Two years ago today, HIM Emperor Declan I was made joint Monarch of Austenasia by an Act of Parliament. Act 138 (Dual Monarchy) brought an end to the ongoing War of the Orlian Reunification and shared the Throne between the then Emperor Esmond III and the victor of the war, Declan I. As revealed by HIH Crown Prince Jonathan last year, this was a plan to limit the powers of Esmond III, who was plotting to overthrow the Empire’s constitutional government and replace it with a military dictatorship. Esmond III and Declan I ruled together until 31 March 2011 when Parliament voted to remove the powers of Esmond III after the Austenasian Army pledged not to rebel to restore him to the Throne should he be removed from power. The plan to avoid Esmond’s plot complete, Declan I remained the only effectively ruling Austenasian Monarch – Esmond III remained titular joint Emperor until September last year, when the implementation of the new Constitution deprived him of this rank. The Austenasian Star is flying from the Prime Minister’s Office in celebration of this Cotton Jubilee of Declan I, the first Austenasian Monarch to celebrate two years on the Throne. His predecessors, Terry I and Esmond III, reigned for only seventeen and nineteen months respectively. The reign of Declan I has so far seen a long period of peace for Austenasia, which has been involved in no conflicts as of yet – in contrast, skirmishes were fought in Beddington Park and in the Imperial Residence itself during the reign of Terry I, and Esmond III reigned during both the Austenasian Civil War and the aforementioned war over Orly. The Empire has furthermore made great advances in diplomacy and culture over the past two years, and implemented an improved Constitution last year.

Winter starts in Austenasia as new laws are passed

His Imperial Majesty the Emperor has announced the start of winter in the Austenasian calendar, and given Imperial Consent to two new Acts of Parliament. Austenasia has been battered by heavy winds and large amounts of rain over the past week, although thankfully there have been no floods as in the surrounding United Kingdom. This morning finally saw an end to the rain, although the temperature was several degrees colder than yesterday. This change in weather conditions has been used to mark the turning point from autumn to winter this year. The Emperor has also given Imperial Consent to two Acts of Parliament, passing them into law. The first has revised the law on homicide, defining the required acts and intentions for murder and manslaughter in greater detail and creating a separate offence of second-degree murder for killings in which, while harm was intended, it was not realised death was a possibility. The second act has codified Austenasian law on the subject of how international treaties are to be ratified.

The sun never sets on the lands of the Emperor

Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Phillip II, King of Spain. Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom. Now, Declan I of Austenasia and New Wessex has become the latest monarch to rule lands so extensive that at any time of the day, at any time of the year, at least part of them are in sunlight. The realms of Declan I have been steadily growing since 2010. At present, he is Emperor of Austenasia, King of New Wessex, and Amaşemé (literally “embodiement of Amager”, a mostly ceremonial but technically monarchical position) of Amager. Austenasia is situated in Great Britain, and Amager in North America. Until September, New Wessex like Austenasia was situated only on the island of Great Britain. However, in September it annexed a colony in North America, and on Monday 19th November it acquired a second colony, in Australasia. This second colony has been named New South Scotland, and it is the annexation of this territory which has prevented the lands of the Emperor from ever totally being in darkness. Haakon Lindstrom, president of Zealandia, claimed the territory on Monday morning and ceded it to New Wessex. Lindstrom has been appointed Governor of New South Scotland, which has an area of 31,390 square feet.