Annexation restrictions introduced as Lichtenstein and Heischierland ceded

Stringent restrictions were introduced in regards to the Empire claiming new land this morning after Austenasian sovereignty over the town of Lichtenstein and the crown dependency of Heischierland was abandoned due to a single person wishing to leave the Empire. Lord Charles Clarke – also known by a variety of pseudonyms throughout his political career – became an Austenasian in June 2013 after offering the then Territory of Emperorsland to Austenasia. Emperorsland expanded in 2014, annexing a neighbouring house inhabited by Lord Charles and his family, to become the Town of Lichtenstein. Later that year, the family’s holiday home was annexed as the Crown Dependency of Heischierland. Lord Charles has been an Austenasian official for over three years, and held four Cabinet positions at varying times. However, after announcing that he no longer wished to be a part of the Empire, the government found itself forced to cede Lichtenstein and Heischierland after losing the only person who was able to administer them. In the Act of Parliament passed this morning which ceded said land, tough new regulations have been introduced to prevent any future annexations of land which could be rendered ungovernable by the departure of a single person. From henceforth, any offers of land to the Empire must be approved by the Home Secretary before being considered by Parliament. The Home Secretary must ascertain (amongst other criteria) that more than one person is willing to administer the offer of land, and that the majority of any inhabitants wish (rather than just consent, as was the case with Lord Charles’ family) to become Austenasians. With the loss of the two areas of land administered by Lord Charles, the Empire’s population has dropped by three to 84.

Four new annexations take place as the Empire further expands

Seven people and over 64,000 square feet of land have joined the Empire of Austenasia in four simultaneous annexations. In Canada, a new Crown Dependency known as Shineshore has been annexed. Situated on the shore of Lake Ontario, it is the first time that the Empire has had a coastline of any sort, and a prospective naval force is currently being discussed. Shineshore, with a population of five, is governed by Lord Alastair Cranston. Lord Alastair is also owner of a second addition to the Empire, the Territory of Beith Craobh Iostan on the Scottish isle of Coll. This land features a newly-built holiday house, uninhabited for most of the year. The third expansion made by the Empire has been to the already existing Territory of Emperorsland, which has annexed the adjacent house lived in by its governor, Lord Hengest Crannis (formerly known as Karanys Dómynus and Theledir the Wight). The annexation of this house has transitioned the Territory of Emperorsland into the Empire’s fifth Town, now known as Lichtenstein, of which Lord Hengest has been appointed Acting Representative. The fourth annexation made by Austenasia this evening – all of which were put into effect by an Act of Parliament – has been of the Territory of Glencoe, ten square feet of land also in Scotland and owned by Lord Hengest. Neither Glencoe or Beith Craobh Iostan have had governors appointed to them due to no known suitable candidates living near enough to them.

Former Doshevikan land annexed as Austenasian Territory

Land formerly under the sovereignty of Doshevika and the Kingdom of Domanglia was yesterday annexed by the Empire as the Territory of Emperorsland. Karanys Dómynus, formerly known as Urokah Doshevik, presented his garden to the Empire after the Doshevikan state dissolved earlier this year. The garden has been annexed as the Territory of Emperorsland upon the passing of the Emperorsland Act 2013 yesterday morning. Dómynus has been appointed its governor and Duke of Grantabridge, a duchy set up to incorporate Emperorsland within the Austenasian hierarchy of administrative divisions. Emperorsland measures roughly 1715 square feet and is an enclave of the British village of Over in Cambridgeshire. This marks the fifth expansion of Austenasia since the start of the year.