Difference between revisions of "Republic of Shireroth"

From ShireWiki
Jump to: navigation, search
 
Line 6: Line 6:
 
The records of the era were poorly maintained, with many lost during the Great Plague of 1480, but from these we find reference to a peasants revolt recorded in the barbaric Praeta of the age as the "Direct Democracy Riots". We cannot be entirely sure when, or even if, these disorders occurred. That these events, occurring 218 years prior to the time of writing, have been almost entirely lost is a damning indictment of the dark age endured in the transition from the Second to the Third Era of our history. What appears to have occurred however is that either because of, or in reaction to, this uprising, which coincides intriguingly with the collapse of the ''Old Goldendown'' culture on [[Goldshire]], a coup was mounted in [[Shirekeep]] during the reign of [[Kaiser John II]] in 1443.  
 
The records of the era were poorly maintained, with many lost during the Great Plague of 1480, but from these we find reference to a peasants revolt recorded in the barbaric Praeta of the age as the "Direct Democracy Riots". We cannot be entirely sure when, or even if, these disorders occurred. That these events, occurring 218 years prior to the time of writing, have been almost entirely lost is a damning indictment of the dark age endured in the transition from the Second to the Third Era of our history. What appears to have occurred however is that either because of, or in reaction to, this uprising, which coincides intriguingly with the collapse of the ''Old Goldendown'' culture on [[Goldshire]], a coup was mounted in [[Shirekeep]] during the reign of [[Kaiser John II]] in 1443.  
  
After [[Kaiser Erik II|Erik of Ly'Technomaezj-Metzler]] forced closed the Gate of Balgurd and prevented the Kaiser from commanding reinforcements to emerge from within, Kaiser John II was cast into the streets for the once-fearful denizens of the city to make of him what they wished. Taking the Kaiser's crown and the Sword of Vengeance for himself, he led an army into Goldshire, when news came that the Followers of Rrakanychan had consolidated a force of mortal men and daemons, led by the notorious Demon Fish of Balgurd.
+
After [[Kaiser Erik II|Erik of Ly'Technomaezj-Metzler]] forced closed the Gate of Balgurd and prevented the Kaiser from commanding reinforcements to emerge from within, Kaiser John II was cast into the streets for the once-fearful denizens of the city to make of him what they wished. Taking the Kaiser's crown and the Sword of Vengeance for himself, he led an army into [[Goldshire]], when news came that the [[Followers of Rrakanychan]] had consolidated a force of mortal men and daemons, led by the notorious Demon Fish of Balgurd.
  
As these chaotic events unfolded [[Raynor's Keep]], denuded of troops by the antics of various warring kaisers, was seized by a clique of unidentified reformists who sought, for a brief shining moment, to create in eastern Benacia a progressive and democratic utopia that would mark a clean break from the mindless anarchy of the Second Era.
+
As these chaotic events unfolded [[Raynor's Keep]], denuded of troops by the antics of various warring kaisers, was seized by a clique of unidentified reformists who sought, for a brief shining moment, to create in eastern Benacia a progressive and democratic utopia that would mark a clean break from the mindless anarchy of the Second Era. The "Provisional Government" as it styled itself appointed, perhaps unwisely, Erik of Ly'Technomaezj-Metzler as its President. Although it was undoubtedly prudent to have the most prominent and successfully warlord in the Elwynn river valley ''onside'', Erik's impetuous temperament, already manifested in his headlong rush into the re-subjugation of Goldshire, would cause a myriad of problems later on. 
  
 
Influenced by the philosophy of "Direct Democracy" which emerged from [[Jasonia]], the Republic of Shireroth embraced a radical form of democratic centralism that has never been attempted before or since. The electoral franchise of the Republic was to have been universal, the chaotic collection of  
 
Influenced by the philosophy of "Direct Democracy" which emerged from [[Jasonia]], the Republic of Shireroth embraced a radical form of democratic centralism that has never been attempted before or since. The electoral franchise of the Republic was to have been universal, the chaotic collection of  

Latest revision as of 07:23, 2 July 2018

The Republic of Shireroth was the earliest predecessor to modern day Shireroth.

History

The Republic of Shireroth (often simply abbreviated as the RS) was founded as a significantly different place than it currently is. It was a republic as the name suggests. The Modern name "Imperial Republic of Shireroth" merely retains the name because it was simply never changed. The RS's government was set up in response to the rise of Apollonian nations, the advent of new Political parties, the rapid consolidation of smaller polities, and the tendency of existing states to fracture as provinces sought independence.

The records of the era were poorly maintained, with many lost during the Great Plague of 1480, but from these we find reference to a peasants revolt recorded in the barbaric Praeta of the age as the "Direct Democracy Riots". We cannot be entirely sure when, or even if, these disorders occurred. That these events, occurring 218 years prior to the time of writing, have been almost entirely lost is a damning indictment of the dark age endured in the transition from the Second to the Third Era of our history. What appears to have occurred however is that either because of, or in reaction to, this uprising, which coincides intriguingly with the collapse of the Old Goldendown culture on Goldshire, a coup was mounted in Shirekeep during the reign of Kaiser John II in 1443.

After Erik of Ly'Technomaezj-Metzler forced closed the Gate of Balgurd and prevented the Kaiser from commanding reinforcements to emerge from within, Kaiser John II was cast into the streets for the once-fearful denizens of the city to make of him what they wished. Taking the Kaiser's crown and the Sword of Vengeance for himself, he led an army into Goldshire, when news came that the Followers of Rrakanychan had consolidated a force of mortal men and daemons, led by the notorious Demon Fish of Balgurd.

As these chaotic events unfolded Raynor's Keep, denuded of troops by the antics of various warring kaisers, was seized by a clique of unidentified reformists who sought, for a brief shining moment, to create in eastern Benacia a progressive and democratic utopia that would mark a clean break from the mindless anarchy of the Second Era. The "Provisional Government" as it styled itself appointed, perhaps unwisely, Erik of Ly'Technomaezj-Metzler as its President. Although it was undoubtedly prudent to have the most prominent and successfully warlord in the Elwynn river valley onside, Erik's impetuous temperament, already manifested in his headlong rush into the re-subjugation of Goldshire, would cause a myriad of problems later on.

Influenced by the philosophy of "Direct Democracy" which emerged from Jasonia, the Republic of Shireroth embraced a radical form of democratic centralism that has never been attempted before or since. The electoral franchise of the Republic was to have been universal, the chaotic collection of feuding dominions leftover from the Second Era were to have been swept away and internal subdivisions were consequently prohibited in an attempt to minimise factionalism. Holders of foreign nationality were also banished in order to get rid of possible conflicts of interest. The tenets of democracy were central to the nation; the right of citizens to a vote and the exercise of free-speech were freely granted in the RS, yet political parties - because of the overwhelming fear of factionalism - were sternly prohibited.

Central to the government were a small series of documents: The Articles of Creation, The Provisional Constitution, The Bill of Rights, and The Non-citizens Bill of Rights. The most important of these documents were The Articles of Creation and The Bill of Rights. These two documents give the clearest view of the intended direction of the nation. The Articles set up a number of the policies that would be central to the government as it grew, and the Bill of Rights made clear what freedoms the citizens of the RS would be given. The President in the provisional government was basically a dictator who would have his actual powers fleshed out when the constitution was revised into its final form.

The provisional government of the RS never made it into it's full form as the country was quickly subjected to a rapid, indeed bewildering, succession of foreign occupations during the period 1444–1470. . It would seem that the original incarnation of Shireroth only lasted a few months in 1444 before the country was annexed by Audentior.

The country that re-emerged after 1470, substantially enlarged by territories snatched from the collapsing Tymarian empire, had regressed into the feudal, xenophobic, and isolationist characteristics of the ancestral polity; modified only by the demands of an imperial administration, wherein the powers of the Kaiser had greatly expanded, after the reign of Kaiser Mors II.

Comparing the Republic to Modern Shireroth

Obviously, the differences between the Republic of Shireroth and the Imperial Republic are striking. Below is a table to allow a quick glance at the differences.

The Republic Modern Shireroth
Leadership The President The Kaiser and the Landsraad and Nobles
Subdivisions Disallowed Feudal era: Duchies and Baronies
Neofeudal (modern) era: Imperial States and Imperial Dominions. See also Bailiwicks and Counties for local administration.
Political Parties Disallowed Allowed
Voting All Citizens have the right to vote Restricted franchise, segregated by class. Only nobles may vote in the Landsraad.
Dual Citizenship Disallowed Allowed.
Form of Government Democratic Republic (intended) Oligarchy under a mixed constitution.
Rights Numerous Rights and obligations defined by social status.