Shireroth

From ShireWiki
Revision as of 02:30, 14 April 2009 by Shyriath (talk | contribs) (Edit for Erik)
Jump to: navigation, search

The Imperial Republic of Shireroth, or simply Shireroth (Shirithian English: ['ʃaɪɻ.ɻɑθ]; Yardistani: Širo ['ʃi.rɔ]; Written Halluci: sgaæaæaæg) is a monarchist micronation founded in 2000 by Erik Mortis. It is particularly old. Over the years the nation has fluctuated in size and activity, but it has endured in great part because of its loyal citizenry. The nation has a rather novel system of government, unique amongst most micronations, which its supporters claim has allowed it to survive all these years. However, in spite of repeated calls from disgruntled citizens and outsiders alike, Shireroth has historically been very resistant to calls for a more democratic system of government. The nation is culturally rich, its large number of territorial subdivisions contributing to a vast array of people and traditions. Overall, Shireroth is very diverse and has a well-seasoned history, making it a very distinctive micronation.

History

The Republic of Shireroth was founded on April 24, 2000, by Erik Mortis. In its original incarnation, it was a direct democracy, but this lasted only a few weeks before the country was absorbed into first Audentior, then Jasonia, and finally the Union of Apollo States. After the last of these broke apart, Shireroth reasserted its independence. Erik Mortis, once again in charge, changed the government to an absolute monarchy under a Kaiser, and created a small feudal system with two Duchies, Brookshire and Goldshire.

Shireroth soon became much more important than its youth would indicate as Patrick Foley chose to bequeath the remnants of the UAS to it as the Duchy of Kildare. With a number of military-oriented types like Daniel K and Greg Russell, Shireroth even menaced the largest power of the time, the Flying Islands of Jasonia. However, due to real life issues, Kaiser Metzler I disappeared for a while, and Shireroth disappeared with it. When Erik returned, he pulled the newly revived Shireroth into the Benacian Commonwealth with Hyperborea and Machiavellia. This soon led to the merge that became the Hegemony of Alexandros and later Tymaria, tying up Shireroth in larger nations until 2002.

When Shireroth reappeared after the Tymarian secessions of July 2002, it had managed to gobble up several smaller Tymarian states and gained the territories of Hyperborea, Yardistan, Jaris, and Akerbjorn, among many others. The feudal system expanded vastly to include a new level, Baron, and the Landsraad became a major organ of government.

Over the next two and a half years, Shireroth managed to dispel its image as being less serious and take its place alongside Babkha and Attera as one of the world's leading micronations. Through a series of diplomatic victories like the Mango-Camel Pact with Babkha, it gained a strong position in the international community despite a continued isolationist bent when nothing is going on that directly affects it. It also continued gaining citizens and territory, so much that the MCS has a rule that Shireroth can never gain any more land.

The Government

Shireroth is, for all intents and purposes, a feudal nation with a supreme ruler.

The Kaiser

The Kaiser of Shireroth is the absolute monarch of the country, whose word is law. Traditionally, the Kaiser has issued his edicts in the form of Imperial Decrees, though there are also Imperial Proclamations that voice opinions but without the force of law. The Kaiser has the ability to appoint Nobles and Ministers, and his power is only limited by the Imperial Charter -which he can edit at any time with the consent of the Prætor.

The Landsraad and Nobles

Malarbor.png UPDATE THIS PAGE! MALARBOR DEMANDS IT!
This article may have information that is no longer current or accurate. Please update it to reflect a current state of affairs.

Historically, the Kaiser has enlisted the aid of a council of Nobles known as the Landsraad as a voting legislature. The body exists at the Kaiser's pleasure and he can dissolve or restore it at any time for any reason. Initially the body was a small council composed solely of Dukes, but it later grew to include Barons, the class of noble below a Duke, and, with some restrictions, ministers. It has now reverted to a body with only Dukes. The Landsraad is limited in its power and cannot pass laws that violate Imperial Decrees. Laws passed by the Landsraad are amended to the Lawbook, a document which contains all of the laws of the nation except for Imperial and Ducal decrees.

Shireroth is divided up into a number of territories known as subdivisions. Each subdivision is ruled over by a noble who has absolute control over the subdivision, provided that he or she does not violate Imperial law and that he or she does not opt to use a non-feudal government within the subdivision. Dukes are the highest level of noble below the Kaiser and they control a teretory in Shireroth known as a duchy. There have been many Duchies in Shireroth, including Brookshire, Elwynn, Kildare, Straylight, Yardistan, Goldshire, Hyperborea, Lothlaria, and Arminy.

Brookshire and Goldshire were the original Duchies; the others are formed from other nations which chose to join with Shireroth or were created from other land that Shireroth controlled. Duchies may be divided up further into Baronies under a Baron, and those Baronies may be divided up further into Counties, under a Count. Dukes and Barons are officially recognized as legitimate nobles by the Imperial Government; however, Counts are not.

Ministers

The Kaiser gives menial tasks and other executive duties to his assistants, known as Ministers. They perform many tasks that the Kaiser could not be bothered with or which he does not have the specific knowledge to effect.

The Imperial Judex

The Imperial Judex serves as the Judicial system for Shireoth. It allows citizens to address grievances either amongst each other or with the laws. Cases are judged by the Arbiter. There is no jury.

Culture

Shireroth is a recreational micronation, and although it claims Sonoma County, California, where most of the population once resided, it is not seriously secessionist. The Yardistani Annexation Corps, however, can and does annex anything that strikes its fancy.

The national animal is the mythical, rare Shirerithian Blue Moose, the national fruit is the mango, and the national guard is the sheer ugliness of the forums, topped off by Malarbor, a menacing evil-tree-guy-figure in the background.

Every Duchy also tends to have its own specific culture. Some duchies, such as Brookshire, seem to have a culutre that strongly resembles the culture of the nation as a whole. Others, such as Hyperborea, have a strong and developed culture that has developed independently of Shireroth. Shireroth is also home to Cedrism and its more famous sister faith Boomism.


More extensive histories of Shireroth can be found here and here.

See Also:

History of Shireroth

Links

Discussion Boards Website