The Marches history - Revision history

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial army" to "[[Army"

2026-01-16T09:43:02Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial army" to "[[Army"

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:43, 16 January 2026
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	Even as the Marches spread and established a thriving nation, there were frequent battles between the Marchers themselves. Although Marcher households found it easy to unite against a common enemy, they often fell to quarrelling amongst themselves. Bitter feuds and grudges developed, usually over land and often paid in blood. By the time the [[First Empress]] began her crusade the Marches was split into half a dozen great households, each supported by the loyalties of countless minor households. While the Marchers were culturally united, these great households (at least two of which, the [[The Marches groups#The_Talbots\|Talbots]] and the [[The Marches groups#House_Bolholt\|Bolholts]] still endure to this day) each ruled their lands independently. Negotiations between households were usually arranged at fairs where powerful and wealthy Marchers would meet up to make deals and alliances and to discuss trade, politics and war. The most important of these was the [[Upwold#Stockland\|Stockland Fair]] held every Autumn equinox on the village green. As the Stockland Fair grew in size and importance it became an essential forum for households to air grievances with each other, make alliances, and broadly agree the defence of the Marches against the southern orcs of Mournwold.		Even as the Marches spread and established a thriving nation, there were frequent battles between the Marchers themselves. Although Marcher households found it easy to unite against a common enemy, they often fell to quarrelling amongst themselves. Bitter feuds and grudges developed, usually over land and often paid in blood. By the time the [[First Empress]] began her crusade the Marches was split into half a dozen great households, each supported by the loyalties of countless minor households. While the Marchers were culturally united, these great households (at least two of which, the [[The Marches groups#The_Talbots\|Talbots]] and the [[The Marches groups#House_Bolholt\|Bolholts]] still endure to this day) each ruled their lands independently. Negotiations between households were usually arranged at fairs where powerful and wealthy Marchers would meet up to make deals and alliances and to discuss trade, politics and war. The most important of these was the [[Upwold#Stockland\|Stockland Fair]] held every Autumn equinox on the village green. As the Stockland Fair grew in size and importance it became an essential forum for households to air grievances with each other, make alliances, and broadly agree the defence of the Marches against the southern orcs of Mournwold.

	The Marchers had no [[~~Imperial army~~\|armies]] as the Empire would recognise them at this time. Rather, each household undertook to equip and train themselves for war. If a household was threatened by orcs, the neighbouring [[steward\|stewards]] would meet and select a prominent [[Yeoman_of_the_Marches\|yeoman]] to act as field marshal for the coming battle. The marshal was required to make the final decision on what strategy to employ for a battle and to provide appropriate leadership once the fighting began. An experienced and successful field marshal was a huge asset to any household, allowing them to dictate terms when negotiating a potential attack on orc lands with other households.		The Marchers had no [[Army\|armies]] as the Empire would recognise them at this time. Rather, each household undertook to equip and train themselves for war. If a household was threatened by orcs, the neighbouring [[steward\|stewards]] would meet and select a prominent [[Yeoman_of_the_Marches\|yeoman]] to act as field marshal for the coming battle. The marshal was required to make the final decision on what strategy to employ for a battle and to provide appropriate leadership once the fighting began. An experienced and successful field marshal was a huge asset to any household, allowing them to dictate terms when negotiating a potential attack on orc lands with other households.

	This resistance to establishing any formal permanent leadership was a consequence of the independent and stubborn nature of the Marchers. They were in broad agreement that no single individual would be in charge - they had quit Dawn, after all, to get away from a system where the nobles ruled over those who toiled and the idea that someone would set themselves up as "monarch of the Marches" was anathema to them. Choosing their own stewards to run a household and a [[Field Marshal]] to run a battle was the pragmatic compromise that enabled leadership when it was essential, but it was a system with numerous obvious flaws. Attempts to create some more formal method of providing unity to the Marches were made, but each one quickly fell apart.		This resistance to establishing any formal permanent leadership was a consequence of the independent and stubborn nature of the Marchers. They were in broad agreement that no single individual would be in charge - they had quit Dawn, after all, to get away from a system where the nobles ruled over those who toiled and the idea that someone would set themselves up as "monarch of the Marches" was anathema to them. Choosing their own stewards to run a household and a [[Field Marshal]] to run a battle was the pragmatic compromise that enabled leadership when it was essential, but it was a system with numerous obvious flaws. Attempts to create some more formal method of providing unity to the Marches were made, but each one quickly fell apart.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Military Council" to "[[Military Council"

2026-01-15T12:23:31Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Military Council" to "[[Military Council"

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:23, 15 January 2026
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	Within weeks of the victory at Stockland, Henry and Drake drew up their forces on the fields in Ashbrook and dispatched an invitation to the Empress to meet them there. The popular version of events tells of how [[First Empress]] marched out of southern [[Miaren]], along the road guarded by [[Brock's Toll]], on foot with her standard bearer, and accepted the Marcher request to join the Empire. There is plenty of evidence in the Marches however that this version of events owes more to fancy than fact. The Marchers bargained with the representatives of the putative new alliance not as humble supplicants but as people who had just won a war of unification. Henry and Tom laid down several very specific demands regarding the nature of the alliance, the position of the nations within it, the adoption of the [[Field_Marshal\|field marshal]] to provide battlefield leadership where soldiers from multiple nations worked together, and crucially the requirements for how the military of the member nations would operate. Legend has it that Henry is reported to have thrown the Empress own words back at her when presenting the demands ending with the phrase "''we want all of them, or none of them''" - presenting the very real chance that the Marches would not join the Empire and would seek their own path.		Within weeks of the victory at Stockland, Henry and Drake drew up their forces on the fields in Ashbrook and dispatched an invitation to the Empress to meet them there. The popular version of events tells of how [[First Empress]] marched out of southern [[Miaren]], along the road guarded by [[Brock's Toll]], on foot with her standard bearer, and accepted the Marcher request to join the Empire. There is plenty of evidence in the Marches however that this version of events owes more to fancy than fact. The Marchers bargained with the representatives of the putative new alliance not as humble supplicants but as people who had just won a war of unification. Henry and Tom laid down several very specific demands regarding the nature of the alliance, the position of the nations within it, the adoption of the [[Field_Marshal\|field marshal]] to provide battlefield leadership where soldiers from multiple nations worked together, and crucially the requirements for how the military of the member nations would operate. Legend has it that Henry is reported to have thrown the Empress own words back at her when presenting the demands ending with the phrase "''we want all of them, or none of them''" - presenting the very real chance that the Marches would not join the Empire and would seek their own path.

	The first foundations of the [[~~Imperial~~ Military Council]] were laid during this meeting, with the Marchers receiving unexpected support from both representatives of [[the Brass Coast]], the early [[the League\|League]], and several factions of the [[Navarr]]. In the end, the Marcher demands were met and the newly-united Marches became part of the Empire.		The first foundations of the [[Military Council]] were laid during this meeting, with the Marchers receiving unexpected support from both representatives of [[the Brass Coast]], the early [[the League\|League]], and several factions of the [[Navarr]]. In the end, the Marcher demands were met and the newly-united Marches became part of the Empire.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Marcher.jpg\|align=right\|width=350}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Marcher.jpg\|align=right\|width=350}}

Rafferty at 11:16, 21 June 2025

2025-06-21T11:16:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:16, 21 June 2025
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	Following the dissolution of the Fair, those Marcher households and landskeepers who supported the idea of joining the Empire tried to recruit as many Marchers as possible to their side. Steadily the number of Marcher households remaining neutral was whittled away, with more and more feeling the need to choose one side or the other, or risk being considered an enemy by both sides. There were numerous armed clashes between rival households and old grudges came to the fore, leading to open skirmishes and bloody exchanges. It was always common for a household to call on allies when a grudge turned to open-fighting but the matter of the Empire split the Marches and the bloodshed escalated like never before. There were a few minor battles, but though the losers lost their lands and in many cases their lives, for the most part they were inconclusive, neither side could shift the balance firmly enough to settle the matter.		Following the dissolution of the Fair, those Marcher households and landskeepers who supported the idea of joining the Empire tried to recruit as many Marchers as possible to their side. Steadily the number of Marcher households remaining neutral was whittled away, with more and more feeling the need to choose one side or the other, or risk being considered an enemy by both sides. There were numerous armed clashes between rival households and old grudges came to the fore, leading to open skirmishes and bloody exchanges. It was always common for a household to call on allies when a grudge turned to open-fighting but the matter of the Empire split the Marches and the bloodshed escalated like never before. There were a few minor battles, but though the losers lost their lands and in many cases their lives, for the most part they were inconclusive, neither side could shift the balance firmly enough to settle the matter.

	While there were certainly folk on both sides motivated by the grudges and rivalries that underpinned Marcher society, others had more idealistic inspiration. Tom Drake, for example, wrote of his certainty that if the Marches could not be united, they would be conquered either by the orcs, or by a newly-invigorated Dawn. With the might of Highguard and the southern city-states behind them, the Marchers would be unable to resist the Empire's hunger for their rich farmlands. Even if they did not ultimately end up joining the Empire, the Marches could no longer afford to be a divided nation of petty households squabbling with each other. Henry of Meade spoke several times of the danger of an Empire where the elitist notions of Dawn were allowed to reign unchecked, and of what such an alliance might look like without any Marcher common sense to balance our Dawnish pig-headedness.		While there were certainly folk on both sides motivated by the grudges and rivalries that underpinned Marcher society, others had more idealistic inspiration. [[Life of Tom Drake\|Tom Drake]], for example, wrote of his certainty that if the Marches could not be united, they would be conquered either by the orcs, or by a newly-invigorated Dawn. With the might of Highguard and the southern city-states behind them, the Marchers would be unable to resist the Empire's hunger for their rich farmlands. Even if they did not ultimately end up joining the Empire, the Marches could no longer afford to be a divided nation of petty households squabbling with each other. Henry of Meade spoke several times of the danger of an Empire where the elitist notions of Dawn were allowed to reign unchecked, and of what such an alliance might look like without any Marcher common sense to balance our Dawnish pig-headedness.

	By contrast his main rival on the opposite side of the matter, the fiery Agnes Tiller of Wayford, argued that the Marches would simply be swallowed up if they attempted to join the new alliance. Instead of going cap in hand to this Dawnish monarch and her Highborn allies, the Marchers should look north to their friendly rivals in [[Wintermark]] - after all the Winterfolk king Alof Beorning had also declined to join the proposed Empire. She and her supporters actively sought a military alliance between the Marches, Wintermark, and the Navarr of Miaren and Hercynia, with the Winterfolk serving as liaisons to those Varushkans who were also unconvinced by the First Empress' vision.		By contrast his main rival on the opposite side of the matter, the fiery Agnes Tiller of Wayford, argued that the Marches would simply be swallowed up if they attempted to join the new alliance. Instead of going cap in hand to this Dawnish monarch and her Highborn allies, the Marchers should look north to their friendly rivals in [[Wintermark]] - after all the Winterfolk king Alof Beorning had also declined to join the proposed Empire. She and her supporters actively sought a military alliance between the Marches, Wintermark, and the Navarr of Miaren and Hercynia, with the Winterfolk serving as liaisons to those Varushkans who were also unconvinced by the First Empress' vision.

Rafferty: /* More Marches History */

2025-06-21T11:16:36Z

More Marches History

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:16, 21 June 2025
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	The second Marcher Throne was [[Emperor Walter]] of [[Upwold]]. An effective businessman and [[alders\|alder]], he was appointed only a short time ago in 371YE. His reign was very short, and very chaotic - he attempted to run the Empire like a business with near disastrous consequences. He is largely viewed as a failure and an embarrassment by the rest of the Marches. About the only good thing to come out of his reign was an awareness of just how much trouble the Empire was in - laying the groundwork for the appointment of [[Empress Britta]] and the [[Imperial_history#Resurgence\|resurgence]] that continues to this day.		The second Marcher Throne was [[Emperor Walter]] of [[Upwold]]. An effective businessman and [[alders\|alder]], he was appointed only a short time ago in 371YE. His reign was very short, and very chaotic - he attempted to run the Empire like a business with near disastrous consequences. He is largely viewed as a failure and an embarrassment by the rest of the Marches. About the only good thing to come out of his reign was an awareness of just how much trouble the Empire was in - laying the groundwork for the appointment of [[Empress Britta]] and the [[Imperial_history#Resurgence\|resurgence]] that continues to this day.
	===More Marches History===		===More Marches History===
			* [[Life_of_Tom_Drake#Alderei_the_Fair\|Life of Tom Drake]] - contains discussion of Marcher hero, and casts a new light on the Cousins' War
	* [[Steward of Brock's Heath]] - [[Historical research]] into the life of "old Morgan", a pre-Imperial steward of House Brockheath, which discusses early-Marcher relationships with the [[Navarr]] in particular		* [[Steward of Brock's Heath]] - [[Historical research]] into the life of "old Morgan", a pre-Imperial steward of House Brockheath, which discusses early-Marcher relationships with the [[Navarr]] in particular
	* [[Bregasland and the smiths]] - research relating to the sinking of Bregasland, and the story of the disappearing "Marcher smiths"		* [[Bregasland and the smiths]] - research relating to the sinking of Bregasland, and the story of the disappearing "Marcher smiths"
	* [[The Ore Hills Rebellion]] - research regarding the short-lived rebellion in Mournwold in 326YE		* [[The Ore Hills Rebellion]] - research regarding the short-lived rebellion in Mournwold in 326YE
	{{The Marches Links}}		{{The Marches Links}}

Rafferty: /* Marchers on the Throne */

2024-06-27T09:17:55Z

Marchers on the Throne

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:17, 27 June 2024
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	The second Marcher Throne was [[Emperor Walter]] of [[Upwold]]. An effective businessman and [[alders\|alder]], he was appointed only a short time ago in 371YE. His reign was very short, and very chaotic - he attempted to run the Empire like a business with near disastrous consequences. He is largely viewed as a failure and an embarrassment by the rest of the Marches. About the only good thing to come out of his reign was an awareness of just how much trouble the Empire was in - laying the groundwork for the appointment of [[Empress Britta]] and the [[Imperial_history#Resurgence\|resurgence]] that continues to this day.		The second Marcher Throne was [[Emperor Walter]] of [[Upwold]]. An effective businessman and [[alders\|alder]], he was appointed only a short time ago in 371YE. His reign was very short, and very chaotic - he attempted to run the Empire like a business with near disastrous consequences. He is largely viewed as a failure and an embarrassment by the rest of the Marches. About the only good thing to come out of his reign was an awareness of just how much trouble the Empire was in - laying the groundwork for the appointment of [[Empress Britta]] and the [[Imperial_history#Resurgence\|resurgence]] that continues to this day.
			===More Marches History===
			* [[Steward of Brock's Heath]] - [[Historical research]] into the life of "old Morgan", a pre-Imperial steward of House Brockheath, which discusses early-Marcher relationships with the [[Navarr]] in particular
			* [[Bregasland and the smiths]] - research relating to the sinking of Bregasland, and the story of the disappearing "Marcher smiths"
			* [[The Ore Hills Rebellion]] - research regarding the short-lived rebellion in Mournwold in 326YE
	{{The Marches Links}}		{{The Marches Links}}

Rafferty: /* Historical Links */

2024-06-27T09:17:41Z

Historical Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:17, 27 June 2024
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	The second Marcher Throne was [[Emperor Walter]] of [[Upwold]]. An effective businessman and [[alders\|alder]], he was appointed only a short time ago in 371YE. His reign was very short, and very chaotic - he attempted to run the Empire like a business with near disastrous consequences. He is largely viewed as a failure and an embarrassment by the rest of the Marches. About the only good thing to come out of his reign was an awareness of just how much trouble the Empire was in - laying the groundwork for the appointment of [[Empress Britta]] and the [[Imperial_history#Resurgence\|resurgence]] that continues to this day.		The second Marcher Throne was [[Emperor Walter]] of [[Upwold]]. An effective businessman and [[alders\|alder]], he was appointed only a short time ago in 371YE. His reign was very short, and very chaotic - he attempted to run the Empire like a business with near disastrous consequences. He is largely viewed as a failure and an embarrassment by the rest of the Marches. About the only good thing to come out of his reign was an awareness of just how much trouble the Empire was in - laying the groundwork for the appointment of [[Empress Britta]] and the [[Imperial_history#Resurgence\|resurgence]] that continues to this day.
	{{The Marches Links}}		{{The Marches Links}}
	~~===Historical Links===~~
	* [[Steward of Brock's Heath]] - [[Historical research]] into the life of "old Morgan", a pre-Imperial steward of House Brockheath, which discusses early-Marcher relationships with the [[Navarr]] in particular
	* [[Bregasland and the smiths]] - research relating to the sinking of Bregasland, and the story of the disappearing "Marcher smiths"
	* [[The Ore Hills Rebellion]] - research regarding the short-lived rebellion in Mournwold in 326YE

Rafferty: /* Historical Links */

2024-06-26T19:49:55Z

Historical Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:49, 26 June 2024
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	===Historical Links===		===Historical Links===
	* [[Steward of Brock's Heath]] - [[Historical research]] into the life of "old Morgan", a pre-Imperial steward of House Brockheath, which discusses early-Marcher relationships with the [[Navarr]] in particular		* [[Steward of Brock's Heath]] - [[Historical research]] into the life of "old Morgan", a pre-Imperial steward of House Brockheath, which discusses early-Marcher relationships with the [[Navarr]] in particular
			* [[Bregasland and the smiths]] - research relating to the sinking of Bregasland, and the story of the disappearing "Marcher smiths"
			* [[The Ore Hills Rebellion]] - research regarding the short-lived rebellion in Mournwold in 326YE

Dre at 21:43, 13 May 2024

2024-05-13T21:43:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:43, 13 May 2024
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	While there were certainly folk on both sides motivated by the grudges and rivalries that underpinned Marcher society, others had more idealistic inspiration. Tom Drake, for example, wrote of his certainty that if the Marches could not be united, they would be conquered either by the orcs, or by a newly-invigorated Dawn. With the might of Highguard and the southern city-states behind them, the Marchers would be unable to resist the Empire's hunger for their rich farmlands. Even if they did not ultimately end up joining the Empire, the Marches could no longer afford to be a divided nation of petty households squabbling with each other. Henry of Meade spoke several times of the danger of an Empire where the elitist notions of Dawn were allowed to reign unchecked, and of what such an alliance might look like without any Marcher common sense to balance our Dawnish pig-headedness.		While there were certainly folk on both sides motivated by the grudges and rivalries that underpinned Marcher society, others had more idealistic inspiration. Tom Drake, for example, wrote of his certainty that if the Marches could not be united, they would be conquered either by the orcs, or by a newly-invigorated Dawn. With the might of Highguard and the southern city-states behind them, the Marchers would be unable to resist the Empire's hunger for their rich farmlands. Even if they did not ultimately end up joining the Empire, the Marches could no longer afford to be a divided nation of petty households squabbling with each other. Henry of Meade spoke several times of the danger of an Empire where the elitist notions of Dawn were allowed to reign unchecked, and of what such an alliance might look like without any Marcher common sense to balance our Dawnish pig-headedness.

	By contrast his main rival on the opposite side of the matter, the fiery Agnes Tiller of Wayford, argued that the Marches would simply be swallowed up if they attempted to join the new alliance. Instead of going cap in hand to this Dawnish monarch and her Highborn allies, the Marchers should look north to their friendly rivals in [[Wintermark]] - after all the Winterfolk king Alof Beorning had also declined to join the proposed Empire. She and her supporters actively sought a military alliance between the Marches, Wintermark, and the Navarr of Miaren and Hercynia, with the Winterfolk serving as ~~liasons~~ to those Varushkans who were also unconvinced by the First Empress' vision.		By contrast his main rival on the opposite side of the matter, the fiery Agnes Tiller of Wayford, argued that the Marches would simply be swallowed up if they attempted to join the new alliance. Instead of going cap in hand to this Dawnish monarch and her Highborn allies, the Marchers should look north to their friendly rivals in [[Wintermark]] - after all the Winterfolk king Alof Beorning had also declined to join the proposed Empire. She and her supporters actively sought a military alliance between the Marches, Wintermark, and the Navarr of Miaren and Hercynia, with the Winterfolk serving as liaisons to those Varushkans who were also unconvinced by the First Empress' vision.

	After a year of escalation, the stewards again came together at Stockland but this time there was no appetite for trade and celebration. The two factions and their supporters camped ~~seperately~~ on either side of Hepton Bridge. Those who sided with the Empress were ~~lead~~ by Brigit, Henry, and the canny military commander, Tom Drake. They established an armed camp on Monk's Heath on the northern bank of the River Meade. Those who believed the Marches should remain independent were ~~lead~~ by Gregory of Ashill and Mary Hay. They pitched camp south of the river, on the commons at Maiden's Run. The fair itself was cancelled for the first time in living memory, and as the sun rose over the fields both armies began to move.		After a year of escalation, the stewards again came together at Stockland but this time there was no appetite for trade and celebration. The two factions and their supporters camped separately on either side of Hepton Bridge. Those who sided with the Empress were led by Brigit, Henry, and the canny military commander, Tom Drake. They established an armed camp on Monk's Heath on the northern bank of the River Meade. Those who believed the Marches should remain independent were lea by Gregory of Ashill and Mary Hay. They pitched camp south of the river, on the commons at Maiden's Run. The fair itself was cancelled for the first time in living memory, and as the sun rose over the fields both armies began to move.

	The fighting was bloody, and continued until close to sundown. Although they marginally outnumbered their rivals, Tom Drake's strategy was widely credited with carrying the day. The defeated stewards were forced to accept the outcome to keep their lands, those who refused either fled the Marches or were executed. The Battle of Hepton Bridge was not strictly the last battle of the Cousin's War, but with the deaths of so many opposing stewards on the fields of Stockmarch, the outcome was never in doubt. Some of the defeated households bowed their heads to inevitability, while others refused to capitulate and lost their lands. A few, ~~lead~~ by Agnes Tiller's surviving daughter Hazel, quit the Marches with their soldiers and fled north.		The fighting was bloody, and continued until close to sundown. Although they marginally outnumbered their rivals, Tom Drake's strategy was widely credited with carrying the day. The defeated stewards were forced to accept the outcome to keep their lands, those who refused either fled the Marches or were executed. The Battle of Hepton Bridge was not strictly the last battle of the Cousin's War, but with the deaths of so many opposing stewards on the fields of Stockmarch, the outcome was never in doubt. Some of the defeated households bowed their heads to inevitability, while others refused to capitulate and lost their lands. A few, led by Agnes Tiller's surviving daughter Hazel, quit the Marches with their soldiers and fled north.

	Within weeks of the victory at Stockland, Henry and Drake drew up their forces on the fields in Ashbrook and dispatched an invitation to the Empress to meet them there. The popular version of events tells of how [[First Empress]] marched out of southern [[Miaren]], along the road guarded by [[Brock's Toll]], on foot with her standard bearer, and accepted the Marcher request to join the Empire. There is plenty of evidence in the Marches however that this version of events owes more to fancy than fact. The Marchers bargained with the representatives of the putative new alliance not as humble supplicants but as people who had just won a war of unification. Henry and Tom laid down several very specific demands regarding the nature of the alliance, the position of the nations within it, the adoption of the [[Field_Marshal\|field marshal]] to provide battlefield leadership where soldiers from multiple nations worked together, and crucially the requirements for how the military of the member nations would operate. Legend has it that Henry is reported to have thrown the Empress own words back at her when presenting the demands ending with the phrase "''we want all of them, or none of them''" - presenting the very real chance that the Marches would not join the Empire and would seek their own path.		Within weeks of the victory at Stockland, Henry and Drake drew up their forces on the fields in Ashbrook and dispatched an invitation to the Empress to meet them there. The popular version of events tells of how [[First Empress]] marched out of southern [[Miaren]], along the road guarded by [[Brock's Toll]], on foot with her standard bearer, and accepted the Marcher request to join the Empire. There is plenty of evidence in the Marches however that this version of events owes more to fancy than fact. The Marchers bargained with the representatives of the putative new alliance not as humble supplicants but as people who had just won a war of unification. Henry and Tom laid down several very specific demands regarding the nature of the alliance, the position of the nations within it, the adoption of the [[Field_Marshal\|field marshal]] to provide battlefield leadership where soldiers from multiple nations worked together, and crucially the requirements for how the military of the member nations would operate. Legend has it that Henry is reported to have thrown the Empress own words back at her when presenting the demands ending with the phrase "''we want all of them, or none of them''" - presenting the very real chance that the Marches would not join the Empire and would seek their own path.

Hailmur at 13:29, 13 April 2024

2024-04-13T13:29:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:29, 13 April 2024
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	The Empress publicly refused to accept the offer. "''I will take all of you, or none of you.''" she announced. It fell to wise Brigit to explain the Empress pronouncement - that the Empire had no use for a divided land. It would not take some of the Marcher Households, and let the others squabble among themselves. The Empress was eager to embrace the Marches but any attempt by her to unite the nation by force would be a disaster. The Empire could not afford to become embroiled in a civil war and worse the Marcher ability to hold grudges would leave the Empire viewed not as liberators but as conquerors. If the Marchers were serious about joining, they would need to be united in doing so.		The Empress publicly refused to accept the offer. "''I will take all of you, or none of you.''" she announced. It fell to wise Brigit to explain the Empress pronouncement - that the Empire had no use for a divided land. It would not take some of the Marcher Households, and let the others squabble among themselves. The Empress was eager to embrace the Marches but any attempt by her to unite the nation by force would be a disaster. The Empire could not afford to become embroiled in a civil war and worse the Marcher ability to hold grudges would leave the Empire viewed not as liberators but as conquerors. If the Marchers were serious about joining, they would need to be united in doing so.

	Another of the Empress' close confidants, Barell, Merchant Prince of Tassato, approached Henry of Meade with an alternative. The cities of Tassato and Sarvos were looking to join forces with others to form a league of like-minded city states. Meade could "cut their losses" and join the Empire as part of this new league. The offer might have been appealing to the ~~aldermen~~ of Meade, but it was given short shrift by the stewards of Upwold and their representatives. The city might be an important source of trade and wealth for many yeomen but by long tradition it was land that ruled the Marches, and not coin.		Another of the Empress' close confidants, Barell, Merchant Prince of Tassato, approached Henry of Meade with an alternative. The cities of Tassato and Sarvos were looking to join forces with others to form a league of like-minded city states. Meade could "cut their losses" and join the Empire as part of this new league. The offer might have been appealing to the [[alders]] of Meade, but it was given short shrift by the stewards of Upwold and their representatives. The city might be an important source of trade and wealth for many yeomen but by long tradition it was land that ruled the Marches, and not coin.

	==The Cousin's War==		==The Cousin's War==
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	Two Marchers have sat on [[the Throne\|the Imperial Throne]], and their reigns could not have been more different.		Two Marchers have sat on [[the Throne\|the Imperial Throne]], and their reigns could not have been more different.

	The first Marcher to take the Throne was [[Emperor James]] of [[Mournwold]]. Appointed in 257YE, he was crowned as the Empire was in real danger of being destroyed by the barbarian [[orc\|orcs]] after decades of fruitless back-and-forth conquest and liberation. He is perhaps most famous for "''fixing the borders''", making it illegal for the Empire to add new territory until such time as the Senate and the Synod were both in agreement that the Empire was sufficiently strengthened as to be able to hold those territories. His reign ~~ushured~~ in the [[Imperial_history#.28281_YE_-_300_YE.29_The_Second_Interregnum\|Second Interregnum]], just under twenty years of relative peace and prosperity for the entire Empire during which the Throne remained vacant.		The first Marcher to take the Throne was [[Emperor James]] of [[Mournwold]]. Appointed in 257YE, he was crowned as the Empire was in real danger of being destroyed by the barbarian [[orc\|orcs]] after decades of fruitless back-and-forth conquest and liberation. He is perhaps most famous for "''fixing the borders''", making it illegal for the Empire to add new territory until such time as the Senate and the Synod were both in agreement that the Empire was sufficiently strengthened as to be able to hold those territories. His reign ushered in the [[Imperial_history#.28281_YE_-_300_YE.29_The_Second_Interregnum\|Second Interregnum]], just under twenty years of relative peace and prosperity for the entire Empire during which the Throne remained vacant.

	The second Marcher Throne was [[Emperor Walter]] of [[Upwold]]. An effective businessman and [[~~The_Marches_economic_interests~~\|~~Alderman~~]], he was appointed only a short time ago in 371YE. His reign was very short, and very chaotic - he attempted to run the Empire like a business with near disastrous consequences. He is largely viewed as a failure and an embarrassment by the rest of the Marches. About the only good thing to come out of his reign was an awareness of just how much trouble the Empire was in - laying the groundwork for the appointment of [[Empress Britta]] and the [[Imperial_history#Resurgence\|resurgence]] that continues to this day.		The second Marcher Throne was [[Emperor Walter]] of [[Upwold]]. An effective businessman and [[alders\|alder]], he was appointed only a short time ago in 371YE. His reign was very short, and very chaotic - he attempted to run the Empire like a business with near disastrous consequences. He is largely viewed as a failure and an embarrassment by the rest of the Marches. About the only good thing to come out of his reign was an awareness of just how much trouble the Empire was in - laying the groundwork for the appointment of [[Empress Britta]] and the [[Imperial_history#Resurgence\|resurgence]] that continues to this day.
	{{The Marches Links}}		{{The Marches Links}}
	===Historical Links===		===Historical Links===
	* [[Steward of Brock's Heath]] - [[Historical research]] into the life of "old Morgan", a pre-Imperial steward of House Brockheath, which discusses early-Marcher relationships with the [[Navarr]] in particular		* [[Steward of Brock's Heath]] - [[Historical research]] into the life of "old Morgan", a pre-Imperial steward of House Brockheath, which discusses early-Marcher relationships with the [[Navarr]] in particular

Rafferty at 10:45, 12 July 2023

2023-07-12T10:45:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:45, 12 July 2023
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	[[Category:History]]		[[Category:History]]
	<div style="float:~~leftt~~; width: 600px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Marchers Marching.jpg\|caption=The exodus from [[Dawn]] gives the nation its name, and defines their stubborn independence.\|width=600\|align=left}}</div>		<div style="float:left; width: 600px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Marchers Marching.jpg\|caption=The exodus from [[Dawn]] gives the nation its name, and defines their stubborn independence.\|width=600\|align=left}}</div>
	==The creation of the Marches==		==The creation of the Marches==
	The history of the Marchers begins with a rebellion in Dawn. A group of disaffected yeofolk determined to leave their lord's lands and make a better life for themselves. Their complaints were numerous and varied; the lack of opportunities for those of low-birth, the failure to recognise the importance of hard work or to adequately reward it. Personal disagreements inflamed these inequities, petty rivalries and personal snubs exacerbated the tension.		The history of the Marchers begins with a rebellion in Dawn. A group of disaffected yeofolk determined to leave their lord's lands and make a better life for themselves. Their complaints were numerous and varied; the lack of opportunities for those of low-birth, the failure to recognise the importance of hard work or to adequately reward it. Personal disagreements inflamed these inequities, petty rivalries and personal snubs exacerbated the tension.
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	Those yeomen who had not lost land to the orcs were not overly concerned - the barbarians regularly raiding the southern Marches and were always turned back - but this time something was different. The orcs fought with a singular purpose, and their internal divisions seemed significantly less pressing in stark contrast to the Marchers themselves. Historians point to a similar situation in [[Kahraman]], and to the rise of the first kings and queens of Narkyst exerting a strong unifying influence over orcs displaced by the Marchers and the Freeborn in previous centuries.		Those yeomen who had not lost land to the orcs were not overly concerned - the barbarians regularly raiding the southern Marches and were always turned back - but this time something was different. The orcs fought with a singular purpose, and their internal divisions seemed significantly less pressing in stark contrast to the Marchers themselves. Historians point to a similar situation in [[Kahraman]], and to the rise of the first kings and queens of Narkyst exerting a strong unifying influence over orcs displaced by the Marchers and the Freeborn in previous centuries.

	==Joining the Empire==		==Joining the Empire==
	It is perhaps unsurprising that in the face of the barbarian threat, when [[Landskeeper]] Brigit of Dourfen brought word to the Stockland Fair of the meeting arranged by the [[First Empress]], only a small handful of Stewards were prepared to leave their estates to make the journey to distant [[Casinea#Anvil\|Anvil]]. While a number of other households sent representatives along, they were largely more interested in ''"keeping an eye on whatever it is the Dawnish are up to now"'' as one of them put it.		It is perhaps unsurprising that in the face of the barbarian threat, when [[Landskeeper]] Brigit of Dourfen brought word to the Stockland Fair of the meeting arranged by the [[First Empress]], only a small handful of Stewards were prepared to leave their estates to make the journey to distant [[Casinea#Anvil\|Anvil]]. While a number of other households sent representatives along, they were largely more interested in ''"keeping an eye on whatever it is the Dawnish are up to now"'' as one of them put it.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:23, 15 January 2026
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	Within weeks of the victory at Stockland, Henry and Drake drew up their forces on the fields in Ashbrook and dispatched an invitation to the Empress to meet them there. The popular version of events tells of how [[First Empress]] marched out of southern [[Miaren]], along the road guarded by [[Brock's Toll]], on foot with her standard bearer, and accepted the Marcher request to join the Empire. There is plenty of evidence in the Marches however that this version of events owes more to fancy than fact. The Marchers bargained with the representatives of the putative new alliance not as humble supplicants but as people who had just won a war of unification. Henry and Tom laid down several very specific demands regarding the nature of the alliance, the position of the nations within it, the adoption of the [[Field_Marshal\|field marshal]] to provide battlefield leadership where soldiers from multiple nations worked together, and crucially the requirements for how the military of the member nations would operate. Legend has it that Henry is reported to have thrown the Empress own words back at her when presenting the demands ending with the phrase "''we want all of them, or none of them''" - presenting the very real chance that the Marches would not join the Empire and would seek their own path.		Within weeks of the victory at Stockland, Henry and Drake drew up their forces on the fields in Ashbrook and dispatched an invitation to the Empress to meet them there. The popular version of events tells of how [[First Empress]] marched out of southern [[Miaren]], along the road guarded by [[Brock's Toll]], on foot with her standard bearer, and accepted the Marcher request to join the Empire. There is plenty of evidence in the Marches however that this version of events owes more to fancy than fact. The Marchers bargained with the representatives of the putative new alliance not as humble supplicants but as people who had just won a war of unification. Henry and Tom laid down several very specific demands regarding the nature of the alliance, the position of the nations within it, the adoption of the [[Field_Marshal\|field marshal]] to provide battlefield leadership where soldiers from multiple nations worked together, and crucially the requirements for how the military of the member nations would operate. Legend has it that Henry is reported to have thrown the Empress own words back at her when presenting the demands ending with the phrase "''we want all of them, or none of them''" - presenting the very real chance that the Marches would not join the Empire and would seek their own path.

	The first foundations of the [[~~Imperial~~ Military Council]] were laid during this meeting, with the Marchers receiving unexpected support from both representatives of [[the Brass Coast]], the early [[the League\|League]], and several factions of the [[Navarr]]. In the end, the Marcher demands were met and the newly-united Marches became part of the Empire.		The first foundations of the [[Military Council]] were laid during this meeting, with the Marchers receiving unexpected support from both representatives of [[the Brass Coast]], the early [[the League\|League]], and several factions of the [[Navarr]]. In the end, the Marcher demands were met and the newly-united Marches became part of the Empire.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Marcher.jpg\|align=right\|width=350}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Marcher.jpg\|align=right\|width=350}}