Lentia
Lentia Lentië (Lentian) Capital: Kirchenburg (Kerkenburg)
Population: 22.447.000 (2022) Motto: Fortune favours the bold (Het geluk is met de stoutmoedigen) |
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Lentia (Lentian: Lentië) is a country located in northwestern West Uletha. Lentia's capital is Kirchenburg (colloquial Lentian: Kerkenburg), which is located in the east of the country. The country's official language is Lentian (Lents), and its 22.447.000 inhabitants are called Lentians (Lenten). Lentia borders Tircambry (Tircambrië) to the west, Kalm and Ventria (Venterije) to the south, and Utterland to the southeast, and is connected to Atreisia (Atreisië) and Sonnenburg with road and rail tunnels under the Firth of Hetzer (Hetzerbaai).
Lentia has a rich history, with the Triadine Empire, feudal rulers and revolutionary forces all contributing to the formation of the modern Lentian state that constitutes the country today. After gaining independence in 1667, Lentian colonial power began to expand, leading to the creation of colonies like Drull and Fayaan. Its former colonial empire has had lasting effects on several countries across the world and has given Lentia enormous wealth. In the present, Lentia is known as a tolerant and open country that maintains good relations with its neighbours and other nations all over the world.
Queen Emiliana II is the current head of the Lentian state, which is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy divided into four regions (gewesten). TBD is the elected head of government as the prime minister of the TBD-I cabinet. Lentia is a founding member of the Assembly of Nations, and the Hetzer Union (Hetzerunie), an alliance of Lentian-speaking nations on the Firth of Hetzer. The country's economy is largely based on services, with a smaller agricultural sector based in mountainous areas and an industrial sector largely found in the harbours of Ekerdam, Kirchenburg and Ridderburg, and the southwestern Sternië province. This service-based economy is a result of the open policy of the country and contributes to a HDI of 0.926, one of the highest in the world.
Etymology and terminology
Lentia (Lentian: Lentië) takes its name from the archaic native name of the "Lenten" tribe that moved into the area approximately 2000 years ago. The Romantians referred to the area where the Lents lived as Lentia which later rendered as Lentië or Lentia in Ingrean[1].
Lentian is spoken in Lentia, Utterland, Sonnenburg and Atreisia.
History
History of Lentia until 1667 | |
---|---|
Early history | c. 200 BCE - 750 CE |
• Romantish conquest | 2nd century BCE |
• Christicisation | 4th century CE |
Grand Duke Era | 750 - 1627 |
• First cities | 814 |
• Western Migration | 1093 |
• Meulenaers' Landing | 1473 |
• Charter of the Wapenvliet | 1604 |
Forty Years' War | 1627 - 1667 |
• Lentian Epistle | 1627 |
• Battle of Ziel | 1649 |
• Capture of Ekerdam | 1657 |
• Treaty of Lichtenbosch | 1667 |
History of Lentia after 1667 | |
---|---|
Monarchist Lentia | 1667 - 1830 |
• Battle of La Selva | 1690 |
• Misty War | 1743 |
• Continental War | late 18th century |
Democratic Lentia | 1830 - present |
• Parliament Law | 1830 |
• Great Unrest | 1894 |
• Women's Law | 1906 |
• Good Decrees | 1998 |
This section is unfinished and not decisive, many segments are based on other wikis and are thus subject to change if the owners of those countries change their countries' histories.
The underlined text is stuff that has no historic/wiki sources, but is still important for Lentia in an Ulethan or global context.
Early history
Human settlement in Lentia dates back to at least 2500 BCE, as remains of burial mounds from the Bronze Age have been found near Wassert.
Lentia was part of the Triadine Empire which had a lasting cultural and linguistical influence on the Lentian speaking lands. The first recorded Triadine conquest of the territory was in the late second century BCE, when a centurion named Marcus Arquetius occupied the lands north of the river Lende in the southeast of Lentia. The area now known as Lentia was then sparsely populated by tribes like the Barsii (Barsen),the Woedes (Woeden), and the Lentii (Lenten). Arquetius engaged and traded with the latter tribe, causing him to name the area after them: Lentia. Soon after, the Triadines invaded the area, fully occupying it by 285 CE[2].
In the fourth century, Christic missionaries from the Empire and central Uletha came to Lentia, leading to the Christicisation of the land. Monasteries, abbeys and chapels were set up and small towns and villages erected churches to show their faith. These settlements were the predecessors of many important cities and towns in Lentia.
During the later stages of the Triadine Empire when central control from the imperial capital Osianopolis was slowly fading, local rulers took control of their respective lands creating a feudal system. After the fall of the empire the lands currently known as Lentia consisted of several small counties, duchies and prince-bishoprics that shared a common culture and are their historical borders are still visible in the current provincial subdivisions.
Medieval history
Following great droughts and famine in the first century, many people in the areas of Sticht and Koerland relocated westward in search for better health and food. In the event known as the Western Migration, the Lentian language spread to the areas now known as Westrijk and Koeterland. Early principalities with Lentian rulers emerged there.
After 700, the counties, duchies and prince-bishoprics became part of the Kalmic Empire. Through marriage politics and warfare the smaller entities would eventually merge into larger entities, by the 2nd half of the 16th century all territories had merged into the Prince-Bishopric of Sticht in the East, Grand Duchy of Koeterland in the northwest, Grand Duchy of Koerland in the centre and the Grand Duchy of Westrijk in the southwest. This period of Grand Ducal dominance is known as the Era of the Grand Dukes (Groothertoglijke Periode).
In the ninth century, the towns of Kruisburg and Sint Jan became important centres for Christic missionaries, knights and peasants who were on pilgrimage to Furghenia or on their way for the Western Crusades. As a reward for their hospitality and importance for the faith, the settlements were granted city status in 814, the first places in Lentia to receive these titles. Since 814, large towns with cathedrals or important ecclesiastical buildings have been granted city rights.
Colonial era
<this must be much earlier, certain areas were already settled in the 13th century>
The first stories of Archantan and Tarephian riches reached Lentia in the late 1460s, sparking interest in these far lands and potential treasures there. This resulted in the first expeditions towards these continents from 1470 onwards, of which Erik Meulenaers' expedition was the first one to reach Archanta. After a lengthy journey, Erik Meulenaers, commandeering the vessel Eenhoorn (Unicorn), landed on the western coast of Fayaan during an event now called Meulenaers' Landing. Diederik Fierabras, who would become one of Lentia's most important admirals, was also present at the landing as one of Meulenaers' cabin boys. In the following years, journeys to all corners of Archanta were made by Lentian captains, and Lentia established itself as a major colonial trading power.
Lentia's colonial era commenced with the creation of the Colonial Company (Koloniale Kompagnie), a continuation of the Belt trade organisation which had been active in the Kalmic Empire for centuries and which encompassed a cooperation between the main cities in western Kalm and the main cities on the Vinn Sea and Morcanol Bay. This company was later split in two companies: Colonial Company of Archanta Minor (Koloniale Kompagnie van Archanta Minor/KKAM) and the Colonial Company of New Tarephia (Koloniale Kompagnie van Nieuw Tarephia/KKNT). These companies had great independence and powers bestowed on them by the Charter of the Wapenvliet (Oorkonde van de Wapenvliet) on 7 March 1604. This charter authorised the KKAM and KKNT to use “wapenvliet” ships, which could carry cannons and explosives, in order to establish new colonies by force. This resulted in the creation of the colonies of Muinen (Fayaan), Neerlandia (Vega), Nieuw Wijzel & Maalprovincie (CCA) and Drull. The KKAM and KKNT used slavery, warfare and trade deals to extract great riches from the colonies, greatly increasing Lentian wealth.
Struggle for independence[3]
In 1627, the Lentian Rebellion (Lentische Opstand), better known as Forty Years' War[4] (Veertigjarige Oorlog), started after Childebert III, Prince-Bishop of Sticht, and Arnold, Grand Duke of Koerland, declared independence from the foreign empire in a letter to the Emperor known as the Lentian Epistle (Lentische Brief). Childebert and Arnold stated that the Emperor did not suffice in granting citizens basic rights such as fair taxation, freedom of speech and freedom of religion, rendering him inept to rule the two Grand Duchies. The other Lentian principalities of Koeterland and Westrijk joined Sticht against the foreign empire, starting the Lentian Rebellion. Childebert quickly moved his army towards Raadsberg to ensure a corridor that would allow communications with Komsburg, the capital of Koerland, where Arnold gathered his troops. The foreign empire quickly took Westrijk and most of Koeterland to suppress rebels in those areas and prepare for an invasion of the eastern grand duchies.
In the first two decades of the war, the foreign empire largely succeeded in suppressing the revolt, as the Lentian troops were slowly pushed east- and northward. Cities like Ekerdam, Kaaphaven, Komsburg, Grijten and even remote Kruisburg and Frederiksbad fell into the hands of Imperial troops, often as a result of bloody sieges. It came to a great standoff at Ziel, on the outskirts Kirchenburg, in 1649, when Marshal Josephus van der Tarm's cavalry charge from the Zielerhoogten crushed the Imperial left flank and gave the foreign empire the first significant defeat in the Rebellion. The Battle of Ziel was a turning point in the war, as the saving of Sticht's capital renewed Lentian morale, pushing the Imperial troops out of Sticht.
The following years, Imperial troops were dealt significant blows by the Lentians, like the Battle in the Lentse Scheur, pushing them further and further westward. The cities of Nadrauwen, Komsburg and Hertogswilt were liberated after sieges, while Imperial garrisons in southern Koerland, cut off from support from troops in the north, surrendered to Arnold's army at Droggem. In 1655, Sticht, Koerland and northern Koeterland were completely in Lentian hands, and in early 1656, Lentian troops reached Ekerdam. The city was captured on 25 July 1657 after a year-long siege led by Marshal Johannes Roodzwaard. The liberation of the capital of Lentian colonial trade gave a great boost in morale for the Lentian Rebels and allowed Lentian colonials to use the trade facilities in Ekerdam again. The profit generated by the reuse of Ekerdam's harbour could now be used in the war effort, which was shown by the raising of several new legions to fight the foreign empire.
The new legions marched along the Graft river into Westrijk, liberating Lichtenbosch and the eastern Liek basin. The foreign empire called on auxiliary forces and met the Lentians near Sternem in 1661, where a fierce battle was fought. Imperial forces strengthened by their auxiliaries defeated the Lentians and pushed them back north, knowing that Lentian reinforcements were unavailable due to the port city of Ochtenbad still being in Imperial hands and the Lentians needing troops to prevent the foreign soldiers breaking the siege. At the same time, the liberators of Sticht were making their way to Glazenappen to regroup with their counterparts from Koeterland, who were dealing with the last pockets of Imperial troops in northern Koeterland. Hearing the activity in Westrijk, the troops from Sticht abandoned Glazenappen and rushed to aid their fellows in the south. In the town of Galven, the exhausted new legions from Westrijk met the Stichters, who immediately dug in near the river banks in an effort to stop the Imperial advance. During the following Battle of Galven, Childebert III of Sticht and Arnold of Koerland were killed, together with more than two thousand Lentian soldiers. This great loss of life saw the Lentians come out as victorious, as they pushed the foreign troops back south. The united legions then advanced slowly towards the important city of Koelm, liberating eastern and northern Westrijk in the process.
In late 1666, a legion under command of Marshal Christiaan Nukild liberated Zwier, the last Imperial stronghold in western Lentia. The foreign empire then realised their campaign in the Lentian territories was lost, and sent representatives to the Lentian camp at Lichtenbosch. The commencing negotiations facilitated the creation of an independent Lentian state and the end of Imperial rule over the Grand Duchies. This all resulted in the Treaty of Lichtenbosch (Verdrag van Lichtenbosch) of 11 April 1667. In this treaty, the foreign empire ceded Sticht, Koerland, Koeterland and Westrijk to the newly formed country of Lentia[5]. Godfried the Great, the son of late Childebert III, was crowned as the first King of Lentia. As a sign of the end of hostilities, an Imperial delegation was present at Godfried's coronation in Kirchenburg, Lentia's new capital.
Monarchist Lentia
In early 1743, the Misty War (Mistoorlog) started as a result of a trading dispute between Lentia and Ventria. After an army from Ventria crossed the Catens into southern Koerland, the cities of Karm and Kruisburg were besieged. Lentian forces marched to Karm and a great battle ensued known as the Battle of Karm, which was barely won by the Lentians. The Ventrian king then retreated towards Kruisburg to take the city, but was defeated by his pursuers and citizens of Kruisburg who were aided by Christic knights who were stopping by on pilgrimage. The Ventrians then retreated south towards Ventria, but stopped at Sacramentsberg to take the villagers hostage in order to buy time for the majority of the army to reach te border. Many of Sacramentsberg's people were killed, and the Lentians only pursued the Ventrians quicker. Only five days after the Ventrians crossed the border, the Lentians reached Ventria, and King Godfried III threatened to destroy the Ventrian town of XX, if king's name would not send messengers to arrange an end to hostilities and settle the trade dispute. The following negotiations resulted in the County of Mistland∈⊾ being ceded from Ventria to Lentia to make up for the damage done in Koerland, particularly Kruisburg, Karm and Sacramentsberg. Trade between the two countries was also regulated more closely as a result of the negotiations. The Misty War ended on 19 October 1743[4].
Somewhere between 1780 and 1820:
Second War of Independence (sub conflict of a greater continental war) – During this conflict, Lentian forces might have collaborated in the battles of Cervonograd/Zwartrif/Porto Real/Tarott? It was in this conflict that Lentia gained widespread international recognition.
Democratic Lentia
After popular protests and advice from Hendrik Lewijk and Anna Basingen, two of the King’s advisors, to amend the constitution, King Frederik the Great signed the Parliament Law (Parlementwet). This Act allowed the formation of the Parliament of Lentia (Parlement van Lentië) consisting of the General People's Assembly (Algemene Volksvergadering) and the Lentian Senate (Lentische Senaat) on 1 January 1830[6]. In the same amendment, the many principalities of the country were reorganised into provinces with elected councils. This greatly reduced the powers of the Lentian nobility, who lost their direct power over their territories but, along with men above the age of 35, were allowed to vote in new elections. The noble families were also allowed to retain their titles[4].
After the Atreisian transition to democracy in 1838, Lentia and Atreisia started to become close allies. The ties between the countries became formalised in the Treaty of Halmyde (Verdrag van Halmyde) of 1841[7], allowing for free trade and good relations between the two major countries on the Hetzer. The amicable relationship between the countries allowed them to industrialise rapidly and establish trade in the Hetzer region. To acknowledge the importance of the friendship between Lentia and Atreisia, the day of the signing of the Treaty of Halmyde, 15 April became designated as a national holiday.
In May 1894, countrywide protests of peasant workers broke out after Lodewijk Adriaan Udertman, an important advocate of universal suffrage, was removed from parliament by the ruling class. These protests resulted in mass arrests of miners in Nadrauwen, triggering a strike in the Marken province. Union leaders in Marken urged their counterparts in the other provinces to declare strikes as well, and by June 1894, 80% of the Lentian workforce had stopped their labour during the period known as the Great Unrest (Grote Oproer)[4]. The resulting economic stagnation and the risk of masses of workers breaking into parliament caused the GPA and LS to amend the Constitution in order to allow all men from the age of 18 and all women from the age of 30 to vote[8]. The women's voting age was later lowered to 18 in 1906 with the Women's Law (Vrouwenwet). This law, proposed by Westrijk politician Margaretha van Messel, also gave Lentian women equal legal status as men. By passing the Women's Law, Lentia became one of the first countries to make significant steps towards emancipation.
Somewhere in the 1890s?
In 189X, the Lentian-speaking nations of Sonnenburg and Utterland expressed interest in joining the Lentian-Atreisian alliance. After long negotiations, the parliaments of Lentia and Atreisia approved of the request to join the alliance, and on XX XX 189X, the Hetzer Union (Hetzerunie) was established. The Union has allowed the four countries to collaborate closely and boost eachother's economies.
During the 1920s:
Most of Lentia’s colonies become independent in this decade, as the General Assembly is strongly anticolonial. Drull becomes known as the Drull Vrijstaat (Drull Free State), while Neerlandia becomes part of the Principality of Vega and Nieuw Wijzel is absorbed by the Commonwealth of Central Archanta. The atolls of Verbruggen and Mokelulu remain under Lentian protectorates but gain large degrees of autonomy. The Hayley Islands are transferred to the Kingdom of Pasalia.
1966:
Member of the Assembly of Nations – After joining general negotiations to form a global cooperative organisation in 1965, Lentia becomes a founding member of the Assembly of Nations in 1966. Ties with countries all over the world are created.
On 18 March 1998, two revolutionary Royal Decrees were signed into law by Queen Emiliana II. The first decree legalised same-sex marriage, making Lentia one of the first countries in the world to do so, while the second decree officially created the League for the Protection of the Lentian People (Bond ter Bescherming van het Lentische Volk), which became the main advisory council for the government, giving advice on the country's every aspect, like transport, the Lentian culture, foreign relations, the economy and environmental issues. These decrees have given Lentia the image of a tolerant country with rich cultural heritage and became known as the Good Decrees (Goede Besluiten).
Geography
Location and borders
Geography of Lentia | |
---|---|
Continent | West Uletha |
Region | Hetzer - Morcanol |
Population | 22.477.000 (2022) |
Area | |
• Total | 70.215,75 km2 27.110,45 sq mi |
Major bodies of water | Aas, Eker, Graft, Koer, Koetermeer, Lende, Lentse Scheur, Liek, Sper |
Major mountain ranges | Lentian Caten, Lentian Plateau, Ruizel Moutains |
Time zone | WUT +2 (DTS +3) |
Lentia is located in the northwest of West Uletha, straddling the central-southern shores of Morcanol Bay. The country shares land borders with Tircambry, Kalm, Ventria and Utterland, and has maritime borders with Tircambry, UL11b, Atreisia, Sonnenburg and Utterland. Lentia has a total area of 70.215,75 km² including bodies of water[9].
To the west, the border with Tircambry begins in international waters of Morcanol Bay. The land border is largely constituted by the Meur river before reaching the border tripoint with Kalm. From Zwier to Koehoorn, the border with Kalm is largely based on ancient county boundaries. East of Koehoorn, the Kalm-Lentia border goes along the peaks of the Southern Ruizel Mountans until the Kalm-Lentia-Ventria tripoint. The border with Ventria follows peaks of the Lentian Caten (a sub-range of the Great Ulethan Catens) but bends east at the Wolkenbreker mountain to claim the Mistland for Lentia. East of the Mistland, the border goes from the Vergeldingshoorn mountain to the Lentia-Utterland-Ventria tripoint near Sacramentsberg. From there, the Lentia-Utterland border goes near Vrouwendorp (Lentia) and Calmui (Utterland) to reach the Goudvinger and Poortwachter mountains of the eastern Lentian Caten, before reaching Fieren. From Fieren, the Lende river determines the border between Lentia and Utterland. At the mouth of the Lende river at Lendeburg, the border becomes maritime and follows the approximate centre of the Firth of Hetzer. Just north of Houtkust, a maritime tripoint of Lentia, Utterland and Sonnenburg is found, from which the Lentia-Sonnenburg border goes north along the middle of the Firth. About halfway, a road-and-railway tunnel connects Lentia and Sonnenburg using the A30 (Lentia) and S5 (Sonnenburg) motorways. A tripoint of Lentia, Sonnenburg and Atreisia can be found north of Schoorlbergen, from which the border goes north along Spitten (Atreisia), Hetsburg (Lentia) and Halmyde (Atreisia) until it ends in international waters. Between Rodezand (Lentia) and Hondenduinen (Atreisia) a road tunnel carrying the Lentian A27 and the Atreisian A10 motorways connects the two countries. North of the Waddenzee, a maritime border exists between Lentia and UL11b.
Geology, topography and hydrography
Climate
Environment
Administrative divisions
Administrative divisions of Lentia | |
---|---|
First-level | 4 regions (gewesten) |
Second-level | 25 provinces (provincies) |
Third-level | XX municipalities (gemeenten) |
Lentia consists of four regions (gewesten) and is further divided into 25 provinces (provincies).
The regions are Lentia's four federal subjects and enjoy some degree of autonomy. Each region has a distinct dialect and has several unique traditions. The regional boundaries are based on the territories of ancient grand duchies that existed prior to Lentia's formation in the 17th century.
Each region is further divided into provinces, which have several governmental duties as well as administrative purposes.
Gewest | Provinces | Capital | Largest city | Population | Area (km²) | Density (km²) | Flag |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Koeterland | 7 | Ekerdam | Ekerdam | 6,009,000 | 18,145 | 331 | |
Westrijk | 8 | Sternem | Sternem | 5,421,000 | 19,130 | 283 | |
Sticht | 4 | Kirchenburg | Kirchenburg | 5,540,000 | 9,644 | 574 | |
Koerland | 6 | Komsburg | Komsburg | 5,507,000 | 14,849 | 371 | |
Lentia | 25 | - | 22,477,000 | 61,589 | 365 |
Province | Capital | Largest city | Population* | Area (km²) | Density (km²) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Akringen | Wevermarkt | Ekerdam | 1,472,000 | 2,107 | 699 |
Erfland | Ramond | Ramond | 1,015,000 | 2,674 | 380 |
Goer | Zielenheil | Zielenheil | 682,000 | 1,567 | 435 |
Karolingen | Kwaadieper | Kwaadieper | 799,000 | 2,917 | 274 |
Wijzel | Hertenkamp | Hertenkamp | 783,000 | 4,033 | 194 |
Woldingen | Glazenappen | Weurt | 556,000 | 3,327 | 167 |
Zwartland | Kaaphaven | Kaaphaven | 702,000 | 1,344 | 522 |
Koeterland | Ekerdam | Ekerdam | 6,009,000 | 18,145 | 331 |
Province | Capital | Largest city | Population* | Area (km²) | Density (km²) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ermgauw | Koelm | Koelm | 1,926,000 | 2,054 | 938 |
Grensland | Grensburg | Grensburg | 546,000 | 2,056 | 266 |
Lansbergen | Toerstadt | Toerstadt | 481,000 | 3,886 | 124 |
Meurrijk | Zwier | Zwier | 491,000 | 1,591 | 309 |
Sternië | Sternem | Sternem | 778,000 | 1,725 | 451 |
Teisterbant | Lichtenbosch | Lichtenbosch | 529,000 | 2,533 | 209 |
Wetten | Spiers | Spiers | 283,000 | 2,018 | 140 |
Zilverije | Adelaarsbad | Krottingen | 387,000 | 3,267 | 118 |
Westrijk | Sternem | Sternem | 5,421,000 | 19,130 | 283 |
Province | Capital | Largest city | Population* | Area (km²) | Density (km²) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leeuwen | Leeuwenkrans | Leeuwenkrans | 2,076,000 | 3,264 | 636 |
Plattenbergen | Parelbosch | Parelbosch | 1,291,000 | 2,458 | 525 |
Vrijten | Waver | Waver | 1,011,000 | 2,726 | 371 |
Wel | Abdijen | Kerkenburg | 1,162,000 | 1,196 | 972 |
Sticht | Kerkenburg | Kerkenburg | 5,540,000 | 9,644 | 574 |
Province | Capital | Largest city | Population* | Area (km²) | Density (km²) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Drennerdalen | Waardenburg | Waardenburg | 378,000 | 4,174 | 91 |
Marken | Nadrauwen | Komsburg | 2,669,000 | 2,722 | 981 |
Mistland | - | - | 16,000 | 1,616 | 10 |
Kartuizië | Kruisburg | Kruisburg | 532,000 | 2,422 | 220 |
Keizersbergen | Sperburg | Sperburg | 632,000 | 2,375 | 266 |
Spergauwen | Ridderburg | Ridderburg | 1,280,000 | 1,540 | 831 |
Koerland | Komsburg | Komsburg | 5,507,000 | 14,849 | 371 |
*Population calculation based on 4800 inhabitants per km² of residential terrain + 100 inhabitants per km² of fertile terrain.
Government and politics
Governance and institutions
Government of Lentia | |
---|---|
Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy | |
Capital | Kirchenburg (Kerkenburg) |
Head of state | |
• Queen (Koningin) | Emiliana II |
• Prime Minister (Eerste minister) | TBD |
Legislature | Council of Lentia (Raad van Lentië) |
• Upper house | Lentian Senate (Lentische Senaat) |
• Lower house | General People's Assembly (Algemene Volksvergadering) |
Judiciary | Highest Court (Hoogste Hof) |
Executive | Queen's Cabinet (Koninginskabinet) |
AN, Hetzer Union |
National governmental structure and politics[10]
Since 1830, the Constitution of Lentia describes Lentia as a constitutional parliamentary monarchy which follows the ideals of the trias politica. Lentia has
had parliamentary elections since 1815, when men above the age of 35 were granted the right to vote. After the Great Unrest of 1894, suffrage became a right for men from the age of 18 and for women from the age of 35. From 1906, women from the age of 18 are allowed to vote as well[4]. Since the Constitution requires the Lentian state to follow the trias politica, power is divided into three branches of power, which keep each other in check. These three branches are the legislative, executive and judicial branches. The monarch of Lentia is designated as the head of state and has great power de jure, but none de facto.
Legislative power is in hands of the bicameral Lentian parliament, which is called the Council of Lentia (Raad van Lentië), located in the Aaspaleis in Kirchenburg. The Council's lower house is the General People's Assembly (Algemene Volksvergadering), and is directly elected by Lentian citizens every four years since 1906. The 200 members of the GPA propose new laws, based on Lentian norms and values, international law and the Lentian Constitution, after which the GPA votes in favour or against. If a majority of members is in favour of a proposed law, the law goes to the upper house, the Lentian Senate (Lentische Senaat). The Senate consists of 33 academics and 42 directly elected politicians, who test the proposals on feasability, applicability and acceptance of civilians. If the proposal is deemed to be fit for purpose by the Senate, it is signed into law by the monarch in a Royal Decree (Koninklijk Besluit).
Executive power is exercised by the Queen's Cabinet (Koninginskabinet, or in case of a male monarch: King's Cabinet / Koningskabinet), which, according to the Constitution, consists of a head of government, the Prime minister (Eerste minister / Premier), and their ministers, who each have a department (ministerie) they are responsible for. The Cabinet does the day-to-day running of Lentia, using Lentian law to organise and structure Lentian daily life. The ministers of the Cabinet hold a weekly meeting (Ministeriële Zitting) that is open for the public to visit, where all governmental affairs are discussed. The Lentian Cabinet is formed from members of the ruling political party or parties, who are not part of parliament. After the parliamentary elections, new elections are held for the Cabinet, where citizens can vote for members of the ruling party or parties to become minister and prime minister. The Cabinet is theoretically directly responsible to the sitting monarch but practically to the parliament of Lentia, and can be disbanded if majority of parliament votes in favour of a Motion of Distrust towards the Cabinet (Motie van Wantrouwen jegens het Kabinet).
The judicial branch consists of the Lentian justice system, which is de jure headed by the monarch. The monarch gives Lentian citizens who have completed a doctorate in Law studies at Lentian universities and have succesfully defended their knowledge against the Highest Court (Hoogste Hof) of Lentia the title of judge (rechter), making that person a member of the justice system. Judicial officials interpret, test, defend and apply Lentian law, give out sentences under criminal law and use law to settle disputes between Lentian citizens, organisations, governmental institutions and the State.
Regional governance[11]
According to Article 3 of the Lentian Constitution, Lentia is a federal country which consists of four regions (Gewesten). The four regions of Lentia are from east to west: Sticht∈⊾, Koerland∈⊾, Koeterland∈⊾ and Westrijk∈⊾. Lentia's regions are rooted in history and have their own traditions, culture and dialect. The regions enjoy some level of autonomy, but are ultimately subordinate to the national/federal government. Each region has a representative who can speak, but not vote, on their behalf in the GPA. This person is called the Queen's Representative (Vertegenwoordiger van de Koningin) of their respective region and is elected every five years during the regional council elections.
Provincial governance
Governmental institutions
Name | Position | Position assumed |
---|---|---|
Emiliana II van Sticht - Abdijen | Monarch (head of state)
Monarch (staatshoofd) |
27 April 1997 |
TBD | Prime minister (head of government)
Eerste Minister / Premier (regeringsleider) |
|
TBD | Speaker of the General People's Assembly
Voorzitter van de Algemene Volksvergadering |
|
TBD | Speaker of the Lentian Senate
Voorzitter van de Lentische Senaat |
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TBD | Queen's Representative for Koerland
Vertegenwoordiger van de Koningin voor Koerland |
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Anneke Giesbergen | Queen's Representative for Koeterland
Vertegenwoordiger van de Koningin voor Koeterland |
8 December 2016
(re-elected in 2021) |
TBD | Queen's Representative for Sticht
Vertegenwoordiger van de Koningin voor Sticht |
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TBD | Queen's Representative for Westrijk
Vertegenwoordiger van de Koningin voor Westrijk |
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Thomas de Groot | Chair of the Highest Court
Voorzitter van het Hoogste Hof |
6 July 2008 |
Monarchy of Lentia
Lentia is a federal constitutional parliamentary monarchy, meaning the country is ran by the Lentian parliament, and the monarch only has ceremonial power and functions as the head of state of Lentia. De jure, the monarch is the highest source of power in Lentia, as it is in the monarch's power to not sign laws or dissolve a Cabinet, but no monarch to date has dared to do so. Since 1667, there have been eleven Kings of Lentia and four Queens of Lentia.
The monarchy of Lentia is hereditary, with the title of King or Queen going to the oldest living child of the monarch after the death of the monarch. In 1893, the constitution was amended to favour absolute primogeniture over male-preference primogeniture. The Royal Consort (Koninklijke Gemaal) is the monarch’s spouse and receives the royal surname upon marriage. They take the title of King or Queen as well, but are not considered to be the head of state. The royal family are descendants of the House of Sticht – Abdijen, a branch of the rulers of the ancient Grand Duchy of Sticht. Since 27 April 1997[12], the monarch of Lentia is Queen Emiliana II, with King Dennis as Royal Consort.
In 1716, Godfried II and his wife Queen Emiliana of Zoderschalen suddenly died when their ship sank off the coast of Engelenburg. In line with tradition, his son Godfried III became King, even though he was 13 years old at the time. Due to the young King’s age, Godfried II’s brother Anders became regent until Godfried III was old enough to reign the country capably. On Godfried III’s 18th birthday on 18 August 1721, prince Anders officially transferred the power of Lentia to Godfried III[13].
In 1861, Frederik III, then heir apparent to the throne, married Alexandra Groen, the daughter of a lumberjack from Woldingen. This was the first time a commoner became a Royal Consort[13], and paved the way for the royal family to become more connected with their people. Since Frederik III and Alexandra’s marriage, four monarchs (Cathelijne, Frederik IV, Ruben and Emiliana II) have married commoners.
List of Lentian monarchs:
Timespan | Monarch | Royal consort |
1667 – 1702 | Godfried I the Great | Elisabeth of Blaauwenburg |
1702 – 1716 | Godfried II with the Beard | Emiliana of Zoderschalen |
1716 – 1760 | Godfried III | Victoria of Toerstadt |
1716 – 1721 | Regency of Prince Anders | |
1760 – 1781 | Karel I the Desired | Maria of Kruisburg |
1781 – 1800 | Karel II the Cruel | Johanna of Sternië |
1800 – 1810 | Sophia | Sebastiaan of Sperburg |
1810 – 1836 | Frederik I the Great | Catharina of Zwartland |
1836 – 1846 | Frederik II | A princess from Atreisia? |
1846 – 1870 | Emiliana I the Strong | Johan of Sternië |
1870 – 1893 | Frederik III the Simple | Alexandra Groen |
1893 – 1914 | Cathelijne | Anton Dekker |
1914 – 1940 | Karel III | A princess from Utterland? |
1940 – 1961 | Frederik IV the Bold | Irene de Jong |
1961 – 1997 | Ruben | Charlotte Nieuwendam |
1997 – present | Emiliana II | Dennis Bouwman |
Current royal family
The current royal family is headed by Queen Emiliana II (born on 17 January 1962 as Emiliana Charlotte Maria Aurora) with her husband King Dennis (born on 6 April 1969 as Dennis Jeroen Bouwman), who was born as a commoner.
Emiliana is the oldest child of King Ruben and Queen Charlotte, and has three siblings, prince Willem Ruben Johannes (born on 29 September 1964), princess Johanna Irene Rosalie (born on 1 July 1968), and prince Joost Frederik Koenraad (born 22 April 1969). Emiliana was heir apparent to the Lentian throne since birth, as her father Ruben became King in 1961, after the death of Frederik IV, Emiliana’s grandfather. In 1988, Emiliana graduated from the University of Kirchenburg, with Master’s degrees in Law and History. She married commoner Dennis Jeroen Bouwman, an architect from Vaarnum, on 1 June 1990 in Saint Michael's Cathedral in Kirchenburg. After King Ruben abdicated due to health issues in 1997, she became the fourth Queen of Lentia, excluding royal consorts, on 27 April 1997[13].
Emiliana and Dennis have two children; Princess Therese Emiliana Maria (born on 15 November 1994) and Princess Catalina Fleur Elisabeth (born 31 March 1999).
Therese has been the Crown Princess of Lentia since her mother’s accession to the throne in 1997. In 2016, she obtained a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Ekerdam. She came out as lesbian in 2013, making her the first ever member of the Lentian royal family who is part of the LGBTQ+ community. She married medical specialist Iris Meijer (born on 16 November 1994, one day after Therese) in 2023.
Catalina is second in line and currently studies Law at the University of Kirchenburg. She has reportedly been dating a fellow Law student named Teun since 2021.
Title | Name | Date of birth | Relation to the monarch |
---|---|---|---|
The Queen of Lentia | Emiliana Charlotte Maria Aurora van Sticht - Abdijen | 17 January 1962 | N/A |
The Royal Consort | Dennis Jeroen van Sticht - Abdijen (né Bouwman) | 6 April 1969 | Spouse (m. 1990) |
The Crown Princess | Therese Emiliana Maria van Sticht - Abdijen | 15 November 1994 | Daughter |
The Heir Consort | Iris Wilhelmina van Sticht - Abdijen (née Meijer) | 16 November 1994 | Daughter-in-law (m. 2023) |
The Princess | Catalina Fleur Elisabeth van Sticht - Abdijen | 31 March 1999 | Daughter |
The Duke of Leeuwen and Vrijten | Willem Ruben Johannes van Sticht - Abdijen | 29 September 1964 | Brother |
The Duchess of Leeuwen and Vrijten | Roos Francien van Sticht - Abdijen (née Seegers) | 6 February 1966 | Sister-in-law (m. 1989) |
The Duchess of Zilverbergen | Johanna Irene Rosalie van Sticht - Abdijen | 1 July 1968 | Sister |
The Duke of Zilverbergen | Daniël Jan "Danny" van Sticht - Abdijen (né Eltink) | 31 August 1967 | Brother-in-law (m. 1992) |
The Duke of Whysel | Joost Frederik Koenraad van Sticht - Abdijen | 22 April 1969 | Brother |
The Duchess of Whysel | Florence van Sticht - Abdijen (née van de Velden) | 8 April 1969 | Sister-in-law (m. 1998) |
Titles of the royal family
The monarch of Lentia holds a number of titles indicating their status as the ruler of several areas in Lentia. Queen Emiliana II’s official style renders her titles are as follows:
Ingerish: | Lentian: |
Emiliana II of Sticht – Abdijen, Queen of Lentia, Grand Duchess of Sticht, Koerland, Koeterland and Westrijk, Duchess of Akringen, Marken, Sternië and Wel, Baroness of the Borderland, Saint Odemaars, the Waddenzee and Azen, Countess of Mistland, Marchioness of Blaansneek, Blaauwenburg, Nadrauwen & Wouw, Saint-Martin and Ziel, Lady of Ekerdam and Waardenberg. | Emiliana II van Sticht – Abdijen, Koningin van Lentië, Groothertogin van Sticht, Koerland, Koeterland en Westrijk, Hertogin van Akringen, Marken, Sternië en Wel, Barones van het Grensland, Sint Odemaars, de Waddenzee en Azen, Gravin van Mistland, Markiezin van Blaansneek, Blaauwenburg, Nadrauwen & Wouw, Sint-Martin en Ziel, Vrouwe van Ekerdam en Waardenberg. |
The siblings of the current monarchs are bestowed titles as well. These titles are shown below, with the current holder next to them. Spouses of the monarch's sibling receive the same title upon marriage respective to their gender.
Ingerish: | Lentian: | Current holder: |
Duke/Duchess of Leeuwen and Vrijten | Hertog/Hertogin van Leeuwen en Vrijten | Prince Willem (1st sibling of Queen Emiliana II) |
Duke/Duchess of Zilverbergen | Hertog/Hertogin van Zilverbergen | Princess Johanna (2nd sibling of Queen Emiliana II) |
Duke/Duchess of Whysel | Hertog/Hertogin van Wijzel | Prince Joost (3rd sibling of Queen Emiliana II) |
Duke/Duchess of Wetten | Hertog/Hertogin van Wetten | None |
Duke/Duchess of Spergauwen | Hertog/Hertogin van Spergauwen | None |
The children of the monarch have the title Prince/Princess of Sticht – Abdijen (Prins/Prinses van Sticht – Abdijen), with the oldest child being the Crown Prince/Princess of Sticht – Abdijen (Kroonprins/Kroonprinses van Sticht - Abdijen). Spouses of the monarch's children have the title Prince/Princess Consort (Prins-Gemaal/Prinses-Gemaal), or if the heir apparent marries, the spouse's title is Heir Consort (Erfgenaam-Gemaal).
Legal system and justice
Military
Foreign relations
Lentia sees international trade and cooperation as key factors for economic development and improving living standards. This view has led Lentia to be key members or founders of several international organisations. These include the Assembly of Nations in 1966, as well as a union of the Lentian/Lentian dialect speaking countries of Atreisia, Lentia, Sonnenburg and Utterland known as the Hetzer Union (Hetzerunie) in XXXX.
To achieve good relations with other countries, Lentia has opened embassies in several countries to help Lentian citizens abroad and ease communications with other countries.
Economy
service-based industry. patches of industry in sternem & koelm, harbours of ridderburg, komsburg & kirchenburg. primary sector in mountainous areas. important trade partners are the hetzer union, kalm, ingrea, valony, ventria, tircambry, fsa, plevia
Demographics
Largest cities
Lentia is home to more than 22 million inhabitants, the majority of which live in cities. Many of these cities are clustered and constitute parts of metropolitan areas. The main metropolitan areas are found in the north, east and southwest of the country, on relatively flat but fertile plains fed by rivers flowing from Lentia's central mountains. The national capital and largest city is Kirchenburg (colloquial Lentian: Kerkenburg), with about XXX inhabitants, and is the centre of the larger Aas - Drent Estuary metropolitan area. Other large metropolitan areas include the Eker - Graft Delta (Ekerdam, Darensveld, Wevermarkt) and Central Koerland (Komsburg, Markenberg, Wouw). In the west, the industrial cities of Koelm and Sternem are centres of their own metropolitan areas.
Rank | City | Province | Population (municipality) | Metropolitan area (?) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kirchenburg | Wel | 1,000,000+ | Aas - Drent Estuary |
2 | Sternem | Sternië | 965,714 | Greater Sternem |
3 | Ekerdam | Akringen | 831,772 | Eker - Graft Delta |
4 | Koelm | Ermgauw | 808,440 | Greater Koelm |
5 | Komsburg | Marken | 708,388 | Central Koerland |
6 | Parelbosch | Plattenbergen | 461,492 | Aas - Drent Estuary |
7 | Nadrauwen | Marken | 385,301 | Central Koerland |
8 | Ramond | Erfland | 361,141 | Ramond |
9 | Wevermarkt | Akringen | 339,234 | Eker - Graft Delta |
10 | Darensveld | Akringen | 330,481 | Eker - Graft Delta |
Ethnic groups
Languages
Religion
Education and health
Culture
Arts and sports
Science and technology
Music
Notes and references
- ↑ Jackson, D.J. & Merchiston, E. (1920). Exonyms, Endonyms and Etymology: the Peoples of West Uletha. Wendon City Press, Wendon.
- ↑ Zarius, Q.S. (~296 CE). De Bellis Hetseris.
- ↑ Erkens, F.J., Straalman, A. & van der Woude, G.M. (1845). Over de Lentische Opstand. Tweede Uitgeverij, Ekerdam.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Aarden, S., Jorissen, F.F., Ploeg, O.M. & van Zuylenburg, C.J.M. (1973). Lentië, een geschiedkundig overzicht. Nukild Uitgevers, Komsburg.
- ↑ van Koerland, G., van Koeterland, jr., A., van Westrijk, R. J., van Sticht, G. C., & the Emperor (1667). Over het Verdrag van Lichtenbosch: de Oprichting van een Onafhankelijke Lentische Staat en daarmee de Beëindiging van de Veertigjarige Oorlog.
- ↑ van Sticht-Abdijen, F.G.K. (1830). Parlementwet
- ↑ Lentische Senaat (1841). Wetsvoorstel 1841-20: Over het Ver'drag van Halmyde, de Sluiting van een Bondgenootschap met het Koninkrijk Atreisië.
- ↑ Lentische Senaat (1894). Wetsvoorstel 1894-57: Over de Instelling van Actief en Passief Kiesrecht voor Alle Geschikte Inwoners van Lentië.
- ↑ Schoenmaker - Roden, I.W. (2018). Geografie, geologie en klimaat: Lentië in een notendop. Nukild Uitgeverij, Komsburg.
- ↑ Wertman, T.A. & van Aasveld, P. (1965). Een overzicht van Lentische politiek. Nukild Uitgevers, Komsburg.
- ↑ Politicologenunie van Lentië (2004). Gewestelijk bestuur. Westrijkse Uitgeverij, Koelm.
- ↑ Emiliana II crowned as Queen of Lentia, in The International Lentian Journal (1997, 27 April).
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Wit, R.E. (2010). Geschiedenis van het Huis Sticht - Abdijen. Koninklijke Groenberg Uitgevers, Kirchenburg