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Greetings, everyone, welcome to my fourth AAR (and my third CK2 AAR). As the title suggests, this AAR is about the rise of the British Empire. What will happen in this AAR? British Empire shenanigans, including a world conquest, new religion, parliaments, trade, 'recruitment'. But there will also be general shenanigans from my other AARs, such as: Magic, Chaos, References, and making its debut in the StrategyGameEnthusiast Cinematic Universe (SGECU); Time Travel.
The Mod List: (Mostly Same As Before):
99 Problems and an artfacit ain't one
9999 Early Start
ATB: All the Bloodlines
Add New Holding Slot (No Tech)
Bunch of Bloodlines
Choose your character+
Co-Emperors and Symbasileuses for Byzantine Emperors
Controlled Inheritance
Council Power Faction Removed
Easier Sainthood and Veneration (with Temporal Fix)
Easy Map Painter
Every bloodline has all inheritance
Expanded Decisions: Refuse Nomination
Extra Bloodlines
Forge Unlimited Bloodlines + Bloodline fix
Good Tooltip Ultimate
Historical Events Pack
Historical Bloodlines have all inheritance
Imperial Elective Away!
Increased Wives and Concubines
Just Another Cheating Mod
Less Random Deadly Duels
MTA - Debug Decisions
MTA - Specific Punishments
MTA - Vice and Virtue
Mediocre Characters (and Religion Mechanics)
Mediocre Overhaul
Mediocre Titles
More Doctrines With Reformation - 9
Nomination Succession Law
Perfect Siege Kidnap
Present Bachelor
Purchase Claims
Ruler Designer Unlocked
Shiny New Faith
Sketchy Cheat Menu
Tome of the Forgotten Masons TOC (+Tome of Creation and More)
Touch of Fate Cheat God Mod
Trait Softcap Exterminated
And New for the First Time: Take All Occupied Land
The first update will come in a couple of hours (it will be a prologue). The first piece of gameplay will arrive tomorrow. Characters will be introduced as they enter.
September 2nd 2024:
Dear Diary:
Today was the first day back at school. It was awful. Mr. Starmer gave me detention for talking up in class. Who does he think he is? I'm a Sovereign Citizen and he's some lowly school teacher. I much preferred Mr. Sunak, because he didn't know what he was doing. I demanded to see Principal Windsor, but the useless teacher said he was busy. I'll have to transfer to School Americana instead, they could be getting a new Principal who just wants to play golf. I twiddled my thumbs in detention as I saw Mr. Farage get some students together to go on strike. The strikers were angry because Mr. Robinson, the Home-School Liaison Officer, was sending mean messages and was getting in trouble with Mr. Starmer and Principal Windsor as a result. I joined the strike. After 5 minutes, I got lost in the woods where Mr. Robinson was holding a virtual rally (to allow everyone to join the strike, not just those in the area). School Americana's HSLO, Mr. Musk, sent a message of support to the strike. I saw a giant tree that said "Do not enter unless you want to die". Was there something in the water, because trees don't talk? Despite the warning, I entered the tree. When I opened my eyes on the other side, the place looked like garbage. There were animals everywhere, cows, rats, horses to name a few.
January 1st 769:
"Where am I?" I said. A voice called out "Greetings, your Imperial Majesty". I asked "My Imperial What?". "You are Henry Worthington, are you not?" "Yes, I am". "Well, it says here that you are the First Emperor of the British Empire." "That's not possible, I'm only 16." "But you are the Emperor." The mysterious figure shows me a portrait of myself wearing Imperial regalia and outfits. "I look good." The figure finally reveals his identity; "My name is Ben, and I am a wizard." Ben conjured a crown using his wand and placed it on my head. He shouted "Long live the Emperor." Ben took me to my castle, which was actually a wooden shed. I say to Ben "I recognise this shed". Although it looks tiny on the outside, Ben explains that magic can be used to make extra space on the inside. On his home planet, this magic is used to help house the 100,000,000,000,000+ population while also preserving wildlife. The shed has enough space for a couple of hundred people as a result. I say, "So, when am I going to start touring my Empire?" "About that, you currently only rule the Duchy of Essex." So, I'm going to have to conquer the Empire, this wizard is useless. Ben introduced me to his allies, who also live in the shed; Jeff Richperson and Fred the Unreliable. If my history lessons are correct, I'm going to have to spread the Church of England to the Catholic people. I went to sleep and would begin the foundation of my Empire tomorrow.
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter I: The Set-Up
Upon Henry's accession, Essex changed its name to Bedford. Meaning that Henry was Duke of Bedford instead of King of Essex. He moved the capital of Bedford to Middlesex, as the shed was located in Winchester. The Duke constructed some fortifications in Winchester using a small loan of 30,000 gold coins from Jeff Richperson. Henry went to his chaplain, Theobald of St Pauls, and said "I wish for you to convert the people of Middlesex to the Church of England." Theobald agreed and set to work. After the fortifications were finished in Winchester, Henry ordered for some space to be cleared in the shed for a Parliament. This was finished in time for the first ever parliamentary election in history.
The 770 General Election (January 1st 770):
Constituencies: (7 in total)
County of Middlesex: Westminster, London, St Pauls, Tottenham
County of Essex: Colchester, Maldon, Waltham
Elected MPs: Name (Constituencies) (Culture, Religion)
Duke Henry Worthington (Westminster + Colchester) (English, Church of England)
Mayor Swithraed (London) (Anglo-Saxon, Catholic)
Bishop Wigheah (St Pauls) (Anglo-Saxon, Catholic)
Baron Eastmund of Tottenham (Tottenham) (Anglo-Saxon, Catholic)
Mayor Leofheah (Maldon) (Anglo-Saxon, Catholic)
Bishop Cynewulf (Waltham) (Anglo-Saxon, Catholic)
The first 6 MPs representing the 7 constituencies gathered in the shed in Westminster to convene the First Parliament. They agreed some ground rules for the new organisation.
The Constitution of the Duchy of Bedford (and later Kingdom of England, and British Empire):
The Duchy has a Parliament.
Each Barony will elect an MP to the Parliament.
The Parliament will convene once a year.
Elections will be called every ten years, by-elections will be triggered to fill an empty seat until the next General Election.
A Special General Election will be called after the death of the ruler, as territories get handed out to his heirs (It doesn't affect the natural cycle (for example, if Henry were to die in 779, there would be a Special Election in 779, but the General Election would still happen in 780 as normal)
All decisions are taken by Parliamentary Consensus, with a simple majority (4 out of 7) needed for External Decisions (such as war declarations) and a supermajority (5 out of 7) required for Internal Decisions (such as a Constitutional Amendment).
Each constituency has one vote.
MPs may represent more than one constituency, in which case they have as many votes as constituencies they represent.
During a war, if approved by Parliament, the Duke may rule by decree.
English is the official language of the Duchy, although Anglo-Saxon is an accepted secondary language.
The Church of England is the official religion of the Duchy, although Catholics enjoy equal rights with Anglicans.
Parliament has access to the Royal Treasury for use of realm improvements, but rulers may improve their holdings by their own volition.
The Constitution sets out 9 classes within the Duchy (in order of hierarchy) -the Executive (the Duke (and his immediate family)), the Parliament, the Nobility, the Judiciary (the Courts), the Military, the Clergy, the Burghers, the Peasantry and the Serfs.
The Executive retains the right to appoint justices and officers of the military unless a supermajority of MPs veto the decision.
The Executive Seal may be granted to societies, businesses and other organisations upon the approval of a supermajority of MPs AND the Executive
All MPs must take an oath of loyalty to the Executive or be banned from the decision-making process (an absentee MP always votes with the Executive)
Constitutional Amendments may establish lesser Parliaments which answer to Westminster if the Executive and a supermajority of MPs agree that the shed is cluttered. (Each Parliament must be established by a separate Amendment)
The Judiciary and the Military are equal in authority to the Parliament (although of lesser class), and should be free from interference from each other.
The Cabinet exists as follows: To allow the Duke to convey his feelings to Parliament when he is absent, or when Parliament is not convened.
The following roles exist on the Cabinet: Chancellor, Marshal, Steward, Spymaster, Chaplain.
The Cabinet can be made up of MPs and non-MPs (it is directly appointed by the Executive).
After all 6 MPs ratified the Constitution, Henry appointed his first Cabinet.
Chancellor: Mayor Leofheah (MP for Maldon)
Marshal: Bishop Wigheah (MP for St Pauls)
Steward: Bishop Cynewulf (MP for Waltham)
Spymaster: Baron Eastmund of Tottenham (1st Baron of Tottenham and MP for Tottenham)
Chaplain: Theobald of St Pauls (not an MP, an English Anglican courtier of Duke Henry).
After the Parliament went away, Henry took a concubine named Cristina and impregnated her. Would a future ruler be born?....
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter II: The Build-Up
Hear ye, hear ye. The Duke and his twelve concubines have had 12 children, 10 sons and 2 daughters. Their names are Henry, Paul, Peter, Geoffrey, Lionel, Arnold, Juliana, Matthew, Reginald, Hawise, Simon and Fulk. Chancellor Mayor Leofheah, MP for Maldon, was in Surrey attempting to fabricate a claim for Duke Henry when the First Parliament was convened for the third time on January 1st 772.
At this convention, the First Amendment to the Constitution was brought up by Henry. This Amendment would allow for the declaration of Holy Wars. As Bedford was the only Anglican state in the world, this would allow the Executive and Parliament to declare war on any neighbouring nation.
The Vote on the First Amendment went as follows: (with explanations of their stances)
Mayor Swithraed: As the only backbencher of the Parliament, Mayor Swithraed votes against the Amendment.
Mayor Leofheah: As a loyalist, The Chancellor votes aye.
Bishop Wigheah: As a loyalist, The Marshal votes aye.
Bishop Cynewulf: As a Catholic Zealot, The Steward votes nay.
Baron Eastmund: As a loyalist, The Spymaster votes aye.
Duke Henry: As the Executive, he votes aye with his proposal. (He has 2 votes)
With 5 votes aye to 2 votes nay, the First Amendment to the Constitution is passed by supermajority.
The First Amendment is inserted below the previous terms of the Constitution as it doesn't contradict previous provisions
The Duchy has a Parliament.
Each Barony will elect an MP to the Parliament.
The Parliament will convene once a year.
Elections will be called every ten years, by-elections will be triggered to fill an empty seat until the next General Election.
A Special General Election will be called after the death of the ruler, as territories get handed out to his heirs (It doesn't affect the natural cycle (for example, if Henry were to die in 779, there would be a Special Election in 779, but the General Election would still happen in 780 as normal)
All decisions are taken by Parliamentary Consensus, with a simple majority (4 out of 7) needed for External Decisions (such as war declarations) and a supermajority (5 out of 7) required for Internal Decisions (such as a Constitutional Amendment).
Each constituency has one vote.
MPs may represent more than one constituency, in which case they have as many votes as constituencies they represent.
During a war, if approved by Parliament, the Duke may rule by decree.
English is the official language of the Duchy, although Anglo-Saxon is an accepted secondary language.
The Church of England is the official religion of the Duchy, although Catholics enjoy equal rights with Anglicans.
Parliament has access to the Royal Treasury for use of realm improvements, but rulers may improve their holdings by their own volition.
The Constitution sets out 9 classes within the Duchy (in order of hierarchy) -the Executive (the Duke (and his immediate family)), the Parliament, the Nobility, the Judiciary (the Courts), the Military, the Clergy, the Burghers, the Peasantry and the Serfs.
The Executive retains the right to appoint justices and officers of the military unless a supermajority of MPs veto the decision.
The Executive Seal may be granted to societies, businesses and other organisations upon the approval of a supermajority of MPs AND the Executive
All MPs must take an oath of loyalty to the Executive or be banned from the decision-making process (an absentee MP always votes with the Executive)
Constitutional Amendments may establish lesser Parliaments which answer to Westminster if the Executive and a supermajority of MPs agree that the shed is cluttered. (Each Parliament must be established by a separate Amendment)
The Judiciary and the Military are equal in authority to the Parliament (although of lesser class), and should be free from interference from each other.
The Cabinet exists as follows: To allow the Duke to convey his feelings to Parliament when he is absent, or when Parliament is not convened.
The following roles exist on the Cabinet: Chancellor, Marshal, Steward, Spymaster, Chaplain.
The Cabinet can be made up of MPs and non-MPs (it is directly appointed by the Executive).
The nation may declare Holy Wars if the Parliament and Executive agree by simple majority. (First Amendment, 772)
The Parliament leaves, with an agreement for Holy Wars within England. All 7 votes will automatically be aye in favour of war declarations against the other rulers in England. Henry began by declaring war on Surrey in February 772. During the war, Marshal Bishop Wigheah resigned due to converting to Anglicanism, he was replaced in a by-election as an MP by Gerald (English, Anglican) and as Marshal by Saelred Offing (Anglo-Saxon, Catholic), a courtier whose family used to rule Bedford before Henry took over. Saelred had been a commander, so Henry used his position as Executive to nominate Sigeraed (Anglo-Saxon, Catholic), which was not vetoed by Parliament. Chaplain Theobald started hunting for an artifact. The many Catholic lords of the British Isles offered to protect Surrey from Bedford, 20,000 Anglican warriors appeared to support the Duke.
The Battle of Surrey led to the defeat of the Earl of Surrey, Brorda Godhelming. None of his allies came to his aide, scared off by the Anglican warriors.
In June, Theobald died in an accident while hunting for an artifact, he was replaced as Chaplain by Bishop Gerald, MP for St Pauls. Henry was confused as to why Theobald's autopsy came back the way it did, as according to it, Theobald was killed by a man-eating tiger.
In December, the war with Surrey finished, and the county was annexed. It would not be able to elect MPs until the next General Election. However, unless deaths happened, Henry would gain a third constituency (Lambeth), and Bishop Lionel would gain Southwark while Mayor Adam would gain Woking. Henry began improving Lambeth, which he didn't need Parliamentary approval for as it was part of his demesne. The Anglican warriors remained, and helped convert the provinces slowly during peacetime.
In July 773, Bedford would invade the county of Sussex, ruled by Count Osmund Haesting. A major battle was fought in Sussex, leading to Bedford's victory. In September, the war ended with Henry victorious, he took the county. At the next General Election, he was on course to gain a fourth constituency (Arundel), while the other two new constituencies, Lewes and Chichester, would be gained by Mayor Guy and Bishop William respectively.
When the Parliament convened in 774, it was fraught by tension. The 6 MPs were split into two factions - The Duke's Party (Henry, Eastmund, Cynewulf, Leofheah and Gerald) and The Opposition Party (or Opps, for short) (Swithraed). Swithraed announced he would vote nay to any proposed Constitutional Amendment, meaning the Duke's Party would have to remain strong, and hope that the Opps didn't make gains in 780. These were to be the first two political parties in history.
Word reached Bedford from Wessex that former MP (and former Marshal) Wigheah had died in December 773. In May 774, Henry tortured a prisoner for his own pleasure. On Christmas Day, the Chancellor of Wessex, Earl Aethelwald of Wihtwara was assassinated on the orders of Henry, as the Earl was causing trouble in Bedford. This was not discovered by King Cynewulf of Wessex, who earned the nickname 'the Careless.'
When Parliament convened in 775, the Duke's Party quickly passed the Second Amendment to the Constitution, which was a proposal to institute an official succession law in Bedford. Swithraed followed through with his threat to oppose every amendment. It still passed by 6 votes to 1.
The Second Amendment to the Constitution is inserted below the previous terms of the Constitution as it doesn't contradict previous provisions
The Duchy has a Parliament.
Each Barony will elect an MP to the Parliament.
The Parliament will convene once a year.
Elections will be called every ten years, by-elections will be triggered to fill an empty seat until the next General Election.
A Special General Election will be called after the death of the ruler, as territories get handed out to his heirs (It doesn't affect the natural cycle (for example, if Henry were to die in 779, there would be a Special Election in 779, but the General Election would still happen in 780 as normal)
All decisions are taken by Parliamentary Consensus, with a simple majority (4 out of 7) needed for External Decisions (such as war declarations) and a supermajority (5 out of 7) required for Internal Decisions (such as a Constitutional Amendment).
Each constituency has one vote.
MPs may represent more than one constituency, in which case they have as many votes as constituencies they represent.
During a war, if approved by Parliament, the Duke may rule by decree.
English is the official language of the Duchy, although Anglo-Saxon is an accepted secondary language.
The Church of England is the official religion of the Duchy, although Catholics enjoy equal rights with Anglicans.
Parliament has access to the Royal Treasury for use of realm improvements, but rulers may improve their holdings by their own volition.
The Constitution sets out 9 classes within the Duchy (in order of hierarchy) -the Executive (the Duke (and his immediate family)), the Parliament, the Nobility, the Judiciary (the Courts), the Military, the Clergy, the Burghers, the Peasantry and the Serfs.
The Executive retains the right to appoint justices and officers of the military unless a supermajority of MPs veto the decision.
The Executive Seal may be granted to societies, businesses and other organisations upon the approval of a supermajority of MPs AND the Executive
All MPs must take an oath of loyalty to the Executive or be banned from the decision-making process (an absentee MP always votes with the Executive)
Constitutional Amendments may establish lesser Parliaments which answer to Westminster if the Executive and a supermajority of MPs agree that the shed is cluttered. (Each Parliament must be established by a separate Amendment)
The Judiciary and the Military are equal in authority to the Parliament (although of lesser class), and should be free from interference from each other.
The Cabinet exists as follows: To allow the Duke to convey his feelings to Parliament when he is absent, or when Parliament is not convened.
The following roles exist on the Cabinet: Chancellor, Marshal, Steward, Spymaster, Chaplain.
The Cabinet can be made up of MPs and non-MPs (it is directly appointed by the Executive).
The nation may declare Holy Wars if the Parliament and Executive agree by simple majority. (First Amendment, 772)
The official succession law of the nation is House Seniority, however the ruler is obliged to leave land for his sons, orphaned grandsons and maternal grandsons. However, all of de jure Bedford is allowed to stay with the ruler. (Second Amendment, 775)
The Parliament leaves once more, and Henry began invading more neighbours. Kent was conquered within a week in January, creating three new constituencies; Dover (projected Henry), Rochester (projected Bishop Eustace) and Sandwich (projected Mayor Roger). In February, Wessex was invaded. On April Fools Day, Henry found a new concubine (and first lover) named Ela. Another 10,000 Anglican warriors appeared in May. In August, Henry stopped hearing voices in his head. On September 1st, 30,000 Anglican warriors appeared in Winchester to fight the Catholic coalition. The battle was one-sided, 30,000 against 11,000. It was obvious that Bedford's larger army won. Dunlaing Eoganacht-Raithlind, the elderly Irish commander of the coalition, was killed when he tripped on his own axe. Tarla, the heir of the Pictish King Ciniod, was captured after the battle, as was a Welsh count. On Christmas Day, King Cynewulf surrendered to Duke Henry, offering the lands of Wessex. With Wessex conquered the following constituencies were established; Winchester, Wareham, Carisbrooke (all Henry), Bonchurch (Bishop Mark), Southampton (Mayor Alan), St Swithun (Bishop Waleran), Dorchester (Mayor John) and Sherborne (Bishop Andrew).
In February 776, Mercia and East Anglia were invaded simultaneously, which would prevent the coalition from coalescing as strongly (as the AI will only join one). In June, the King of Hwicce was captured in a battle. Later that same month, Henry received news that Islam was in the midst of a Civil War, as a Shia Caliph rose up against the Sunni Caliph. In September, Mercia surrendered. The constituencies of Bedford, Northampton (both Henry), Crowland (Bishop Waleran), Cambridge (Mayor John), St Albans (Bishop Randolph) and Hertford (Mayor John) were established. In October, East Anglia was conquered, with the constituencies of Ipswich, Thetford (both Henry), Bury (Mayor Arthur), Ely (Bishop Peter), Lynn (Mayor Fulk) and Elmham (Bishop Alexander) established. In November, Cornwall was invaded. By the following March, Cornwall was defeated. The constituency of Canterbury was established in Kent after Mercia ceded it (it is projected to be won by Bishop Andrew). In Cornwall, the following constituencies were established; Lydford, Tintagel (both Henry), Axminster (Mayor Randolph), Exeter (Bishop Gerald), St Germans (Bishop Andrew) and Bodmin (Mayor Michael).
Later in 777, Lionel, the son of Duke Henry, asked for help finding his toy. His father was busy and offered to buy him a new one, but he was not having it. A Jewish exile named Nachshon of Lankaran, of Ashkenazi origin, arrived at Winchester. He moved into the shed and was considered as a potential Chancellor. Saelred requested an investment into military technology. The investment was granted and used to fund an armoured chariot, which wounded Saelred and killed the engineer.
When Parliament convened in 778, the Duke's Party passed the Third Amendment to the Constitution with only Swithraed's opposition. The same thing happened in 779 when the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution was passed. The Iconoclasts overtook the Orthodox majority in Byzantium, rendering the latter heretical.
The Third and Fourth Amendments to the Constitution are inserted below the previous terms of the Constitution as they don't contradict previous provisions.
The Duchy has a Parliament.
Each Barony will elect an MP to the Parliament.
The Parliament will convene once a year.
Elections will be called every ten years, by-elections will be triggered to fill an empty seat until the next General Election.
A Special General Election will be called after the death of the ruler, as territories get handed out to his heirs (It doesn't affect the natural cycle (for example, if Henry were to die in 779, there would be a Special Election in 779, but the General Election would still happen in 780 as normal)
All decisions are taken by Parliamentary Consensus, with a simple majority (4 out of 7) needed for External Decisions (such as war declarations) and a supermajority (5 out of 7) required for Internal Decisions (such as a Constitutional Amendment).
Each constituency has one vote.
MPs may represent more than one constituency, in which case they have as many votes as constituencies they represent.
During a war, if approved by Parliament, the Duke may rule by decree.
English is the official language of the Duchy, although Anglo-Saxon is an accepted secondary language.
The Church of England is the official religion of the Duchy, although Catholics enjoy equal rights with Anglicans.
Parliament has access to the Royal Treasury for use of realm improvements, but rulers may improve their holdings by their own volition.
The Constitution sets out 9 classes within the Duchy (in order of hierarchy) -the Executive (the Duke (and his immediate family)), the Parliament, the Nobility, the Judiciary (the Courts), the Military, the Clergy, the Burghers, the Peasantry and the Serfs.
The Executive retains the right to appoint justices and officers of the military unless a supermajority of MPs veto the decision.
The Executive Seal may be granted to societies, businesses and other organisations upon the approval of a supermajority of MPs AND the Executive
All MPs must take an oath of loyalty to the Executive or be banned from the decision-making process (an absentee MP always votes with the Executive)
Constitutional Amendments may establish lesser Parliaments which answer to Westminster if the Executive and a supermajority of MPs agree that the shed is cluttered. (Each Parliament must be established by a separate Amendment)
The Judiciary and the Military are equal in authority to the Parliament (although of lesser class), and should be free from interference from each other.
The Cabinet exists as follows: To allow the Duke to convey his feelings to Parliament when he is absent, or when Parliament is not convened.
The following roles exist on the Cabinet: Chancellor, Marshal, Steward, Spymaster, Chaplain.
The Cabinet can be made up of MPs and non-MPs (it is directly appointed by the Executive).
The nation may declare Holy Wars if the Parliament and Executive agree by simple majority. (First Amendment, 772)
The official succession law of the nation is House Seniority, however the ruler is obliged to leave land for his sons, orphaned grandsons and maternal grandsons. However, all of de jure Bedford is allowed to stay with the ruler. (Second Amendment, 775)
The Executive can seize titles at will, without the need for permission from Parliament, the Judiciary or the Military (Third Amendment, 778)
The Nation allows the institution of slavery, and all non-English, non-Anglicans may be enslaved (Fourth Amendment, 779)
The Parliament went away. This was the last meeting of the First Parliament, as the 2nd General Election was coming up. A massive number of new constituencies meant that the Political Make-up of Bedford had huge opportunities to change...
Events of note in the build up to the General Election:
May 779: Charlemagne destroys Irminsul.
June 779: Fulk makes the same request as Lionel, and the exact same result happens.
August 779: Duke Henry teaches Marshal Saelred to be an inspiring leader.
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter III: The 780 General Election and its Immediate Aftermath
The 780 General Election (January 1st 780)
Constituencies: (43 in total)
Duchy of Bedford (13): County of Middlesex (Westminster, London, St Pauls, Tottenham), County of Essex (Colchester, Maldon, Waltham), County of Bedford (Bedford, St Albans, Hertford), County of Northampton (Northampton, Crowland, Cambridge)
Norfolk (Unorganised) (6): County of Suffolk (Ipswich, Bury, Ely), County of Norfolk (Thetford, Lynn, Elmham)
Kent (Unorganised) (10): County of Surrey (Lambeth, Southwark, Woking), County of Sussex (Arundel, Lewes, Chichester), County of Kent (Dover, Rochester, Sandwich, Canterbury)
Wessex (De-facto unorganised, de jure ruled by King Cynewulf) (8): County of Winchester (Winchester, Bonchurch, Southampton), County of Wight (Wareham, St Swithun), County of Dorset (Carisbrooke, Dorchester, Sherborne)
Cornwall (Unorganised) (6): County of Devon (Lydford, Axminster, Exeter), County of Cornwall (Tintagel, St Germans, Bodmin)
All seats went as projected, meaning there was no surprises.
The 30 MPs of the Second Parliament:
Returning: Duke Henry Worthington (Westminster, Colchester), Mayor Swithraed (London), Bishop Gerald (St Pauls), Baron Eastmund of Tottenham (Tottenham), Mayor Leofheah (Maldon), Bishop Cynewulf (Waltham)
Elected: Duke Henry Worthington (Bedford, Northampton, Ipswich, Thetford, Lambeth, Arundel, Dover, Winchester, Wareham, Carisbrooke, Lydford, Tintagel), Bishop Lionel (Southwark), Mayor Adam (Woking), Mayor Guy (Lewes), Bishop William (Chichester), Bishop Eustace (Rochester), Mayor Roger (Sandwich), Bishop Andrew (Canterbury), Bishop Mark (Bonchurch), Mayor Alan (Southampton), Bishop Waleran (St Swithun), Mayor John (Dorchester), Bishop Andrew (Sherborne), Bishop Waleran (Crowland), Mayor John (Cambridge), Bishop Randolph (St Albans), Mayor John (Hertford), Mayor Arthur (Bury), Bishop Peter (Ely), Mayor Fulk (Lynn), Bishop Alexander (Elmham), Mayor Randolph (Axminster), Bishop Gerald (Exeter), Bishop Andrew (St Germans), Mayor Michael (Bodmin)
There was a political shake up as the few Anglo-Saxon Catholics in Cabinet (Steward Bishop Cynewulf, Marshal Saelred Offing, Chancellor Mayor Leofheah, Spymaster Baron Eastmund of Tottenham) were fired and replaced with English Anglicans. The fired MPs (Cynewulf, Leofheah and Eastmund) joined forces with Swithraed to transform the Opposition Party into the Catholic Party. The other 26 MPs (including Duke Henry) galvanised the Duke's Party.
Political Make-Up (22 Constituencies needed for a Majority)
Duke's Party: 39 (26 MPs)
Catholic Party: 4 (4 MPs)
Henry decided to deliberate on forming a new Cabinet though, as he felt that it was not necessary for a couple of days. A Constitutional Amendment would be brought up with it, which would deal with the need for a more influential, national court over the regional, politically irrelevant courts that currently existed...
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter IV: The Second Parliament Pre-Coronation
Henry chose his new Cabinet;
Chancellor Ecgfrith (an Anglo-Saxon, Anglican commander)
Marshal Mayor Jordan (MP for Hertford)
Steward Bishop Andrew (MP for Sherborne)
Spymaster Mayor Randolph (MP for Axminster)
Chaplain Bishop Gerald (MP for St Pauls (the only retained member of the previous Cabinet))
The Duke's Party easily passed the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, with only the 4 Catholic Party MPs opposing the Amendment. This amendment established the Supreme Court of Bedford, and contained provisions as to how many Justices the Court may have (a maximum of 10), the lifetime term of the Justices and the functions of the Court.
With the way the Amendment was worded, there could only be 5 Justices on the original Supreme Court (because only one judge per circuit was permitted and each duchy was a circuit at the moment). The four circuits of Bedford, Kent, Winchester and Cornwall selected Aron Adam, Adolph Adrian, Aidan Allen and Alban Aldous respectively. However, Norfolk couldn't select a Justice, so Bishop Alexander, MP for Elmham, requested to be selected in return for supporting Bishop Andrew's position as Steward. This request was granted. At 41, Alexander was the eldest Justice so he was granted the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court was to meet whenever the Duke requested them to meet.
Parliament granted Henry permission to invade Northumbria in a Holy War for Mercia. In May, a battle took place in Winchester. Mayor Swithraed killed an enemy commander named Idual and the King of Pictland, Ciniod II, was captured. The King of Northumbria died shortly after the battle, and was succeeded by his son. In October, Ela, a concubine of Henry, gave birth to a son named Godfrey, the Duke's 11th son. From January to February 781, Henry led his troops in the Battle of Wareham, which led to the decisive defeat of the coalition. Lincoln, Oxford and Wiltshire were occupied and thus conquered by Henry. The constituencies of Gainsborough, Reading, Buckingham, Wilton (all Henry), Boston (Mayor Henry), Lincoln (Bishop Simon), Abingdon (Bishop Henry), Oxford (Mayor Christopher), Sarum (Mayor Waleran) and Ramsbury (Bishop Gilbert) were established. In March, Henry invaded Hwicce. Osmund, the former ruler of Sussex, gained notoriety for turning down honourable duels. Henry shamed him for it. In April, the Battle of Sarum led to the death of all 200 soldiers in the army serving Eardwulf, the child King of Hwicce. In August, Eardwulf surrendered and Gloucester was annexed. The following constituencies were established; Gloucester (Henry), Cirencester (Mayor Jordan) and Winchcombe (Bishop Walter). The circuit of Gloucester was established, leading to a new Justice, Alexander Alexis, being appointed to the Supreme Court. Mayor John, MP for Cambridge, died in September and was replaced in a by-election by Aethelbald.
Truces were in the way in England, so Henry began an expedition to the continent in January 782. He invaded Leon (the one in Brittany). 4000 ships appeared to transport the Anglican warriors to Europe. Henry got a black eye during the battle on the beach. Morvan, the count of Leon, was seen as an agent of Satan due to his habit of speaking in tongues, so nobody came to his assistance. In April, Leon was conquered. The constituencies of St Pol de Leon (Henry) and Brest (Mayor Guentanet) were established. After this, the remaining lords of Brittany were attacked simultaneously. In May, Henry tortured a Khotan woman who was married to a grandson of the last King of Cornwall. All three wars ended in July. The constituencies of Quimper, Corlay, Vannes, Guingamp, Monkontour (all Henry), Quimperle (Mayor Arthur), Landevennec (Bishop Theobald), Carhaix (Mayor Jocelyn), Locmine (Bishop Alfred), Hennebont (Mayor Maurice), Treguier (Bishop Eric), Paimpol (Bishop Richard) and St Brieuc (Mayor Godfrey) were established. Henry returned to Westminster as pestilence riddled Brittany.
Henry's two daughters, Juliana and Hawise, turned 12 and were betrothed to two dashing young courtiers, named Gerald Tall and Laurence Fortune respectively. In November, King Cynewulf 'the Careless' was killed in an ambush by 'highwaymen'. Henry immediately invaded the Kingdom of Wessex to conquer Somerset. Chaplain Bishop Gerald, MP for St Pauls, accused Henry's concubine Hawise of being a devil worshipper. The Duke had his concubine burnt at the stake. A Saxon pagan named Arnold mysteriously showed up uninvited. The war ended in February 783. The constituencies of Bath, Taunton (both Henry), Wells (Bishop Arnold), Burnham (Mayor Paul), Ilchester (Mayor Geoffrey) and Glastonbury (Bishop Stephen) were established. With this, Henry declared himself Duke of Winchester and King of England. Now there was only one thing to do....
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter V: The Coronation of King Henry I Worthington
March 1st 783:
"You are invited to the coronation of His Majesty King Henry I of England. Please bring gifts. You will be ejected if you do not bring gifts. The gifts must be acceptable to His Majesty. Unacceptable gifts will still lead to ejection."
Henry read the invitation he had written, which was to be copied and sent to every independent European ruler. Ben tried to warn him that asking people to attend a coronation the day after the invitation was written was a bad idea, but the King wasn't going to listen to the wizard. A herald sent the invitations.
March 2nd:
No ruler was able to make it in time for the coronation, not that the former members of the coalition were going to attend anyway and the Pagans would probably be confused as to why they were being invited to a coronation of a Christian King. Henry screamed "I want my gifts, give me my gifts, I'll kill anyone who doesn't give me gifts."
Henry, his family, the Cabinet, the Parliament, the Supreme Court Justices and the Commanders gathered in the shed for the main event. Chaplain Bishop Gerald placed the Crown of England on Henry's head, officially making him the Supreme Ruler of England. Henry shouted "Now that I am King, you must all bow to me and swear that you will always do as I say."
Everyone but the Catholic Party MPs bowed and swore to do as Henry told them. The 4 Catholics instead declared Eastmund of Tottenham, 1st Baron Tottenham, as the Guardian of the Anglo-Saxons. They decided to offer the throne to Offa, the King of Mercia, or to the King of Northumbria if Offa refused. However, it would take time for the offer to reach the two Anglo-Saxon Kings.
Meanwhile, as the Catholic MPs decided to go into hiding for their own safety, Henry appointed two new Commanders, his two sons-in-law-to-be, Gerald Tall and Laurence Fortune. The coronation officially ended, and Henry began formulating the plan for Imperial conquest....
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter VI: The Remainder of the Second Parliament
Just two weeks after the coronation, Mayor Swithraed, MP for London and the founder of the Catholic Party, died aged 51. He was succeeded in a by-election by Mayor Waleran (English, Anglican). A Saxon infant named Luitgard arrived in Westminster and moved into the shed. Middlesex started to prosper. In June, Henry decided to have Offa assassinated, interpreting the Mercian King's silence as an acceptance of the offer made to him by the Catholic MPs. In December, Bishop Randolph, MP for St Albans, died aged 35 after a period of poor health. He was replaced by Bishop Reginald in a by-election.
On January 23rd 784, Offa survived an assassination attempt. He was riding in a carriage when the driver, who had been bribed by Henry and Offa's Jewish physician Ravi of Grobin, intentionally crashed into a ravine. Offa jumped out, but as the driver died, Henry's involvement was not known. Chancellor Ecgfrith died in February, aged 44, after a period of poor health, he was succeeded by fellow commander Gerald Tall as Chancellor. In April, a Dominican monk named Oswald hired a carpenter to saw through the supports of Offa's favourite balcony. On May 8th 784, Offa fell to his death during his monthly use of the balcony. Oswald disappeared, and Henry's involvement was not going to be discovered.
Henry immediately declared war on Offa's son and successor Ecgfrith. A few days after the war started, Henry noticed the full moon. He felt it speak to him and he began howling at it. He ran around the hills howling at the moon all night. The following morning, Henry ached when he tried to use his muscles and noticed his voice was hoarse when he tried to speak. In more serious events, Henry led his troops into battle against Ecgfrith, who led the Mercian army. Ecgfrith struggled in his late father's armour and fell to the ground. As Ecgfrith groaned on the ground, Henry boomed "Beg, beg for mercy." When Ecgfrith wouldn't beg, Henry cut his head off with his sword. Ecgfrith's one year old son Beorhtsige became the new King, although his Nubian mother Theophilia was the one in real control. Mayor Leofheah, MP for Maldon, died in bed aged 52, shortly after the battle ended. He was replaced by Mayor Henry in a by-election. The Catholic Party was now reduced to just 2 MPs (Baron Tottenham and Bishop Cynewulf). In August, Mayor Waleran of London died and was replaced by Mayor Albert. A young Saxon boy named Hartwig expressed interest in English and Anglican customs, but Henry decided that he should follow his own customs. In November, the war ended with English victory. The constituencies of Leicester, Tamworth, Warwick and Evesham (all Henry), Newstead (Bishop Roger), Nottingham (Mayor Eustace), Stafford (Mayor Albert), Lichfield (Bishop Martin), Droitwich (Mayor Aubrey) and Worcester (Bishop Randolph) were established.
In November, Henry began the Welsh campaign. He first invaded Gwent. This war finished in February 785. The constituencies of Caerwent (Henry), Monmouth (Bishop Gerald) and Newport (Mayor Anselm) were established. The second invasion target was Glywysing. The King surrendered in June, and the constituencies of Cardiff (Henry) and Llandaff (Bishop Edward) were established. Hartwig asked to become a Christian. Henry let him. The Count of Brycheiniog, the Count of Dyfed and the King of Seisyllwg were simultaneously attacked by King Henry in November. Brychieniog surrendered in February 786. The constituencies of Brecon (Henry), Talgarth (Mayor Mark) and Merthyr Tydfil (Bishop Audrey) were established. In early March, Seisyllwg surrendered. The constituencies of Dinefwr, Cardigan (both Henry), Llandeilo (Bishop Laurence), Carmarthen (Mayor Anselm) and Llandbadarn (Bishop Simon) were established. Dyfed surrendered in April. The constituencies of Pembroke (Henry) and St Davids (Bishop Anselm) were established.
In July, Beornnoth, a deposed Mercian lord, requested permission to visit Tang China on a mission to improve relations. This strange request was granted, and Beornnoth set off for China. In October, Henry's eldest 12 children came of age, Hawise and Juliana married their betrotheds, while bridal shows were organised for the 10 princes. Prince Henry married Catherine of Lynn, Prince Paul married Aveline of Locmine, Prince Peter married Hawise of Crowland, Prince Geoffrey married Joanna of Crowland, Prince Lionel married Mahaut of Carhaix, Prince Arnold married Emma of Dorchester, Prince Reginald married Hawise of Worcester, Prince Matthew married Isabel of Talgarth, Prince Simon married Edith of St Pauls and Prince Fulk married Edith of Hertford.
On January 1st 787, the King's Party passed the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution and the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution in quick succession. The Sixth Amendment changed the succession requirements, meaning that Worthingtons were required to stay in the shed at Westminster at all times if they wanted to succeed to the throne. This meant that any prince who wished to take land would form a cadet branch and disqualify himself and his descendants from succession. The Seventh Amendment expanded the 'recruitment' process. It gave some civil rights to 'recruits', including freedom of culture and religion, but forced 'unrecruited' minorities to pay a Protection Tax to the state.
The Welsh campaign resumed in the new year. Gwynedd was attacked first. Beornnoth returned in March, muttering about the unintelligible Chinese language and poor weather. He shut himself away from the world. The war ended in June. The constituencies of Anglesey, Degannwy, Rhuddlan (all Henry), Llanfaes (Bishop Theobald), Holyhead (Mayor Humphrey), Bangor Fawr (Bishop Andrew), Caernarfon (Mayor Michael), Denbigh (Mayor Edmund) and Llanelwy (Bishop William) were established. Powys was attacked next. During the war, Henry's eldest 12 children had their first children. Henry had another moment where he started howling at the moon. This time he killed a cow. Mayor Paul, MP for Burnham, died aged 39 from poor health. He was replaced by Mayor John. The war ended in December. The constituencies of Wenlock, Mathrafal (both Henry), Llangollen (Bishop Walter) and Radnor (Mayor Peter) were established. Builth was the final attack of this stage. The invasion succeeded in March. The constituencies of Builth (Henry) and Llanafan Fawr (Bishop Theobald) were established.
Truces meant that the next campaign had to be in Ireland. Henry invaded Laigin and Osraige. The second set of children were born to the first 12 children of Henry. Laigin fell first. The constituency of Ferns (Bishop William) was established. The moon spoke to Henry again, and he slept outside in the rain. Osraige fell. The constituency of Clonmacnoise (Bishop Simon) was established. Urmhumhain, Leix and Dubhlinn were invaded. The King of Northumbria was deposed, meaning the campaign in England could resume once the invasions in Ireland were over. Urmhumhain fell first. The constituency of Cashel (Bishop Anselm) was established. Then Dubhlinn fell. The constituency of Mellifont (Bishop Lionel) was established. Henry's escapades had led to him contracting gout. Bishop Cynewulf, the Catholic Party MP for Waltham, beatified a dead Irish chieftain. The third set of grandchildren were born. Finally, Leix fell in January 789. The constituency of Loigis (Bishop Eric) was established.
At the request of his heir, Prince Henry, King Henry and the King's Party passed the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, which reformed the Parliament. It meant that anyone in a constituency could run for office, except for the rulers of the constituency. Reforms were also made to formalise political parties. Going into the 790 General Election, 5 parties were going to contest, the King's Party, the Mercantile Party, the Military Party, the Catholic Party and the Celtic Alliance (Irish, Welsh and Bretons). Henry decided against further expansion, deciding to wait upon the outcome of the General Election...
Events up until the General Election:
April: Mayor Geoffrey of Ilchester, MP for Ilchester, died. His seat in Parliament was to remain vacant until after the General Election, as the Eighth Amendment stated that a by-election couldn't take place when there is less than a year until the General Election.
May: Mayor Jordan of Cirencester, MP for Cirencester, died of a fever.
July: As a pandemic of Typhus plagued the Kingdom, Henry made the decision to isolate the court in the shed in Westminster.
August: There was already a food shortage.
October: The fourth set of grandchildren were born.
November: Henry ate a concubine.
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter VII: The 790 General Election
The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, passed the previous year, meant that the Third General Election was going to be very different to the first two. All current MPs, including the King, were forced to retire as they joined a new institution called the House of Lords. The now 123 constituencies were going to elect new MPs from amongst themselves.
The 790 General Election: (62 MPs for a majority)
Party
Leader
Number of MPs
Outcome
King's Party
Sir Roger Aster (English, Anglican, 50, Westminster)
96
Form Government
Catholic Party
Father Aethelwulf Ossing (Anglo-Saxon, Catholic, 43, Crowland)
The new office of Prime Minister is established for the Leader of the House of Commons. Sir Roger Aster, MP for Westminster becomes 1st Prime Minister. Celtic Alliance leader Hoel de Leon becomes Leader of the Opposition.
In the House of Lords, a system called the Electoral College will be used to choose the President of the House of Lords (the King's right hand man). Each duchy will gain a number of electors based on the number of constituencies in the duchy. All electors in a duchy will support the victorious candidate for President in that duchy. A duchy must be fully controlled to count towards the Electoral College (this is where differences between numbers of MPs and numbers of electors happen).
The President of the House of Lords must be a landed noble, meaning the only candidate, Eastmund, 1st Baron Tottenham (Catholic Party), becomes President by default, winning all 114 electors.
Sir Roger Aster and President Tottenham were appointed to their positions formally by King Henry I in the shed at Westminster. The Third Parliament began....
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter VIII: The Third Parliament Pre-Imperial Coronation
President Tottenham and Sir Roger Aster granted their permission to the King to invade Northumbria. Hartwig came of age. Henry ate Nachshon of Lankaran. In Leinster, the constituency of Wexford was established. Henry ate a Saxon Pagan named Bertold of Norden. The fifth set of grandchildren were born. In Ossory, the constituency of Kilkenny was established. In September, the war ended. The constituencies of Stamford Bridge, Beverley, Wyke, Leeds, Doncaster, Sherburn, Yoredale, Settle, York, St Peters, Richmond and Scarborough were established. The duchy of York was added to the Electoral College, with 12 electors. Henry refocused on Ireland. As the pestilence continued to infect England, Henry ordered for a hospital to be constructed in London. Bishop Cynewulf of Waltham, a priestly member of the Lords and the Court Physician, became renowned across the world for his skills. In Ireland, the constituencies of Cahir, Dublin, Forradh and Timahoe were established. Leinster gained 3 electors in the Electoral College, taking the duchy to 6 electors in total. In 791, Henry attacked the various chieftains of Ireland, seeking to conquer the entire island, except for parts of Connacht. Alexander, a grandson of the King by Arnold, died from SIDS. Henry ate a prisoner he took in the war. This shocking act caused Deasmhumhain and Airgialla to surrender. The constituencies of Armagh, Derry and Clone were established. Henry ate Ralph. The sixth set of grandchildren were born. Kildare surrendered and the constituency of St Brigit was established. A priest tried to perform an exorcism on King Henry but he refused. Charlemagne conquered Italy. Ulster surrendered and the constituency of Connor was established. Henry ate his concubine Eleanor. Henry ate Sigered Offing, the youngest member of the dynasty that ruled Bedford before him. The remaining Irish chieftains that Henry invaded surrendered. The constituencies of Innisfallen, Killaloe, Birr and Kells were established. The duchies of Meath and Munster were added to the Electoral College with 5 electors each.
On September 4th 791, Henry declared himself King of Wales, King of Ireland, King of Brittany, and Emperor of the British Empire. Now it was time for an Imperial coronation....
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter IX: The Imperial Coronation
September 5th 791:
Chaplain Bishop Gerald of St Pauls gathered all in the shed. He said "We are here today to crown His Imperial Majesty Henry I Worthington, Emperor of the British Empire, King of England, King of Wales, King of Ireland, King of Britanny, Duke of Bedford, Duke of Winchester etc."
Emperor Henry sat on the throne in the shed, awaiting the Imperial Crown of the British Empire to be placed on his head. Gerald talked about Henry's accomplishments and how he would protect the Empire for as long as he ruled. Gerald placed the Imperial Crown on Henry's head and said "Long live the Emperor."
President Tottenham and Prime Minister Sir Roger Aster congratulated Henry on his achievement of becoming Emperor. Henry met with his eight commanders and instructed them to prepare for future invasions...
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter X: The Remainder of the Third Parliament
Henry began invasions to finish off the conquest of Ireland. Just a month after the coronation, Bishop Gerald died. He was replaced as Chaplain by Laurence Fortune, the Emperor's son-in-law. Ui Maine surrendered in November 791, no constituency was established yet. Tir Chonaill surrendered, the constituency of Raphoe was established. The duchy of Ulster was added to the Electoral College, with 4 electors. On December 18th 791, President Eastmund of Tottenham, 1st Baron Tottenham, died from cancer. His heir, Eadfrith of Tottenham, became 2nd Baron Tottenham and the 2nd President of the House of Lords by default. The Prime Minister, Sir Roger Aster, declared a day of national mourning for the late President.
In January 792, the seventh set of grandchildren were born. Connacht surrendered, meaning the British Empire ruled all of Ireland. The constituencies of Aughagower and Tuam were established. The duchy of Connaught was added to the Electoral College, with 3 electors. Henry declared war on Dal Riata. A third party entered the Northumbrian Civil War, with the younger brother of the deposed King rising up. Dal Riata surrendered. The constituencies of Stornoway, Finlaggan, Iona and St Moluag were established. The duchy of the Hebrides was added to the Electoral College, with 4 electors. The eighth set of grandchildren were born. The constituencies of Dundalk, Coleraine, Cork and Kildare were established.
Prince Reginald and his lover were caught having 'conversation' by the secluded court. The court wished for them to break up. Just one thing, Prince Reginald was married to his lover. So Henry let them be. The constituency of Uisnech was established. The court wished for Prince Reginald and his wife to stop having 'conversation' but Henry allowed them to continue. The constituencies of Ross and Limerick were established. The lockdown finally ended in October 793. The constituencies of Delbna, Kilmore, Moville, Ballintubber, Galway, Dunseverick, Snizort and Dunollie were established. Henry cut off a thief's hands. In early 795, Henry invaded Mercia. The war lasted from January to March. The constituencies of Derby, Chesterfield, Burton, Chester, Halton and Macclesfield were established. The final Welsh lord was attacked. The war lasted 2 months. The constituencies of Archenfield, Clifford and St Ethelberts were established. The King of Northumbria managed to convince one of the rebels to take a white peace. The rebel was winning at the time.
Ben, Jeff and Fred helped the British Empire have a technological breakthrough. Middlesex became the most developed province in the world.
The Imperial Party passed the Ninth Amendment to the Constitution, which increased the administrative power of the nation. The Emperor could now interfere in vassal affairs and arrest those who refuse his intervention. Then the Tenth Amendment was passed, which banned British land from being inherited by other realms. Prince Godfrey came of age in October 796. He married Aveline of Caernarfon. Prince Simon was appointed as a Commander. In July 797, Prince Godfrey had his first child.
As the Emperor's gout worsened, Prince Henry took on more of an active role in the administration of the Empire. He convinced the Third Parliament to pass the Eleventh Amendment, which changed the term to 5 years (the next election would still be in 800) and getting rid of Special General Elections (if Parliament were to dissolve in 802, the next election would be in 807, not 805). In April 798, Prince Godfrey had his second child. In July, Henry offered the peasants some gifts at the hospitals on the condition that they bowed before him. In October, Marshal Mayor Jordan died and Commander Michael replaced him.
On January 9th 799, President Eadfrith of Tottenham, 2nd Baron Tottenham, was assassinated by his younger brother Osraed. His young son, Swithelm, was only one year old, but as the 3rd Baron Tottenham, he became the 3rd President by default. Osraed was arrested and for the first time, the Supreme Court was convened.
British Empire v Tottenham
Chief Justice Alexander, Bishop of Elmham: "You, Osraed of Tottenham, are on trial for the assassination of President Eadfrith of Tottenham, your elder brother. The evidence against you is overwhelming, how do you plead."
Osraed: "Not guilty, your honour."
Chief Justice Alexander, Bishop of Elmham: "The poisoner implicated you, what is your opinion on that?"
Osraed: "I had a motive, so I was a natural fall guy."
Chief Justice Alexander, Bishop of Elmham: "Go on, what motive did you have?"
Osraed: "I'm a good Anglican, while Eadfrith, like our father before him, was a devoted member of the Catholic Party. Only Swithelm was between me and the Barony of Tottenham."
Chief Justice Alexander, Bishop of Elmham: "If you are found guilty, you will certainly be executed. However, if you give up your co-conspirator, you may get life in prison instead."
Osraed: "Bishop Eustace of Rochester."
Chief Justice Alexander, Bishop of Elmham: "Osraed of Tottenham, the Supreme Court of the British Empire finds you guilty of assassination. You, along with Bishop Eustace of Rochester, will be executed by flaying."
Clerk: "Your honour, Bishop Eustace of Rochester has risen up in rebellion against the Emperor."
Chief Justice Alexander, Bishop of Elmham: "This session of the Supreme Court is dismissed."
Henry dealt with Rochester. Prince Godfrey had his third child while the rebellion was ongoing. Eustace was flayed on February 13th 799. Prince Arnold was appointed as a Commander, replacing the executed rebel Eustace. Henry befriended Bishop Fulk of St Ethelberts after the two started practicing dueling together. A Pictish chieftain started raiding The Hebrides. Henry scared him back to the Highlands by sending an army to The Hebrides. Henry gets offered an exorcism again. Again he refuses it. Prince Godfrey had his fourth child in October. On Christmas Day, Jesus starts talking to Henry. On election day, Henry saw a comet, which would have no effect on the outcome of the election...
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter XI: The 800 General Election
The Imperial Party's successful stewardship of the Third Parliament meant they were the favourites to win by a landslide again. The Mercantile Party and The Military Party merged with the Imperial Party, meaning the election was a three-way between the dominant Imperial Party, the struggling Catholic Party and the ethnic Celtic Alliance. Swithelm's accession as President was the cause of a minor constitutional crisis, as some argued that a child could not be the Emperor's Right-Hand Man. Others argued that since the role was ceremonial, age didn't matter.
The 800 General Election: (91 MPs for a majority):
Party
Leader
Number of MPs
Outcome
Imperial Party
Sir Roger Aster (English, Anglican, 60, Westminster)
93
Form Government
Catholic Party
Father Aethelwulf Ossing (Anglo-Saxon, Catholic, 53, Crowland)
2
In Opposition
Celtic Alliance
Hoel de Leon (Breton, Catholic, 38, Brest)
85
In Opposition
Government 93-87 Opposition
The Celtic Alliance won every seat they ran candidates for, except for the counties of Shrewsbury and Hereford, and the duchy of The Hebrides. Hoel de Leon was proving to be an exceptional and unifying presence amongst Irish, Welsh and Breton people. If the Catholic Party swallowed their pride and merged with the Celtic Alliance as de Leon suggested in 798, the Imperial Party may have been wiped out outside of Anglican territory (i.e Bedford, Norfolk and Kent). Sir Roger Aster managed to stay on as Prime Minister, although some in the party believed his complacent attitude allowed the CA to make as much gains as they did. Hoel de Leon retained his position as Leader of the Opposition, but if he could flip The Hebrides, he would be Prime Minister in five years time.
The House of Lords
President Swithelm of Tottenham, 3rd Baron Tottenham won re-election by default. However, the new duchies and constituencies meant that the Electoral College had expanded.
The Current Electoral College: (174 electors)
Bedford (13), Norfolk (6), Kent (10), Winchester (8), Brittany (10), Penthievre (5), Cornwall (6), Somerset (6), Gloucester (10), Warwick (13), York (12), Gwynedd (9), Powys (9), Gower (7), Glamorgan (8), Leinster (6), Munster (8), Meath (7), Ulster (8), Connacht (7) and The Hebrides (6).
If the Celtic Alliance had found a candidate they could run, they would have won 90 electors and won the election, based on voting in the Parliamentary side (they would get all of Powys by virtue of winning more constituencies).
Sir Roger Aster and President Swithelm of Tottenham were appointed formally by Emperor Henry I in the shed. The Fourth Parliament began....
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter XII: The Fourth Parliament
Henry was at a crossroads. His likely next invasion target, Northumbria, had a truce until September. He could get going again on the continent, but Charlemagne ruled an Empire spreading from Rennes to Stettin, with exclaves in Galicia as well. At the same time, the House of Commons was in disarray. During a meeting in the shed, a group of Imperial Party MPs announced they would be forming a new party, the Imperialist Party, to run in the next election. Prime Minister Sir Roger Aster had to let the rebels stay within the main party until the election to prevent the Celtic Alliance from pouncing. The founder of the Imperialist Party, Joseph Westfield, MP for Bedford, requested that Henry expand within territories unlikely to support the Celtic Alliance, such as Northumbria or Francia. Westfield spread pamphlets encouraging "good English Anglicans to move to territories within the Empire." It had an immediate effect, as English Anglicans became the majority throughout much of England. Henry's friend Fulk broke his leg just before a hunt, so Prince Simon joined his father. The two had an argument over money earned from selling the hunted animals. The Norse started raiding people using boats, people were calling them 'Vikings'. Henry stops being horny because Jesus tells him to. Prince Godfrey had his fifth child in July. The Emperor of China died, because apparently Henry wanted to know that.
In November 800, Henry invaded Northumbria, which thrilled Joseph Westfield but worried Sir Roger Aster. The war ended the following April with total victory for the British Empire. All of Northumbria was annexed. Joseph Westfield was thrilled to achieve complete unification of England but was worried about the Celtic people in northern Northumbria helping Hoel de Leon take over Parliament. To counter the threat of Westfield, Aster approached his former student, Prince Henry, the heir to the throne, to begin implementing what they had planned for the Twelfth Amendment, an Act of Unity, which would grant the Celtic peoples their own Parliaments and limited self-governance. The conquest of Northumberland meant that there were many new constituencies; Lancaster, Preston, Furness, Appleby, Lowther, Cartmel, Burgh, Carlisle, Penrith, Durham, St Cuthbert, Hartlepool, Bamburgh, St Aidans, Newcastle, Yeavering, Lindisfarne, Tyninghame, Abercorn, Melrose, Whithorn and Crossraguel. The Electoral College would also expand.
In April, Prince Godfrey had his sixth child. In August, Henry invaded Strathclyde and Manaw, drawing the ire of Westfield who didn't want more Celts in the country. Westfield famously (or infamously) declared in Parliament "That he would rather Satan rule than a Celt." This was interpreted as a sign that the Anglican vote was split and the Celts would power to victory in 805. In September, Steward Bishop Andrew was assassinated, but the culprit was never found. However, suspicion fell on Westfield, as the Steward was firmly in the Aster camp (while serving in the Lords) and his replacement was pro-Westfield. The new Steward, Andrew of Lichfield, was the betrothed of Henry's granddaughter Blanche Worthington. Strathclyde surrendered. The constituency of St Kentigern was established. Chaplain Laurence told Henry about a rare artifact. Henry knew better after Theobald's death to a man-eating tiger, so he dismissed the news. In November, Manaw surrendered. No new constituency was established for now.
Joseph Westfield wrote to Emperor Henry requesting financing for a colony on the Isle of Man for "good English Anglicans." The Emperor reluctantly agreed to give funding to the Westfield-supported expedition. Henry tortured an Irish woman in his dungeon to death. Jesus told Henry to stop being greedy, which he agreed to do. In January, Prince Godfrey had his seventh child. In July, Jesus told Henry to give 50 gold to charity. In August, Spymaster Mayor Randolph of Axminster died. He was replaced as Spymaster by Mayor Geoffrey of Settle. In October, Prince Godfrey had his eighth and final child. In February 803, Henry burnt an old Welsh man with a huge beard at the stake. The constituencies of Berwick, Edinburgh, Roxburgh, Dunure and Dumfries were established. The son of the Pictish chieftain who raided The Hebrides in the past started raiding The Hebrides. Henry sent a force to destroy him. The chieftain ran away. In May, the Isle of Man converted to English culture and Anglican religion. The Orthodox people struck back and rendered Iconoclasm a heresy once more over in Byzantium. In July, the first set of grandchildren came of age and married. The constituencies of Renfrew and Peel were established. A random Anglo-Saxon man asked for his wife to be released from jail. Henry had the wife executed.
In November 803, Hoel de Leon died suddenly aged 41. The Celtic Alliance fractured immediately into regional factions. Joseph Westfield stated to his supporters that the "Celtic Threat" was not yet defeated, and that extreme measures were needed to defeat them. Sir Roger Aster announced that he would retire at the next General Election. Henry held a Christmas feast where his friend Bishop Fulk was to be the guest of honour, but the priest never showed up. Henry's first great-grandchildren were born in early 804. Jesus told Henry to stop being envious about his neighbour who "has quite probably the nicest ass around." Then Jesus told Henry to stop worshipping himself.
It was now election time...
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter XIII: The 805 General Election
The breakdown of both the Imperial Party and the Celtic Alliance meant that it was unlikely that any one party would come out with an outright majority in the General Election. As Sir Roger Aster was retiring and Hoel de Leon had died, the only leader with previous leadership experience was Catholic Party leader Father Aethelwulf Ossing. The expansion of Parliament and the Electoral College meant that this election could shake up the political make-up.
The 805 General Election (106 MPs for a Majority):
Party
Leader
Number of MPs
Outcome
Imperial Party
Bernard Strong (English, Anglican, 48, Westminster)
46
Form Government
Imperialist Party
Joseph Westfield (English, Anglican, 36, Bedford)
59
In Opposition
Catholic Party
Father Aethelwulf Ossing (Anglo-Saxon, Catholic, 58, Crowland)
1
In Opposition
Irish Party
Enri Ui Donaill (Irish, Catholic, 40, Cork)
42
Join Government
Welsh Party
Hywel Rhos (Welsh, Catholic, 29, Degannwy)
41
Join Government
Breton Party
Konan Kernev (Breton, Catholic, 67, Quimperle)
21
Join Government
Government 150-60 Opposition
The broad coalition, led by Bernard Strong of the Imperial Party, was comprised of the Imperial Party, the Irish Party, the Welsh Party and the Breton Party. Strong was appointed as the 2nd Prime Minister, with Ui Donaill, Rhos and Kernev serving in influential parts of his government. Joseph Westfield was enraged by the results of the election and accused Strong and the Imperials of "getting into bed with the enemy." He became Leader of the Opposition. Strong committed to Aster's plan for the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution, which would grant limited self-governance to the Celtic people and further protect their cultural and religious freedoms.
The House of Lords:
President Swithelm of Tottenham, 3rd Baron Tottenham, won re-election by default as there was no other eligible candidates.
The Current Electoral College (210):
Bedford (13), Norfolk (6), Kent (10), Winchester (8), Brittany (10), Penthievre (5), Cornwall (6), Somerset (6), Gloucester (10), Warwick (13), York (12), Gwynedd (9), Powys (9), Gower (7), Glamorgan (8), Leinster (6), Munster (8), Meath (7), Ulster (8), Connacht (7), The Hebrides (6), Northumberland (8), Cumbria (6), Lancaster (9), Lothian (6), Galloway (6) and Man (1).
President Tottenham and Prime Minister Strong were formally appointed by Henry I in the shed. The Fifth Parliament began...
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter XIV: The Fifth Parliament
Henry I considered acting against the Picts, but with tension in Parliament, he decided against it. More great-grandchildren were born. Some of the Emperor's maternal grandsons were made noble lords, granting them membership of the House of Lords and likely signaling that there would be a new President in 810. Henry decided that he didn't want to go hunting using falcons, so he said he was too busy. Jesus told Henry not to be angry all the time. Henry Fortune, the Emperor's grandson, was appointed as the 1st Duke of Norfolk, making him Duke Henry II (the Emperor who granted a duchy was always to be recognised in the regnal numbers, as would Emperors who later appointed Governors-General).
In February 806, Joseph Westfield published a pamphlet called "The Celtic Scourge", in which he suggested that the English Anglicans had a moral duty to rid the world of Celtic people. He encouraged them to seize land from Celts and to "civilise them" for the betterment of the Empire. More English Anglicans spread across England and into Ulster as a result of Westfield's writings. A mad priest asks Henry to become a devil worshipper. Henry refuses. Henry tortured a prisoner. Pictland was being invaded by a Viking, so Henry decided to invade too. Henry executed 90 prisoners at once. The Viking lost his invasion after being captured in battle by the Pictish King. Henry executed 10 more prisoners. The war ended with the total annexation of Pictland. Many constituencies were established, but more would be established in the coming years.
The British Empire's de jure territory had been united, and Prime Minister Bernard Strong declared November 16th, the date of the end of the war with Pictland, to be a national holiday. Henry proclaimed himself as King of Scotland on that day. The Pictish dynasties fled to the last surviving Pictish state, the Chiefdom of Caliu (modern day Faroe Islands). Jesus told Henry to get on his knees and pray. Henry had another moon moment, he killed another cow. Edmund Fortune, the Duke of Norfolk's younger brother, was appointed as the 1st Duke of Winchester, forming the Fortune-Winchester cadet branch. Parliament ended up passing a different Twelfth Amendment, this Amendment would allow for viceroyalties and the office of Governor-General for Kingdoms other than England. The Governors-General would be third in importance in the House of Lords, after the Emperor and the President. Unlike the President, but like the Emperor, the Governor-General would serve for life. Unlike the Emperor, but like the President, the Governor-General would be elected by the Electoral College (but in the case of Governors-General, only their kingdom would count). The Emperor had the privilege of deciding if a Governor-General would be appointed.
Joseph Westfield managed to help Anglicanism spread in Wales and Cornwall. Bernard Strong worried that Westfield and the Imperialists would win the forthcoming General Election in 810. Henry burnt the Mayor of Doncaster at the stake because children were having nightmares about him. A Welsh priest was burnt next for being a devil worshipper. Henry was greeted by an asylum seeker from China. He decided to send the man back to China. By the time the Chinese guards arrived, the man had disappeared, never to be seen again. Jesus told Henry to be chaste. Ralph Fortune, the younger brother of Norfolk and Winchester, became the 1st Duke of Gloucester, forming the Fortune-Gloucester cadet branch. The youngest Fortune son, Laurence Fortune the Younger, became the 1st Duke of Warwick, founding the cadet branch of Fortune-Warwick.
810 came along, and it was time for another election....
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter XV: The 810 General Election
The 810 General Election was held while many people in the Empire were growing concerned at the strength the Imperialists were showing and the total collapse of collaboration amongst the ruling coalition. Joseph Westfield gave speeches to his constituents stating that he believed he would be Prime Minister after the election. Bernard Strong had lost the confidence of the Imperial Party, but managed to stay on as the party couldn't convince Sir Roger Aster to come out of retirement. The Catholic Party dissolved as Father Aethelwulf Ossing acknowledged that he had no chance of retaining his seat. The nationalist parties struggled to retain voters after aligning themselves with the Imperial Party after the previous election.
The 810 General Election (115 MPs for a majority):
Party
Leader
Number of MPs
Outcome
Imperial Party
Bernard Strong (English, Anglican, 53)
64
Opposition in a Hung Parliament
Imperialist Party
Joseph Westfield (English, Anglican, 41, Bedford)
94
Leads a Hung Parliament
Irish Party
Enri Ui Donaill (Irish, Catholic, 45, Cork)
40
Opposition in a Hung Parliament
Welsh Party
Gruffyd ap Hywel (Welsh, Catholic, 22, Pembroke)
13
Opposition in a Hung Parliament
Breton Party
Konan Kernev (Breton, Catholic, 72, Quimperle)
15
Opposition in a Hung Parliament
Hung Parliament, no majority formed.
As the Imperialist Party was the largest in the Parliament, Joseph Westfield was appointed as the 3rd Prime Minister of the British Empire. The Hung Parliament meant that the 'Abstinence Clause' was likely to be factored in when passing laws. This clause states that abstained votes are treated as if they never existed to begin with, for example, if 27 MPs were to abstain in a vote, the majority required to pass would be reduced from 115 (out of 229) to 102 (out of 202). Westfield knew that he would have to take advantage of the division amongst the opposition, as to ensure his party could pass laws, he would need a minimum of 42 MPs to abstain.
The House of Lords:
The first competitive Presidential Election in British history was held in 810. President Swithelm of Tottenham decided against running again due to his youth and the projected Imperialist domination of England. As a result, there were four eligible candidates, the Dukes of Norfolk, Winchester, Gloucester and Warwick. Edmund, Duke of Winchester, decided not to run and instead endorsed his brother Duke Ralph of Gloucester. Gloucester was supported by a new political movement that decided only to contest in Presidential elections for the time being, the Liberal Party. The other two Fortune brothers, Norfolk and Warwick, competed for the nomination of the new Conservative Party.
Ralph Fortune-Gloucester, 1st Duke of Gloucester, became the 4th President. The Liberal victory over the Conservatives was caused by the Conservatives aligning with Westfield and the Imperialists, while the Liberals became a unifying presence for the divided coalition. If the coalition had remained united in Parliament, they would have crushed the Imperialists. Gloucester's victory emphasised the fragility of Westfield's hold on power.
President Ralph Fortune-Gloucester and Prime Minister Joseph Westfield were appointed by Emperor Henry I in the shed at Westminster. The Sixth Parliament began....
*Warwick gained 4 electors from Powys after restructuring when Duke Laurence was appointed.
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The British Empire I: Rise of Britannia: Chapter XVI: The Final Chapter (of Book I)
Henry I was in ill health, there was no secret about it. It was just a case of how long did he have left to live. While stationed in the pestilence riddled north, Henry caught a fever. Then he felt unable to stay awake, and had no energy when he was. His physician was convinced he had caught Consumption. Henry complimented his grandson Hugh Worthington on his accomplishments as a father. Henry started to feel chest pains. More great-grandchildren were born. Henry was officially diagnosed with Consumption on April 25th 810. Prince Henry convinced his mentor Sir Roger Aster to come out of retirement for a plan he had formulated. Westfield, having caught wind of this plan, tried unsuccessfully to pass an Amendment that would effectively disenfranchise the Celtic people. With an election inevitable, Aster challenged Westfield to a debate. Henry asked his elderly and depressed physician to perform an experimental treatment. This treatment was a resounding success. The Emperor's grandson Reginald Tall was appointed as the 1st Duke of Lancaster. Henry announced a royal decree, creating the Archbishopric of Canterbury and the Republic of Bristol. Henry's health started to recover. The unrest in China subsided, incase anyone in Britain asked. Pharamond Karling, a son of Charlemagne, formed the Empire of Germania. Conflict was likely to ensue as there can only be one Emperor in the West. On January 17th 811, the War of the Two Empires began. In February, Gerald Tall, Lancaster's younger brother, was appointed as the 1st Duke of York, forming the cadet branch of Tall-York. Prince Simon died of poor health a few days later.
In March, Henry's depressed physician died aged 71. 403 Germans tried to seize the shed in Westminster, but they were told they needed to have 1000 more troops. They were able to reinforce to 800 soldiers, but that still wasn't enough. Henry had 32 prisoners executed. More Germans arrived in Westminster to siege the shed. One of Henry's great-grandsons died. The siege of the shed began as 5000 Germans had now gathered in Westminster. After a month, there were now over 10000 Germans besieging the shed. Within a few months, 15000 were laying siege to the shed. In November, the Germans started their attempt to assault the shed. Ben summoned 40000 Anglican warriors to defend the shed. A fierce battle was fought. During the battle, Henry received news that China had convinced the Maldives to pay tribute. The Battle of London was a success, but the Emperor was fatally wounded.
As Henry lay dying on the battlefield, he finally accepted Pharamond's unconditional surrender, which was first offered months earlier. His living sons, his living concubines, the Prime Minister Joseph Westfield, the President Ralph Fortune-Gloucester and the Men of the Shed, Ben, Jeff and Fred, all gathered before him. With his dying breath, he asked his sons to obey the terms of the Constitution and apologised to Westfield and Fortune-Gloucester for causing an early election. Emperor Henry I Worthington died from his wounds on November 25th 811, which would be remembered as Founder's Day from that point forward (November 16th was Unification Day, Foundation Day was September 4th). The peace treaty negotiated between the two Empires granted Britain everything west of the Rhine and the Alps, as well as the Spanish exclaves.
The electoral cycle was to be brought forward as a mark of respect for Henry I and to allow Henry II to formally appoint his own Prime Minister and President. The Sixth Parliament was dissolved. The new conquests meant that the political make-up of the Empire was bound to change...
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The British Empire II: The Consolidation of Britannia: Chapter I: The Week Before
November 26th 811:
Following the death of Emperor Henry I and the accession of Henry II, a General Election was to be held on December 1st. The week before would be utilised to allow the candidates to introduce themselves to the constituents, and for party leaders to reach a wider audience. Henry II indicated that a General Election debate would be held and attended by all party leaders on November 28th. If a party leader refused to attend and did not send a suitable replacement (i.e a deputy leader), the entire party would be disqualified from the election. Prime Minister Joseph Westfield accused the Emperor of "unconstitutional overreach", whatever that meant. But he still agreed to attend the debate. The former coalition had learned from their mistakes in the last election and, with the support of the Liberal Party, rallied around former Prime Minister Sir Roger Aster. What was supposed to be a disorganised mess of a debate now was to be a three-way, between Aster (Liberal-Coalition), Westfield (Imperialist) and Conservative Party leader Mark Milkman.
November 27th 811 (From this point on until the end of British Empire II, the pov is from Emperor Henry II (unless specified otherwise)):
One day left. Tomorrow is the debate which should expose Westfield for what he is; a delusional demagogue. Roger has this in the bag, Milkman and the Conservatives will likely siphon votes from the Imperialists. My Empress indicates to me that she hopes Westfield is defeated, for the good of peace in the Empire. "After all", she says, "We're a minority within our own Empire, our rule is based on the compliance of the majority, antagonising them as Westfield does isn't sustainable." I reply "Of course, which is why Aster and myself have always supported devolution and home rule for the Celtic peoples, and we will support it for the Frankish peoples as well." We finish our conversation, and I get to setting up the shed for tomorrow's debate.
November 28th 811:
Today's the big day. Well, to be more accurate, the big day a few days before the big day. Aster, Westfield and Milkman have arrived and are positioned in the shed, ready for me to start the debate. I enter the room, tell them the ground rules and finish with; "Let the debate begin". Then I watch the whole thing.
Aster: "People of Britain, I implore you to reject the hatred and division spouted by the incumbent Prime Minister. I encourage you to choose love and unity, and a platform that fights for that."
Milkman: "Joseph Westfield is a fearmonger and serial liar who openly seeks to divide people based on their values and their culture. As Prime Minister, I will criminalise his actions and bring him to justice."
Westfield: "Making everything about me, are you? These inept fools can't think of anything to promote themselves but to bring me down. The Celts are in their ears, telling them that English people are bad. Aster is 70000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 years old and Milkman needs to sell more milk. CELTS SHOULD NOT HAVE THE VOTE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. They plot against the good English people, they sacrifice our people to their heathen God. I made Britain great, and I will keep Britain great. DisAster and NoMilkman will destroy our great country with their alliance with the Celts. LAWS SHOULD BE PASSED TO MAKE CELTS DIE. This election is a corrupt sham. It should not be held. I was elected to a 5-year term last year, yet we are having another election already. DisAster didn't have early elections when he was Prime Minister, so why should I? DisAster wasn't even supposed to be eligible to run, but the corrupt Emperor allowed him to break the law. THE EMPEROR IS A KINSLAYING TYRANT. He murdered his great father Henry I in order to remove me, the rightful Prime Minister from power. If I am re-elected, I will execute Henry II for his treasonous, treacherous, tyrannical, despotic, disloyal treason. THE EMPEROR IS A CELTPHILE. He would have us be outbred by Celts if it were not for my measures as Prime Minister. I will design territories specified for Celts where they will be forced to live and do hard labour for the nation. THE CELTS CAUSED CONSUMPTION BY POISONING THE WELLS. IF WE DO NOT POISON THEM, THEY WILL KILL US ALL. IF YOU LOVE BRITAIN, YOU WILL VOTE IMPERIALIST."
Aster: "I'm only 71, Joseph. I've still got a lot in the tank. To the Celtic, Frankish and Anglo-Saxons of the nation, I must emphasise the urgency with which you need to vote the man who spoke before me out of office. He plans to disenfranchise Celtic people, and it is only a matter of time before he goes after everyone else who aren't, in his words, "good English Anglicans". He has insinuated that Celtic people are heathens when we all worship the same God. He believes he made Britain great. That isn't true. The people of Britain made Britain great, and the people will keep Britain great. He has suggested that he will kill all Celtic people if re-elected. If we let him get away with that, he won't stop until he destroys every non-English person. He recently accused our new Emperor of "unconstitutional overreach", but he seems to forget that this election was mandated by a provision in the Constitution. The Constitution doesn't have term-limits. Theoretically, one could be Prime Minister or President for life, if one kept winning elections. Our late Emperor Henry I died of battle-wounds, he was not murdered by his good son. This man is committing treason right now, it is treasonous to call for the killing of the Emperor. The Prime Minister has openly declared that he will kill all Celtic people if re-elected. If you value freedom and life, you must vote him out."
Milkman: "I only wrote two sentences, and I have nothing else to say. Goodbye, and I wish the two of you luck."
Westfield: "RUAGER DISASTER WISHES FOR MY REMOVAL FROM OFFICE BECAUSE HE REGRETS STEPPING DOWN AND LETTING BRENAWN WEAK TAKE OVER. I BEAT BRENAWN WEAK ONCE, I CAN BEAT HIM AGAIN. I MADE BRITAIN GREAT, AND I WILL KEEP BRITAIN GREAT. RUAGER DISASTER WANTS TO DESTROY BRITAIN BECAUSE HE HATES HIS PEOPLE AND HIS NATION. CELTS DO NOT DESERVE RIGHTS IN OUR GREAT NATION, THEY MUST BE CIVILISED. THE CONSTITUTION HAS TERM LIMITS WHICH FORBID THE PRIME MINISTER FROM SERVING FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS. RUAGER DISASTER SEEKS TO RULE FOR LIFE, HE SAID IT HIMSELF. HE WILL LET THE CELTS REPLACE US AND ERADICATE OUR WAY OF LIFE. HENRY THE FIRST WAS MURDERED BY THE CELTS AND WE MUST AVENGE HIM. RUAGER DISASTER HAS SUGGESTED THAT I, THE MOST LOYAL MAN IN THE NATION, HAS COMMITTED TREASON. I AM NO TREASONER, I NEVER COMMITTED TREASON, IT IS NOT TREASONOUS TO KILL HOEL DE LEON, A RADICAL CELT TERRORIST WHO POISONED THE WELLS AND ASSASSINATED THE EMPEROR. RUAGER DISASTER WOULD OF LET HOEL DE LEON DESTROY THE EMPIRE AND I WOULD NOT ALLOW THAT. THE CELTS ARE NOT WORTHY OF LIFE AS THEY ARE NOT HUMAN, HUMAN PEOPLE DO NOT DO HUMAN SACRIFICE TO HEATHEN GODS. TO MY BELOVED SUPPORTERS, VOTE FOR OUR CAUSE NOW AND YOU WILL NEVER NEED TO VOTE AGAIN BECAUSE WE WILL GO BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHEN THERE WAS NO HOUSE OF COMMONERS, INSTEAD THE ENGLISH LORDS OF BRITAIN WILL REIGN SUPREME WHEN I KILL THE EMPEROR. WE SHALL SAVE BRITAIN FROM THE RADICAL CELT TERRORISM THAT THREATENS ITS VERY EXISTANCE."
Aster: "I rest my case."
Westfield: "RUAGER DISASTER IS A COWARD AND A PUPPET OF THE RADICAL CELT TERRORISM. MY GLORIOUS SUPPORTERS, WE MUST KILL RUAGER DISASTER BEFORE HE AND THE RADICAL CELT TERRORISM STEAL THE ELECTION. DO NOT LEAVE THIS ROOM RUAGER DISASTER YOU ARE NOT A PERSON OF EXISTANCE RIGHTS YOU MUST BE JAILED KILLED DISMEMBERED EATEN AND THROWN INTO THE SEA I WILL ENSURE THIS HAPPENS TO YOU RUAGER DISASTER IF YOU DO NOT EXCEPT THAT THE RADICAL CELT TERRORISM IS PLOTTING TO STEAL THE ELECTION.....
He continued to drone on for about three hours, but I had left the room. Hopefully the Imperialist Party would be hampered at the election...
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The British Empire II: The Consolidation of Britannia: Chapter II: The Week Of
December 1st 811:
Election day is here. The voters will decide whether Joseph Westfield and the Imperialists will get 5 more years in power, or if Sir Roger Aster and the Liberal-Coalition movement will remove the Imperialists from power. As the Emperor, I am not eligible to vote. This is because I could be accused of influencing the election by promoting the candidate I vote for. My ineligibility won't stop Westfield from claiming a defeat will be because of fraud though. In this election, a whopping 596 MPs (up from 229) will be elected to Parliament. Ben has confirmed that there is room in the shed for all of them. However, if the Empire keeps expanding, we might have to implement a Constitutional Amendment to limit the number of MPs that can be elected. I have an idea that if a kingdom has its own Parliament and a Governor-General, then they elect one MP per province instead of per major settlement. England would retain the one MP per major settlement rule. This could win over the moderate members of the Imperialist Party. I plan to take a nap, and tomorrow, the Parliament will convene, which will indicate the results.
December 2nd 811:
The results are in. The Seventh Parliament will begin shortly. The political make-up is as follows: (297 MPs for a majority)
Party
Leader
Number of MPs
Outcome
Liberal-Coalition
Sir Roger Aster (English, Anglican, 71, Westminster)
436
Form Government
Imperialist
Joseph Westfield (English, Anglican, 42, Bedford)
16
In Opposition
Conservative
Mark Milkman (English, Anglican, 55, Stamford Bridge)
144
In Opposition
"Yes!" I say to my wife Catherine of Lynn. "Aster won, Westfield is finished." Catherine replies "But if you implement devolution, we could be in trouble. The right increased their hold on England, but the Imperialists collapsed after the debate. The Conservatives will support devolution because they know they're going to struggle to win constituencies outside of England, Man, Ulster and parts of Brittany. Westfield won't admit defeat, he will never compromise." Next the Presidential vote was to be done. There were no primaries this time around, it was a straight up repeat of last year, just with more provinces in the Electoral College.
811 Presidential Election: Norfolk v Gloucester Round 2: (286 electors to win)
Party
Candidate
Electoral Votes
Total + Outcome
Liberal
Ralph Fortune-Gloucester (English, Anglican, 21, Gloucester)
Norfolk (6), Bath (12), Canterbury (10), Warwick (17), Lancaster (9), Man (1), York (12)
67 ; Does not become President
I have noticed some rather large regions, especially within France, that could prove decisive in a close election. In the battle of my two nephews, Ralph won decisively because he was a popular incumbent and the new regions were suspicious of the Conservatives and their friendlier attitude towards the Imperialists. In a post-Westfield election, I predict that France could become a major battleground in Presidential votes. The Conservatives underperformed compared to the Parliamentary elections due to the winner-takes-all nature of the Electoral College. For example, Conservative candidates polled well amongst the Anglican minority in Wales, but the Catholic majority delivered all the electors to the Liberals. The Seventh Parliament began once I formally appointed President Fortune-Gloucester and Prime Minister Aster.
December 3rd 811:
While more members of the family were having children, something happened that Aster, Catherine and I were expecting. Westfield and his 15 cronies held a 'protest' outside the shed demanding that the election be nullified and his restoration as Prime Minister effective immediately. This protest was put down easily and the Imperialists were put under house arrest, until the Supreme Court could try them. Aster and the Liberal-Coalition prepared for a new Constitutional Amendment...
