A Brief History of Esplandia
The Grand Duchy of Valdayne won its independence from the Kian Empire (McMasterdonia) in the mid 16th Century, after a series of strategic victories which ended in a truce. The duchy was reorganized into the Kingdom of Esplandia and has since remained, at large, autonomous.
The war for independence lasted three years and began when Archduke Sherwin Godricsbaern de Halcón refused a royal summons and order to raise his vassal levies from Emperor [name], resulting in Sherwin's titles being stripped from him. A three year war was fought for independence which was won at the Battle of Auguston. Sherwin was crowned the first King of Esplandia on September 7, 1566. Sherwin's kingdom included all the lands which had made up Valdayne with the exception of the City of Eborum and the lands north of the Elborne River. Sherwin's main focus was on strengthening the kingdom, not expansion, as his local neighbors began testing Esplandia's strength. Under the rule of Irwin I the Kingdom expanded in size, and then doubled in size under Godric the Great. Godric was responsible for the creation of the Landesgrad as well as the Royal Council which created a sense of unity amongst the nobles.
Edric I incorpareted Eborum into the Kingdom, and won in the second war for independence when Emperor [name] landed with an army to retake the kingdom. Godric II answered a call for aid in the Kingdom of Askyrre, intertwining the fates of Esplandia and the Tajic region until this day.
Baldwin the Lame was able to annex the lands of Idjo following the Battle of Bradford-Cross and vassalized the Idjin King Llewelyn II. Edric I, Godric II, and Baldwin continued to reform the nation's laws, separating the powers of the crown and the nobility further while defining the roles and customs of Esplandia.
Sherwin II became the king of Both Esplandia and Gothelif, uniting the two Hastfradic Kingdoms. At the end of his reign a third of the kingdom was occupied by the Empire of Syrixia, and the reclaiming of those lands would be the primary goals of Kings Edwin the Black and Edric the Lion. Edwin I was the bastard son of Sherwin II, and he inherited the Crown following the death of the entire Royal Family in the Massacre of Karthied. Edric II crusaded against the encroaching Selonic Hordes in the Kingdoms of Serzulem and Askyrre (modern day Tajis) where he and his heir both perished, causing a civil war over the succession known as the War of the Falcons. Eventually Edric's nephew, Irwin, ascended to the throne and ended the war.
The Kingdom's authority over the western seaboard was restored under Irwin II, but his reign was marred by religious turmoil as the Teid Reformation swept the through the nation. Irwin II was assassinated by religious fanatics. Sherwin III ascended the throne at the age of 13, and spent his entire reign until his death at age 65 trying to heal the religious rift. Godric III drove out the last Syrixian forces and restored the kingdom. The last de Halcón King, Sherwin IV, outlived all his children and grandchildren, and the throne passed to his great nephew, Irwin Kimberley de Dracosta.
Irwin III was the first Esplandian king to truly bring the Kingdom into the international community. He fostered increased foreign trade, and the idea of Esplandian nationalism took root during his reign. His son, Edric III, furthered his father's dreams by setting up foreign embassies and military outposts throughout the world.
Catheryn, Edric's only daughter was able to outmaneuver her brothers and claim the throne upon her father's death. During her reign the Kingdom began aggressive modernization by building railroads, factories, and extending the nation's road networks. Edwin II continued to foster international relations, strengthening Esplandia's ties with her overseas allies, and lead Esplandia through the violence of the Talamnic War. The Esplandian military was modernized under his rule, with the old fuedal systems being completely replaced with a regular, well trained military. Catheryn II ruled over Esplandia as the nation entered the technological age. She was responsible for the Kingdom's current economic strength, as well as guiding the nation through the aftermath of the Talamnic War and the Great War. Her lasting legacy was her willingness to pass the Acts of Forgiveness officially forgiving Syrixia for its crimes during the Occupation of Esplandia.
The current reigning monarch is Sherwin V.