Kingdom of England

Culture

The Normans and French who arrived after the Norman conquest (1066 AD) saw themselves as different from the English. They had close family and economic links to the Duchy of Normandy, spoke Norman French and had their own distinctive culture. For many years, to be English was to be associated with military failure and serfdom. During the 12th century, the divisions between the English and Normans began to dissolve as a result of intermarriage and cohabitation. By the end of the 12th century, and possibly as early as the 1150, contemporary commentators believed the two peoples to be blending, and the loss of the Duchy in 1204 reinforced this trend.
The growth of governmental institutions under a succession of bishops reduced the role of queens and their households in formal government. Married or widowed noblewomen remained significant cultural and religious patrons and played an important part in political and military events. As in earlier centuries, most women worked in agriculture, but here roles became more clearly gendered, with plowing and managing the fields defined as men's work, for example, and dairy production becoming dominated by women.
With the arrival of Christianity the existing military culture of the Anglo-Saxons changed as kings began to convert in the 6th and 7th centuries, conversion began to be used as a justification for war against the remaining pagan kingdoms, for example, while Christian saints were imbued with martial properties. All of this lead to a deep-rooting of Christianity in the English people.

Public Agenda

The current king has made it known in his and other realms his intention to claim the throne of France. Other matters enclude the pacification of Scotland and the reconquest of Ireland

Assets

English ranged troops are outfitted with the English longbow a 6' bow with a range of 370m (1214 ft) which out ranges all bows commonly used on the continent. England is in possession of one of the largest navies in Europe and easily one of the best.

History

Ever since 1337 the conflict over who is the rightful King of France has been ravaging both France and England for over a hundred years. The English retain control over Normandy and Guyenne while Charles VII in Paris has the support of most of the regional nobles of France. With the treaty of Tours in May, the English Lancasters and French Valois families have seemingly traded territory for peace. Among its stipulations are the handover of the county of Maine, a point that was never cleared with the English Parliament, and which is likely to anger noble and commoner alike on the far side of the channel. The fear of public backlash has so far led to this handover being stalled for months, with the word of the English negotiators increasingly being questioned in the French court. England is itself in a precarious situation. A king since he was nine months old, Henry VI has now grown up to assume the crown and actual rule of the kingdom. Even as an adult however Henry seems unwilling to rule, some would say he is even worryingly detached from reality. Intriguing nobles of the realm have instead come to dominate Henry's regime, assuming power and positioning themselves for a future succession. Such feuds might well cripple the internal stability of the Kingdom, especially if hostilities in France commence again. With the English busy with continental and internal affairs the dominion over Ireland has shrunken to a thin strip along the sea known as 'The Pale', with Gaelic lords as well as Hiberno-Normans acting entirely independent of the English Crown. There are few if any English troops on the island anymore much to the enjoyment of the Irish. Should matters in London and Paris finally settle however, the Irish lords are likely to be made a much higher priority.

Demography and Population

2.6 Million people Mainly Humans, Elves, halflings, and some gnomes living within the country.

Agriculture & Industry

During the growing season about half the arable area is cereal crops, and of the cereal crop area, more than 65% is wheat. There are about 31 million sheep, 10 million cattle, 9.6 million poultry and 4.5 million pigs. English dry docks are extraordinarily capable able to build any ship in around a year. having in fighting shape in a year and a half.

Founding Date

927 AD

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Capital

London

Demonym

English

Head of State

Henry VI of England

Government System

Monarchy, Constitutional

Power Structure

Feudal state

Economic System

Palace economy

Currency

Pound Sterling

Major Imports

Gold, and medicine are the largest imports

Legislative Body

A parliament rules on laws and legal disputes not settled on the lower levels Petitioners ranged from very high ranking members of the political elite to very humble peasant farmers.

Judicial Body

The Court of Chancery is a court of equity in England and Wales that follows a set of loose rules to avoid the slow pace of change and possible harshness of the common law. The Chancery has jurisdiction over all matters of equity, including trusts, land law, the estates of lunatics and the guardianship of infants. The Court of Common Pleas, is the common law court in the English legal system that covers "common pleas"; actions between subject and subject, which do not concern the king.

Official State Religion

Catholic Church

Subsidiary Organizations