An Comhlathas
(The Commonwealth)
An Comhlathas (/ʌn ‘koʊ lǝ hɑs/ Pantellurian: "The Commonwealth") refers to the ninety-four years during the Archaic Period of Érevish history between the Second and Third Kingdoms (715 - 621 BCS), when the country undertook the world's first experiment with a republican form of government. Although largely successful, legislative overreach during a time of crisis led to its downfall and the return to monarchy.
Over many centuries, the clan-based political customs of Érevon had evolved into a complex feudal system of land administration, military obligations and alliances, and a stratified noble class who enjoyed varying degrees of autonomy and authority over the lands and people they controlled. The overthrow of the Fourth Dynasty in 842 BCS brought about a period of gradually increasing tyranny by the Muimnean kings of the Fifth Dynasty, who ruled the Second Kingdom from 841 - 715 BCS.
Although initially they exhibited only minimal concern with the hardships heaped upon the common people by the increasingly corrupt administrations of the Muimnean despots, the Érevish nobility became more and more alarmed as a succession of Muimnean kings raised the taxes, broadened the levies and increased the fees upon their lands. When King Conaing Anramhar (738 - 727 BCS) issued the Foraithne Pionóis (Decree of Fealty) in 733 BCS, which restricted the rights and privileges to which they had become accustomed, many of the Érevish nobility began to speak openly against the crown.
Adding to the instability, crop failures caused by drought from 732 - 728 BCS led to widespread food shortages, resulting in the 727 BCS "Bread Riots" in the streets of the capital. When King Conaing died that year and his young son Cainneach rose to the throne, the stage was set for the insurrection that would follow. By continuing his father's efforts to subjugate the people and consolidate the power, lands and wealth of the Érevish nobility to himself, King Cainneach earned the cognomen Deascach (the Despot). In the twelfth year of his reign the people and the nobility rose up together against him, killing him in his palace and carrying his severed head on a spear through the streets.
Having deposed the hated King Cainneach, the Érevish nobility set about consolidating their rule over the country, convening at Oileán Darach as the first Comhdháil Éiremhónaigh (Assembly of Érevon), where they devised a constitution for self-government. In order to replace the leadership of the overthrown king, a new office was created, called the Údarás (Authority), consisting of three Uachtaráin (Superiors) elected by the Comhdháil and answerable to it, who would rule jointly for terms of three to five years. The Superiors of the First Authority are listed as Urien mac Damhán Ó Dubhshláin, Gallchobhar mac Ardghal mac Nuallán and Eadbhárd An Ó hÍcidhe.
A system of divided power regulated by clear checks and balances developed rapidly, and prosperity returned to the country. In time, the Comhdháil was divided into the Seanad (Senate), consisting of the titled nobility, and the Tionól Treibhe ("Assembly of Clans"), consisting of clan and tribal chieftains. The leadership role of the Údarás was respected, but the power of the individual Uachtarán was limited by the need to work with each other and the Seanad, which was initially an advisory council, but gradually grew in size and power.
[Add description of increasing ineffectiveness due to broadening and intensifying class conflict between the Senate and the Assembly of Tribes]
In 621 BCS Érevon came under attack from the north, when hoards of Franki swarmed through the passes of the Ardagarv Mountains into the Corrail River valley. Marching south toward Oileán Darach, the Frankish army pillaged the countryside. The Seanad appointed the Irialian Prince Eochaid mac Feidlimid Ó hAnnagáin to the position of Giúistís Armraigh ("Magistrate Martial") and tasked him with defending the Commonwealth.
On 19 Seachmonat 621 BCS, the Frankish army under the leadership of a tribal chieftain named Thibaud Gagneux and the Érevish forces under Prince Eochaid faced each other across the Sruthán River ten miles north of Oileán Darach at Áthéadomhain. By all contemporary accounts, the Érevish forces were vastly outnumbered. Hearing of the disparity of strength, and fearing for their own personal safety, the Seanad ordered Eochaid to withdraw and sent a delegation to sue for peace, along with wagons bearing 200 pounds of gold and 1000 pounds of silver. As the peace delegation approached, Eochaid declared to his men, "Érevon buys her freedom not with gold and silver, but with iron!" and attacked the Frankish forces on his own authority, killing Thibaud Gagneux in personal combat.
By Ornamí, Prince Eochaid had chased the invading army north to the foothills of the Ardagarva, and by Amfómí the Franki had been driven from the country. But back in Oileán Darach, Prince Eochaid had been declared an outlaw for his defiance of the will of the Seanad. When he returned to the capital at the head of his victorious army, the Seanad moved to arrest him. But the people came out to support him and rose up against the Seanad, declaring Eochaid their king by acclamation. When Eochaid entered Hall of the Seanad with the support of the army and the people, he was acknowledged as king by both the Seanad and the Tionól Treibhe in turn, becoming the founder of the Sixth Dynasty and the Third Kingdom.
Over many centuries, the clan-based political customs of Érevon had evolved into a complex feudal system of land administration, military obligations and alliances, and a stratified noble class who enjoyed varying degrees of autonomy and authority over the lands and people they controlled. The overthrow of the Fourth Dynasty in 842 BCS brought about a period of gradually increasing tyranny by the Muimnean kings of the Fifth Dynasty, who ruled the Second Kingdom from 841 - 715 BCS.
Although initially they exhibited only minimal concern with the hardships heaped upon the common people by the increasingly corrupt administrations of the Muimnean despots, the Érevish nobility became more and more alarmed as a succession of Muimnean kings raised the taxes, broadened the levies and increased the fees upon their lands. When King Conaing Anramhar (738 - 727 BCS) issued the Foraithne Pionóis (Decree of Fealty) in 733 BCS, which restricted the rights and privileges to which they had become accustomed, many of the Érevish nobility began to speak openly against the crown.
Adding to the instability, crop failures caused by drought from 732 - 728 BCS led to widespread food shortages, resulting in the 727 BCS "Bread Riots" in the streets of the capital. When King Conaing died that year and his young son Cainneach rose to the throne, the stage was set for the insurrection that would follow. By continuing his father's efforts to subjugate the people and consolidate the power, lands and wealth of the Érevish nobility to himself, King Cainneach earned the cognomen Deascach (the Despot). In the twelfth year of his reign the people and the nobility rose up together against him, killing him in his palace and carrying his severed head on a spear through the streets.
Having deposed the hated King Cainneach, the Érevish nobility set about consolidating their rule over the country, convening at Oileán Darach as the first Comhdháil Éiremhónaigh (Assembly of Érevon), where they devised a constitution for self-government. In order to replace the leadership of the overthrown king, a new office was created, called the Údarás (Authority), consisting of three Uachtaráin (Superiors) elected by the Comhdháil and answerable to it, who would rule jointly for terms of three to five years. The Superiors of the First Authority are listed as Urien mac Damhán Ó Dubhshláin, Gallchobhar mac Ardghal mac Nuallán and Eadbhárd An Ó hÍcidhe.
A system of divided power regulated by clear checks and balances developed rapidly, and prosperity returned to the country. In time, the Comhdháil was divided into the Seanad (Senate), consisting of the titled nobility, and the Tionól Treibhe ("Assembly of Clans"), consisting of clan and tribal chieftains. The leadership role of the Údarás was respected, but the power of the individual Uachtarán was limited by the need to work with each other and the Seanad, which was initially an advisory council, but gradually grew in size and power.
[Add description of increasing ineffectiveness due to broadening and intensifying class conflict between the Senate and the Assembly of Tribes]
In 621 BCS Érevon came under attack from the north, when hoards of Franki swarmed through the passes of the Ardagarv Mountains into the Corrail River valley. Marching south toward Oileán Darach, the Frankish army pillaged the countryside. The Seanad appointed the Irialian Prince Eochaid mac Feidlimid Ó hAnnagáin to the position of Giúistís Armraigh ("Magistrate Martial") and tasked him with defending the Commonwealth.
On 19 Seachmonat 621 BCS, the Frankish army under the leadership of a tribal chieftain named Thibaud Gagneux and the Érevish forces under Prince Eochaid faced each other across the Sruthán River ten miles north of Oileán Darach at Áthéadomhain. By all contemporary accounts, the Érevish forces were vastly outnumbered. Hearing of the disparity of strength, and fearing for their own personal safety, the Seanad ordered Eochaid to withdraw and sent a delegation to sue for peace, along with wagons bearing 200 pounds of gold and 1000 pounds of silver. As the peace delegation approached, Eochaid declared to his men, "Érevon buys her freedom not with gold and silver, but with iron!" and attacked the Frankish forces on his own authority, killing Thibaud Gagneux in personal combat.
By Ornamí, Prince Eochaid had chased the invading army north to the foothills of the Ardagarva, and by Amfómí the Franki had been driven from the country. But back in Oileán Darach, Prince Eochaid had been declared an outlaw for his defiance of the will of the Seanad. When he returned to the capital at the head of his victorious army, the Seanad moved to arrest him. But the people came out to support him and rose up against the Seanad, declaring Eochaid their king by acclamation. When Eochaid entered Hall of the Seanad with the support of the army and the people, he was acknowledged as king by both the Seanad and the Tionól Treibhe in turn, becoming the founder of the Sixth Dynasty and the Third Kingdom.
PART OF A SERIES ON
ÉREVISH HISTORY
ÉREVISH HISTORY
The Commonwealth of Érevon
(An Comhlathas n'Érevonaigh)715 - 621 BCS
Preceded by:
Second Kingdom
Followed by:
Third Kingdom
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