Homestead Village Monarchy: 1423-1971, 1971-2005
The Kingdom of Homestead Village, which existed from 1423 to 2005, represented the most largely unchanged time period in Sternbergopolan government history. Until 1971, Homestead Village was an absolute monarchy, meaning there was solely one ruler, and the rights and privileges of citizens were completely at the mercy of the monarch (a king or queen). While this was generally not a problem, there have been times when this power was abused, resulting in many reforms and new laws, and eventually a new Constitution, which made Homestead Village a constitutional monarchy, or a monarchy with a parliament and other officials that represented the people, and were responsible for the running of the nation.
During the centuries in which Homestead Village was an absolute monarchy, while the government remained the same, this was a time of rapid expansion by annexation of neighbouring kingdoms, and other territories as well.
During the centuries in which Homestead Village was an absolute monarchy, while the government remained the same, this was a time of rapid expansion by annexation of neighbouring kingdoms, and other territories as well.
The Beginning of the Royal Family
The first monarch Nathaniel I, who was a nephew of Seymour Persyton. His last name (and last names of every monarch after), though not usually mentioned as part of the Royal Title, is Xactalon-Persyton, with Xactalon being the hyphenated last name of the Nathaniel I's mother, Marianne. The last name stayed in the family until the last monarch and known blood relative of the Perystons, James VII passed away in 2004. Other married relatives still exist today.
Introduction of Earthen Belief Systems and Other Ideas
In 1523, Edward Ferrell (along with the help of his followers), became the first person to teleport to Earth and back using his scientific theories, and building on the foundation of other scientists before him. Upon return, the ideas of Earth religions such as Christianity and Islam, were spread across Homestead Village. Animals, clothing trends, and even last names were taken interest in by Homesteaders. Earth ideas became so popular on Planet May that they began to outweigh original traits, and this even continues today, with such easy communication with Earth.
Key's Kingdom
Contrary to popular belief, the first kingdom to be officially purchased by Homestead Village was not a small territory adjacent to Homestead Village; it was instead a large kingdom on the West Coast, discovered by exploration. It was agreed that the purchase would be economically helpful to the financially struggling kingdom because if its isolation and inability to trade. After the purchase in 1684, it took several years before the first land trade route was established. In the meantime, sea trade was common, and Homestead Village sailors found many other coastal kingdoms in their travels, all of which eventually became part of Homestead Village. The decision to buy Key's Kingdom proved to be a success, resulting in a boost in the economy, and the introduction of new products to both areas.
The Three-Throne Murder of 1690
The first queen to take the crown in her youth was Charlotte I, in the spring of 1689. At this point in time, Homestead Village had become politically divided, based on the political beliefs of residents of the former Key's Kingdom, as well as the residents of the main kingdom. However, because an absolute monarchy was the form of government, nobody had a say in what went on in the Royal Palace, and the monarch chose which changes were to be put in place and how things were to work. This changed from monarch to monarch, and each tried to balance and satisfy the political needs of both groups. When John II died of health complications, teenager Charlotte I was crowned. She was just a child and too young to make any intelligent government decisions. Eventually, many citizens became impatient with the lack of change in government process, and many frustrated. Revolts took place, eventually leading to her murder by a commoner in 1690. Her younger brother, James III, was immediately crowned. But he, obviously younger than Charlotte, was of no help, and he was eventually murdered as well. Other high-ranking officials, after deciding it was a bad decision to crown such young rulers and devastated by two tragedies, decided on a temporary ruler that was more mature. A distant relative, Phillip I was chosen, and this was not well-received by others in the main Royal family. He was poisoned on 23 September 1690 by a butler in the Royal Palace after being heavily compensated with gold and other riches if he agreed to do so. Immediately afterward, the butler fled the Palace and was never seen again. The Royals involved in the crime were not punished because of their status, despite outcries for justice from the citizens. Many temporary rulers filled in until the only other child of John II, James I, was old enough to rule independently in 1694. All in all, three different monarchs were killed in the year 1690, making it one of the messiest and most tragic years in Sternbergopolan history.
Annexation of Magictopia
The second territory acquired by Homestead Village (though thought by many to be the first) was the Kingdom of Magictopia, in 1750. The two kingdoms had always had a friendly, noeighbour-like relationship, and the purchase and annexation of Magictopia was mutually agreed upon in 1749, and took place on 1 January 1750. With this, the Royal family of Magictopia married into the Royal family of Homestead Village, and a large addition was built on the Royal Palace south of Persyton. Also after this, Homestead Village formed a military for the first time in 1752, composed of an army and navy, after ongoing Nickelfordian threats worried officials.
First North Land Purchase
In 1798, half of what is today Griswold was empty territory in the "North Land" of May's Continent, and was purchased from several other kingdoms by Homestead Village to turn into agricultural land. However, this territory was heavily disputed by officials in the Republic of Nickelford. Because of this dispute, Homestead farmers feared expanding into the area, and because of this, it remained vacant until the turn of the millennium, when the dispute was settled and the land was officially handed over to Homestead authorities.
Orealasis Purchase and the Formation of Provinces
In the fall of 1800, neighbouring kingdom Orealasis came under revolution after corruption in their government. The Royal government of Orealasis sought nearby nations as potential governments to control the reckless revolts and distress in Orealasis. They had originally decided on Nickelford, since they had elected to make themselves a republic some 20 years before, and they felt a republic would be more fitting. However, since Homestead Village was connected, it would be easier to control and would expand the kingdom. On 19 November, the Orealasis Purchase was made. After this occurred, officials in Persyton felt that it would be easier to control the area if divided into separate sections. The main kingdom was divided into three commonwealths: Magictopia, Orealasis, and Parkerbury, which housed the capital city of Persyton until 2012. Land in Key's Kingdom was not divided, and remained a territory until it became a state, and later a Sternbergopolan province.
Second North Land Purchase
Nickelford was even more outraged in 1803 when Homestead Village arranged another purchase of neighbouring land to the originally disputed territory. However, being too far away from Nickelford itself this time, they did not dispute the territory, and the land has been used since then for rich dairy production, as well as other agriculture.
New Country Purchase
They don't call it "New Country" for nothing. In 1813, during an economic high time for Homestead Village, a series of kingdoms were dissolving and collapsing because the medieval feel and mindset of the world in the 1800s outraged the public. A large number of territories rendered government-less in a series of bloody revolutions ended up the largest territorial purchase for Homestead Village in history, bringing it another large step closer to continental domination. Spanning a total of six provinces, the New Country Purchase was named for its expansion into a direction in which few from Homestead Villagers had ever traveled before. It marked the beginning of a new era, and got many interested in expanding into the frontier and out of the increasingly crowded cities.
A Best Kept Secret: Karmis Island Exploration
With the growing feeling of exploring, expanding, and conquering, many people decided to experiment with territory not yet inhabited by man in the 1840s. Off the west coast is a long, skinny island called Karmis Island, now part of Sternbergopolis' largest province of West Beth and housing its capital city, in which many early sailors thought was an excellent getaway spot for families and friends for its scenic views and countryside. It is home to forests, mountains, beach, and many rolling hills and meadows. Once a secret hideaway, pioneers decided to settle on the land permanently, eventually building four mid-size and one large city, along with many small establishments in between. So many had begun moving there from their homes (usually Key's Kingdom or nearby other nations) that Homestead Village felt the need to put in place a proper law system and government structure. With other nations unable to do so with their crumbling economies and/or long distance from the island, officials in Persyton felt obligated to take on Karmis Island, and eventually claimed it in their name. When the West Beth Territory was acquired years later, it was decided that the island would be connected to it as the closest mainland province.
The Great Frontier: Beth
With the exploration of Karmis Island, sailors began to explore the nearby mainland above Key's Kingdom. Completely uninhabited by humans, the region had rolling hills of luscious farmland as far as the eye could see. Once owned by grand Middle Age kingdoms, the area had been reduced to no buildings except the ruins of ancient fortresses. In 1880, after much convincing, Homestead Village made its biggest investment of the time (and second biggest territorial acquisition), and bought what was called Beth's Land. It is now home to Sternbergopolis' largest provinces, largest amount of agricultural land, and some of its most visited tourist destinations. With the Beth Purchase, it was the end of an era for the old way of life, which included many small, independent kingdoms and large amounts of vast, unknown territory.
Technological Influence of Earth
Since the first exploration of Earth cultures in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, many traits had become popular and spread among people throughout the globe. This continued, but with increasingly more easy communication and travel milestones, more and more influence had been made on Homestead Village. Beginning in the mid-to-late 1800s, technological innovations from Earth, including automobiles, cameras, modern toilets, radio, telephone and telegraphy to name a few, became widespread throughout Homestead Village and other nations. Factories began developing their own models of products based on Earthen items while adding other unique and other innovative features, and manufacturing to the public. This is still a common practice today. To keep from interference with products from Earth-based companies, even though such companies would never know whether Sternbergopolan companies would ever interfere, a series of many laws, policies, and organisations have been made to protect copyrights and patents of corporations. Over the years, this has caused legal disputes, influenced campaigns, and even led to full-force riots, which has caused the idea of making our own version of Earthen inventions to become one of the most controversial matters in history. The debate still continues to this day. Technology also influenced the advancement, expansion, and development of Homestead Village from this time period onward.
Founding of The Sternberg Corporation
Born in 1896, James VII was the final monarch of Homestead Village. He took the throne at age six, following the death of his mother, Charlotte II. Because of the Three Throne Murder of 1690, many were against the decision, but his only older sibling had died years earlier, and the next closest mature relative was far too distant from the main bloodline to be able to take the throne. A year after taking the throne, James VII decided with advice of his family members to form a company that would manage commercial and trade responsibilities, rather than leaving them in his power due to his age. With this, Xactalon-Persyton Enterprises was founded, and headquartered in a new city, Xactalon-Persyton City, in Griswold. With the adoption of a new constitution in 1971, the government was very much reorganised and the governing rights and responsibilities of the company were removed for the most part. Nonetheless, the company had still grown into the nation's largest conglomerate, and in the years following James VII's death, X-P Enterprises became what is today The Sternberg Corporation, now headquartered in Persyton. At it's height in mid-2011, The Sternberg Corporation operated nearly 92% of all major brands and businesses in Stenrbergopolis, making it the largest monopoly in history. As per court order after new regulations to stop monopolies, The Sternberg Corporation was required to sell off, liquidate, and dissolve many of its assets, was required to completely replace the companies' board members and top executives, with the exception of Tyler Sternberg himself, and was put under a "probation" by the Sternbergopolis Department of Commerce to monitor unfair actions against competitors.
Wepost Purchase
In the mid 1930s, the Kingdom of Wepost became the Republic of Wepost after many years of uprisings. However, the newly formed republic was poorly set up Many had long thought that a sale to Homestead Village would be beneficial to them ,as it had been to others in the past. After many years of deliberation, Wepost officials reluctantly submitted a deal to Persyton involving a sale of the county, which was quickly accepted. The territories in the Wepost Purchase became the first "states" in Homestead Village, after the commonwealth system was discontinued.
Transition to a Constitutional Monarchy
With controversy and skepticism rising over Homestead Village's methods of growth across the continent, many Royal officials also felt that the lack of control over the monarch could easily lead to a potential issue that others had no power to stop. In order to satisfy themselves and others for the future, a draft of a constitution was written in 1969, which would allow for the formation of a Parliament. Though rejected at first, fearing it would end too many long-standing traditions, it was finally accepted by James VII and put into effect in 1971. The Parliament of Homestead Village had the power to somewhat limit the decisions of the monarch if they felt that they would negatively impact the country.
Idemedesa and Puzzle Point
At this point in history, there were four main territories left on May's Continent: Homestead Village, by far the largest, Nickelford, a second as far as economic and political strength, the land disputed between two, and finally, a small republic which had survived many years, and was divided into two divisions: Idemedesa (a native name), and Puzzle Point, named for the shape of a peninsula in the upper northwest corner of Sternbergopolis called Puzzle Point (Today, Puzzle Point is one of Sternbergopolis' most visited national parks). The two divisions operated mainly separately, which posed problems for the weak national government, eventually resulting in a collapse. Puzzle Point restructured itself and said it could survive independently, while Idemedesa was desperate for the assistance of Homestead Village, who came to the rescue. Idemedesa was purchased in 1950, and divided into two states.
Throughout the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, Puzzle Point remained independent, and it was noticeable. The economy was minuscule in comparison to that of Homestead Village and Nickelford, and the population was less than a quarter of that than the other two countries. Trade was difficult and expensive, and in an age where color television and microwave ovens were on the rise, many Puzzle Point residents were resentful of their earlier decisions to stay independent, and lost faith in their nation. Eventually, in 1987, the bottom fell through and Puzzle Point was taken under the wing of Homestead Village.
Throughout the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, Puzzle Point remained independent, and it was noticeable. The economy was minuscule in comparison to that of Homestead Village and Nickelford, and the population was less than a quarter of that than the other two countries. Trade was difficult and expensive, and in an age where color television and microwave ovens were on the rise, many Puzzle Point residents were resentful of their earlier decisions to stay independent, and lost faith in their nation. Eventually, in 1987, the bottom fell through and Puzzle Point was taken under the wing of Homestead Village.
The Effects of the Information Age and the Beginning of the Nickelfordian War
The introduction of computers and cell phones, and later, the Internet, sent shockwaves across many planets, but their impact left a lasting impression on Sternbergopolis, where its presence was seemingly intensified during the 1980s and even more so in the 1990s. Scientists in Homestead Village were fascinated by the Earthen products manufactured for the mass-market, and it spawned a revolution of technology companies popping up left and right, competing for the crown for consumer electronics. This period in history is the premise of the 2011 award-winning Sternbergopolan historical fiction drama movie EMBARGO, which is the account of two mentally unstable brothers who struggle to face numerous corporate and personal challenges to come out on top. Around the same time, the development and availability of the cellular telephone increased. James VII felt the devices would lead to division and anger among people, and would break many standard communication traditions. Homestead Village needed a way to establish a network for the phones to communicate, and a new phone number system. By 1993, when the Internet boom began, there were additional issues involving connections. Nevertheless, when people did connect to the Internet, ideas about a number of current issues, namely the division and tension between Homestead Village and Nickelford, spread throughout the continent. Nickelfordian forces were outraged with the ideas of the Villagers about them. War was waged twice; in 1998 and again in 2001, and the second time Homestead Village took no chances. They were involved in a war which last five years. It is sometimes said that the comment that put them over the edge was the website of opinion writer Darryl Lacker, PhD, who allegedly called the Nickelfordians "stubborn savages" in a 1997 news post.
The cell phone controversy also spawned a national debate which lasted many years, even after the death of James VII, until the National Standardisation of Modern Technologies Protocol (NSMTP) was passed in 2011.
The cell phone controversy also spawned a national debate which lasted many years, even after the death of James VII, until the National Standardisation of Modern Technologies Protocol (NSMTP) was passed in 2011.
The New Millennium and the Arrival of Tyler Sternberg
The year 2000 brought the announcement of many changes in Homestead Village, including a new adaption of the flag and national anthem, and the government's intent to begin conflict with Nickelford after they would not agree to release the dispute over the North Land Territory. Many were worried of a Nickelfordian invasion, as uncertainty as to what their intent was became common across Homestead Village. Other than these fears within, life seemed to continue as normal for most of the nation. This was until 2 April 2001.
As the police report tells it: "A disgruntled and restless toddler was seen being carried from the scene of a hovercraft crash behind a Softy's Nickel 'n Dime Donuts about 2 kilometres northwest of Sanford, Griswold. The child was being carried by an older woman who appears to be in her mid-60s, accompanied by another woman in her mid-20s, as well as a young man who appears to be wearing a FDP uniform, and they left the scene in a red three-door sedan that appears to be heading toward X-P City." It was later revealed that this is the report local police received when Tyler Sternberg, then a mindless three-year-old, accidentally crash landed in a valley in Griswold, and was being a rescued by a woman and her granddaughter, along with FDP Agent Eric Harrington, OSM, who were later recognised for their efforts. How the boy survived, how he got there, and what he was like because of his youth and home on Earth were catching eyes across the globe, and even graced to cover of the Persyton Gazette the next morning. He, being the first Earthling to ever successfully travel to Homestead VIllage, became an overnight celebrity. Just weeks later, a recreation of the events were made into a movie, Tyler and a follow-up sequel Tyler 2, months later. The movies were success, but many thought his fifteen minutes of fame would soon be over. Sternberg took the nation completely by surprise in August when he became a naturalised citizen of Homestead Village, and obviously accepted an offer for a reality television series based on his new life in a Homestead Village apartment with the guidance of others to take care of the toddler. We will not go in depth on the events immediately following his television debut, but we can discuss that Sternberg got a job in November 2002 as a receptionist and press correspondent to James VII in the Royal Palace. James enjoyed his presence so much that he named him his successor unbeknownst to him, since he had no blood relatives left and one stepson, who had a prominent criminal past.
(More can be read about Tyler Sternberg on his personal page.)
As the police report tells it: "A disgruntled and restless toddler was seen being carried from the scene of a hovercraft crash behind a Softy's Nickel 'n Dime Donuts about 2 kilometres northwest of Sanford, Griswold. The child was being carried by an older woman who appears to be in her mid-60s, accompanied by another woman in her mid-20s, as well as a young man who appears to be wearing a FDP uniform, and they left the scene in a red three-door sedan that appears to be heading toward X-P City." It was later revealed that this is the report local police received when Tyler Sternberg, then a mindless three-year-old, accidentally crash landed in a valley in Griswold, and was being a rescued by a woman and her granddaughter, along with FDP Agent Eric Harrington, OSM, who were later recognised for their efforts. How the boy survived, how he got there, and what he was like because of his youth and home on Earth were catching eyes across the globe, and even graced to cover of the Persyton Gazette the next morning. He, being the first Earthling to ever successfully travel to Homestead VIllage, became an overnight celebrity. Just weeks later, a recreation of the events were made into a movie, Tyler and a follow-up sequel Tyler 2, months later. The movies were success, but many thought his fifteen minutes of fame would soon be over. Sternberg took the nation completely by surprise in August when he became a naturalised citizen of Homestead Village, and obviously accepted an offer for a reality television series based on his new life in a Homestead Village apartment with the guidance of others to take care of the toddler. We will not go in depth on the events immediately following his television debut, but we can discuss that Sternberg got a job in November 2002 as a receptionist and press correspondent to James VII in the Royal Palace. James enjoyed his presence so much that he named him his successor unbeknownst to him, since he had no blood relatives left and one stepson, who had a prominent criminal past.
(More can be read about Tyler Sternberg on his personal page.)
New May
At the age of 106, when James VII began ailing, he decided one of the things he had always wanted to do was change the name of the country, for a "Village" was originally used for the small settlement surrounding Persyton, and it was not anticipated that it would be the largest country in the Izorp Galaxy. Around the same time, after an ongoing war in Nickelford for two years, Nickelford dropped the dispute over the other part of the North Land Territory and officially handed it over to James, making Griswold officially a state. Feeling it would be a good time to do so, James VII confided in his top-ranking officials (including Tyler Sternberg) to come up with a national name and new flag that embodied a "rebirth."The name "New May" was decided on, and debuted, along with a new flag, on 23 July 2003. Formally "The Kingdom of New May," the name seemed to stick with many across the nation, and praised James VII for his decision.
The End of the Xactalon-Persyton Reign
Though always very healthy, James VII was 108 years old, becoming the longest living and longest reigning monarch in the history of the nation. After fighting off an infection for a number of months, it seemed that he had finally gotten better. He went back to work at X-P Enterprises and returned to the Royal Palace in March 2004. At round 8:00 PM on 7 March, James' last words, "Make sure you turn off the main lights." were spoken to Tyler Sternberg. He passed away the following morning. He was 108 years, one month, and 12 days old.
In the reading of his Last Will & Testament, the first and only one of a Royal family member to be televised (it appeared on an episode of Tyler: The Series), it was anticipated that James would leave everything, including the throne, to his stepson, James Fade. Fade was the son of socialites Frederick "Spike" Fade III and Katrina McCormick Fade, who later remarried James VII. Because of his age, the rest of the Royal family had not lasted and did not have any biological children. The next closest blood relatives were far too distant to even be traceable. However, he took the world by surprise when it was written in his Will that everything, his possessions, his company, his fortune, and the entire country were to be put in the hands of none other than Tyler Sternberg. This was not well-received by the public, and many protested that he could not handle the throne because of his age and lack of political expertise. Others argued that because of his nationality and blood relation to the monarch that he was eligible to be king. Some argued that a monarch is not allowed to choose his/her successors by way of Will. However, the Supreme Court of New May ruled in The Royal Government of New May v. Sternberg that Sternberg was entitled to the throne, as well as his palace, X-P Enterprises, and other assets. On 26 March 2004, Tyler Sternberg was officially crowned Tyler I of New May, and was elected the CEO and Chairman of X-P Enterprises. Though it was not yet known, Sternberg would be the last monarch of New May.
In the reading of his Last Will & Testament, the first and only one of a Royal family member to be televised (it appeared on an episode of Tyler: The Series), it was anticipated that James would leave everything, including the throne, to his stepson, James Fade. Fade was the son of socialites Frederick "Spike" Fade III and Katrina McCormick Fade, who later remarried James VII. Because of his age, the rest of the Royal family had not lasted and did not have any biological children. The next closest blood relatives were far too distant to even be traceable. However, he took the world by surprise when it was written in his Will that everything, his possessions, his company, his fortune, and the entire country were to be put in the hands of none other than Tyler Sternberg. This was not well-received by the public, and many protested that he could not handle the throne because of his age and lack of political expertise. Others argued that because of his nationality and blood relation to the monarch that he was eligible to be king. Some argued that a monarch is not allowed to choose his/her successors by way of Will. However, the Supreme Court of New May ruled in The Royal Government of New May v. Sternberg that Sternberg was entitled to the throne, as well as his palace, X-P Enterprises, and other assets. On 26 March 2004, Tyler Sternberg was officially crowned Tyler I of New May, and was elected the CEO and Chairman of X-P Enterprises. Though it was not yet known, Sternberg would be the last monarch of New May.
