Livonia (Principia Moderni III Map Game)

The Duchy of Livonia (Livonian: Hercogiste Livomo) is a small nation in north-eastern Europe. Since its declaration of independence from the Kingdom of Prussia in 1594, the nation has been led by Hercog Jaagup Vaalgamaa Jelgavast.

Early History
The region currently owned by the Duchy of Livonia was first settled many millenia ago by Aestii, as the Roman scholar Tacitus would call them. The Aestii were a Balto-Finnic people who lived primarily in Estonia, Courland, and Livonia. The Aestii would become the predecessors of the Estonians, Courlanders, and Livonians.

The Aestii then split off into two distinct groups - one that adopted the Slavo-Baltic languages and one that maintained the Balto-Finnic languages. The two would coexist in the Baltic region for quite some time in ancient history.

Livonian Crusades
By the 1200s, feudalism and religious furor spurrend many Germans into the region to go crusading.

Under Prussia
By 1400, there were only 5 nations in the Baltic region: the Teutonic Order (later as Prussia), the Bishopric of Dorpat, Bishoprtic of Courland, Bishopric of Osel-Wiek, and the Archbishopric of Riga. In 1410, the Bishopric of Dorpat fell under the Archbishopric of Riga, which was then alligned with Prussia.

Independence
Redistribution of land

Close to serfdom

Government
The government of the Duchy of Livonia a feudal hereditary duchy that operates under the frameworks established by the Holy Roman Empire. The government is led by the Duke of Livonia, currently Jaagup I Vaalgamaast, who maintains fealty and vassalization contracts with his vassals.

The Duke is a de jure vassal of the Holy Roman Emperor, Wolfgang I von Habsburg.

Divisions
Note: Italics represent an autonmous vassal that is not a de jure part of the Duchy of Livonia but ruled by a Count who swears vassalage to the Hercog.

The Duchy of Livonia is comprised of 1 archbishopric, 1 bishopric, 4 free cities, 10 counties, and 5 margraviates.

All vassals are listed by type, and then clockwise from 12 o'clock. Gold - Archbishopric of Riga Yellow - Bishopric of Dorpat Light Blue - Counties Dark Blue - Margraviates]]'''Duchy of Livonia
 * '''[[File:Livonian_Sub-divisions_(1594).png|thumb|300px|Green - Free Cities
 * Coat_of_Arms_of_the_Archbishopric_of_Riga.pngishopric of Riga
 * Bishopric of Dorpat
 * Free City of Narva
 * Free City of Wenden
 * Free City of Riga
 * Free City of Reval
 * County of
 * County of
 * County of
 * County of
 * County of
 * County of
 * County of
 * County of
 * County of
 * County of
 * Margraviate of Aluksne
 * Margraviate of Rezekne
 * Margraviate of Daugavpils
 * Margraviate of Selpils
 * Margraviate of Koknese
 * County of Osel-Wiek (Saare-Laane)
 * County of Courland (Kuramo)

Military
The military of Livonia is the Livonian Maavagi,

Culture
The culture of Livonia is predominantly based upon the Balto-Finnic tradition, but also comprises a unique blend of Finnic, Baltic, Slavic, and Germanic cultures.

Art
Art in Livonia is largely religious, but also has some Renaissance elements (as a result of the proximity to Pskov)

Architecture
Late Medieval Architecture, normally people live in small houses and serfs formerly lived in huts

Language
Most similar to OTL Estonian

Religion
Western Church

Foreign Relations
The foreign relations of Livonia, while still being developed by the Duke and other officials, tend to be positive with a majority of nearby nations.

The first major nation to reach out to Livonia was, ironically, the Kingdom of Prussia from whom Livonia had split. This odd coincidence was because

As a member of the Holy Roman Empire, the Duchy of Livonia is under the protection of the Holy Roman Emperor, and therefore Austria.

Other nearby nations and there foreign relations are listed below.
 * Poland -- No formal relations, neutral
 * Russia -- No formal relations, neutral
 * Pskov -- Positive relations
 * Scandinavia -- No formal relations, neutral
 * Hamburg -- No formal relations, positive

To Do
An OOC list of things I want to accomplish.
 * University of Riga
 * Fertilizers
 * Water mills
 * Wheat
 * Paper
 * Textiles industry
 * Build this and this