Aschaffenberg (The Kalmar Union)

The County of Aschaffenberg, Aschaffenberg, is a small constitutional monarchy in central Europe. It is bordered by Hesse-Darmstadt, Wurzburg, Jagstberg, Hohenlohe and Palatinate. The capital is Aschaffenberg and the population around 169,000.

The official language is German.

The Head of State is Count Konrad II

The currency is the Aschaffenberg Taler (AFT). This is now pegged to the Hohenlohe Taler (HLT) as efforts to form a customs union continue.

History
Originally part of the Archbishopric of Mainz, the Mainzer Oberstift, like many other Lutheran-leaning Mainz lands it was separated off in 1547 following the First Schmalkaldic War. The Lutheran 'take-over' of Aschaffenberg was not as complete as the Schmalkaldic League may have wished and the 2nd independent Count, Philip I, returned it to the Catholic fold in 1560 though did not go so far as to return it to Mainz's control.

Its position in central Germany meant, like its neighbours, it was repeatedly occupied and generally devastated by the Fifty Years War, its population is supposedly still below its pre-war level. Philip I's grandson Christian briefly served as commander of the Bavarian army during the Fifty Years War, commanding it at the disastrous Battle of Buxtehude which almost ruined it as a functioning force.

During the 18th century the county was partioned multiple times into 5 smaller entities though it has slowly recombined as lines die out. One of Aschaffenberg's old exclaves, Aschaffenberg-Külsheim, is still independent. Partially as a result of this reconstruction the current Count, Konrad II, has been a firm advocate of the mediatisation of the minor states of Germany. Though this idea has foundered as of late he has been, since 2018, in discussion with his counterparts in neighbouring states to create a customs union.

The county is mostly reliant on agriculture and forestry and a busy harbour on the Main River, though the Huth Industries factory in Aschaffenberg city is pioneering advances in hydraulics.

Government
Under Konrad I's reforms of the 1960s Aschaffenberg is regarded as one of the most liberal states of the Empire. It is governed by a single-chambered Diet with elections every three years. Though the populace is majority Catholic the government is officially secular. Furthermore the public are permitted to submit legislation for public referenda, provided they reach enough support within the Diet beforehand.

The franchise was extended to every male over 21 in 1987, and every woman over 21 in 2010.