Dasamongueponkland (The Kalmar Union)

The Yarldom of Dasmongueponkland, Dasmongueponkland, is a medium sized constitutional monarchy on the East coast of Leifia. It shares borders with Powhatanland, Tuscaron and Catawbaland. The capital is Aquascogoc and the popluation around 637,000.

The official language is Dasmonguese but this is actually more of a group of related languages. There is a significant Scandinavian minority who tend to speak Danish although most Dasamonguese are bilingual.

The head of state is Yarl Manteo VIII.

It is part of the Powhatan Customs Union and uses the Powhatan Kronu (PWK)

History
Vinlandic explorers travelling down the Leifian coast in the 1000s skirted the edge of the long sandy islands passing the Dasmonguese on the mainland. It would not be until 1120 that contact was first made with the peoples inhabiting the peninsula that now gives its name to the entire country. Used to the haphazard and violent native Leifian tribes of Myrland and the south the Vinlanders were surprised to find the Dasmonguese were largely peaceful and had well-ordered villages. Iron and cattle had already reached them via the spreading trading links but they had so far avoided the disease that normally spread with them.

With the calm bays behind the barrier islands a useful stopping off point for Vinlandic trade southwards a close relationship blossomed and a small Norse settlement grew up on Bílgyjar though this never grew beyond 75 people. The chief of the Dasmonguese was given the honorific Yarl of Dasmongueponkland and it was probably only Vinland's protectiveness over various tribal states of the area that prevented their absorbsion into Álengiamark. The tribe and its allies were baptised in 1131 and the stave church at Hatteras was the most southerly Leifian outpost of christianity for several centuries.

While the Yarls, with judicious use of Norse war tactics, eventually came to rule a large area the country's old power structures were comprehensively defeated and swept away by the conquests of the Aniyunwiyan Empire in the 1230s. Falling under the sphere of several Aniyunwiyan successor kingdoms it finally gained a semblence of independence after the splintering of the 2nd Empire in 1482 however its population had largely dissapated as the Aniyuwiyan governors (especially during the 2nd Empire) were ruthless in stripping out wealth and seizing farmland. The already small population was devasted by an eruption of Black Death and the restored Yarls would end up paying the Earls of Nanticokeland to the North for protection, paid for by a increase in tobacco farming. The restoration of Christian rule was, however, appreciated in Rome and a crown was sent to Yarl Manteo II to formalise his rule in 1505.

The country's absolute nadir came in 1625 during the 1st Mexic-Leifian War when almost a third of the male population was wiped out at the Battle of Ouachiw after an Álengsk commander ignored orders to fall back. Again, it was only the political disfunction of Álengiamark which prevented an outright annexation. However the weakness of the Dasmonguese state meant it would never join its neighbours in building its own merchant navy or trading directly with Europe or Africa.

In 1714 to address the severe lack of population and to boost the economy the government made large tracts of land available to settlers for a 5 year window. Whilst many Leifians would take up the offer of land a large number of settlers came from overseas and now 1 in 7 Dasmonguese are of Scandianavian descent or 'Dasmonsk'. Álengiamark and Catawbaland fought a proxy war over Dasamongueponkland's southern border in 1837. The long history of Norse settlement, influence and domination has set the country apart from its neighbours somewhat; indeed some historians have called it 'more Álengsk than Algonquin'. However, despite differing cultures it joined Powhatanland and Tuscaron in the Powhatan Customs Union in 1941, a move which has made great strides in boosting the Dasamonquese economy and raising living standards. A movement away from tobacco farming towards fruits and cereals has made food cheaper and more plentiful which many hope will lead to a population boom.

Government
Dasamongueponkland is governed by a single chambered 'Werting' with elections held every five years.

The current head of state is Yarl Manteo VIII and the leader of government (Director) is Neiosi Winginsson.