Commonwealth War (Principia Moderni IV Map Game)

The Commonwealth War (Dutch: Oorlog van het Gemenebest) was a military conflict between the British Empire, its former colonies in Arcadia (known as Commonwealth nations, for their membership in the British Commonwealth); New England, Avalon, and Savanna, and the Burgundian Empire, its dominion Borealia, and its allies in the Pan-Arcadian Congress; Texas, Vinland, and Aztlan. The conflict was caused by Borealian ambitions to unify the region of the Arcadian northeast, a process that had begun in 1882 with its formation from Burgundy’s former colonies.

The conflict is often considered a continuation of the Anglo-Burgundian Wars, a series of conflicts between the two historic rivals dating back to the sixteenth century. In addition to returning the provinces in Arcadia that the British had seized from them, the Kingdom of Burgundy sought to challenge British naval dominance, while affirming its influence and position in Arcadia at Britain’s expense. Additionally, the conflict can be seen as the first true test to the newly formed Pan-Arcadian Congress, solidifying the alliance as a major force in the continent’s geopolitics. The war also directly led to the nations of Vinland and Aztlan being accepted into the Congress after their support for the Congress in the war, paving the war for future political expansion of the organization.

The war began on 19 July 1886 with a Borealian and Burgundian strike against the British allies in Arcadia, and within the year had made significant progress against them. Major victories at the battles of Koebecstad and Manchester effectively neutralized the war effort in Avalon, and in 1887 their capital at Ottawa fell. New England faced attacks in the Bilzen enclave, where their forces were disconnected from the rest of the military, as well as south toward the capital of New Gwynedd. In the east their more distant territories faced attacks from members of the Congress. The nation of Savanna faced an invasion from Texas and the Burgundian colonies of Maryland, Kuba, and Guyana, capturing the territories formerly held by Texas and Maryland respectively. On sea Burgundy achieved its goal of establishing naval dominance, effectively blockading Britain after a major victory in the North Sea. A second blockade off the coast of Arcadia defeated both Britain and its allies, limiting any aid that Britain could send to Arcadia directly. As a result a ceasefire was called in 1887, and the Treaty of New Gwynedd formally ended the war.