Susquehanockland (The Kalmar Union)

Susquehanockland is a medium-sized constitutional monarchy in Eastern Leifia. It is bordered by Álengiamark, Aniyunwiya, Yesanland and Powhatanland. The capital is Conestoga and the population is around 3 million.

The official language is Susquehanock but Aniyunwiyan and Álengsk are also widely spoken.

The Head of State is King Chiroe V.

The currency is the Susquehanock Haka (SQH).

History
The Susquehanock tribe(s) were first. As they picked up horse-riding techniques and iron weapons from the Norse settlers in Álengiamark they indulged in vicious internecine warfare alongside regular attacks on the Western extremeties of Álengsk settlement. Meanwhile their merchants began to trade extensively up and down the Atlantic coast. The early medieval Susquehanock state was soon overwhelmed however by Edoha and the rapidly expanding Aniyuwiyan Empire. Annexed, it was divided up between various Aniyunwiyan lords and was eventually handed to Edoha's daughter, Atamaja. Under her rule Álengsk lords slowly resurfacing after a generation under Aniyunwiyan dominance began to grab tracts of land out in the new territories.

After the disintegration of the First Aniyunwiyan Empire Álengiamark was left in control of a huge swathe of land without the necessary military capacity, or central authority, to hold it. The marcher lords, most holding little loyalty to St. Hafdiss, attempted to impose feudal values on the scattered Unami populations and this did little but stir up unrest. In 1386 the Susquehanock joined in the widespread revolt against Álengsk rule. A year later the combined forces of the oppressed nations heavily defeated the Álengsk at Kristjanabae and were rewarded at the Congress of Fjallasay with independence. The Susquehanock were left with the southern portion of Álengiamark's territory roughly between the Susquehanna and Patawomeke rivers.

Although they had initially rejected Álengsk style feudalism they had adopted Christianity and church lands helped maintain a certain cohesion to the new state, especially as the smaller tribes ine the area had had no option but to be pressed into the new state. Wars against their southern neighbours while achieving little in the way of territory or riches helped strengthen the hand of the kings and by the eve of the Wars of Leifian Religion they had assumed autocratic powers. A navy gave Susquehanock purchase on the Atlantic and when Europe began the scramble for the Taino and Carib islands it seized the easternmost portion of the Lucayan islands in 1555. The same year Susquehanock traders were killed ina dispute in Rome which would lead to a general petition to the Pope to gain proper recognition for the Christian Leifian states as equals to the European states.

By the mid-17th century the noble and merchant classes could rival those in North-East Leifia or even Europe in terms of lavishly built manors and commissioned artworks. Those able to were educated expensively and privately and for most of the 18th century Álengsk replaced Susquehanock as the language of court whereas the peasantry were steadily disenfranchised, brutalised and used as cannon fodder. The reaction against the aloof mis-rule of the nobility fed into a civil war between radical and moderate parties in 1808-9. Although victorious, the much chastened autocratic monarchy hobbled on until it was laid low by another civil revolt in 1818 as the 'Leifian Crisis' took hold in Eastern Leifia and the state finances finally fell apart.

After three years of disruption the radical republican Yesanland army occupied Conestoga precipitating intevention from Álengiamark and Powhatanland. The Yesan-Susquehanock War led to a return of a limited monarchy to power in Susquehanockland and the growth of much closer ties between the states.

The economy is mostly based on agriculture but almost all Aniyunwiyan exports go through the Susquehanock port of Errhonon and hence it is well-connected by rail and canal to its western neighbour.

Government
Susquehanockland is a constitutional monarchy governed by a bicameral 'Minq' with elections held every four years. The monarch only has very limited powers.

The head of state is King Chiroe V and his Prime Minister is Nottaway Kanas.