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| Capital (and largest city) |
Chemnitz | ||||
| Language | German | ||||
| Prince | Henry XXXIV | ||||
| Director | Richard Schulze | ||||
| Population | 420,600 | ||||
| Currency | SXM | ||||
The Principality of Reuss, Reuss, Reuss-Chemnitz, is a small constitutional monarchy in central Europe. It is bordered by Electoral Saxony to the east and west, Ducal Saxony (Saxe-Altenburg) and Mugeln to the north and has a short border with Bohemia to the south. It is a member state of the Holy Roman Empire. The capital is Chemnitz and the population around 420,000.
The Head of State is Prince Henry XXXIV.
The official language is German.
The currency is the Saxon Mark (SXM).
History[]
The Principality of Reuss is the last remaining territory of the princely house of Reuss which once governed lands directly to the west. Originally a division of the Margraviate of Meissen, the March of Zeitz was split off during the reign of Emperor Olaf and was given to the Reuss family. The Reuss' did not practice primogeniture so their lands were constantly divided and reintegrated. By the eve of the Reformation much of the old March was in the hands of Saxony, about to be divided into Ducal and Electoral. Those lands which remained under the Reuss' were mostly inherited by Electoral Saxony, either by marriage or by treaty, as its various branches died out in the early 18th century. The eastern-most Reuss branch, now with their lands around Chemnitz, was well-rewarded for its alliance with Electoral Saxony and did not suffer the same fate.
Control over various mining towns in the Ore Mountains made the local princes relatively wealthy (and making it a favoured raiding area for the Hussites) and Chemnitz was centre of the textile trade in medieval times. As the Industrial Revolution gathered pace the city became one of German's leading industrial towns and a centre of innovation. A relatively liberal constitution has not stopped a strong Syndicalist movement from developing amongst the considerable working class.
Government[]
Reuss is governed by a bicameral diet elected every four years. The constitution is consciously modelled after Electoral Saxony's, and leaves little power for the reigning princes who tend to devote their time to philanthropy.
The Reuss family's main claim to fame is the eccentric numbering system of its rulers. All male members of the Reuss dynasty, even stillborn sons, are named 'Henry' in deference to Emperor Henry VI who raised the family to princes, and are given a number from 1-100, thereafter the numbers begin again.
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