Kingdom of Æðelstan

The Kingdom of Æðelstan (Also known as Athelstan) is a kingdom that was raised into prominence from 3000 BCE until 550 CE before being integrated into Varic Empire. Valued for tin deposits in the bronze age many nations began trading with it, enabling the kingdom of Æðelstan to become a, although after the bronze age its significance and influence lessened.

The Kingdom of Æðelstan is estimated to have occupied Renesia, parts of northern Galvia, western Ecoralia and eastern TBD at its peak.

Etymology
Æðelstan can be divided into two words, æðel meaning "noble" and stan meaning "stone". The Kingdom was named after the Athelstan mountain, where the tin deposit was and Groendaal, the capital city of Æðelstan, are located.

History
Not much is known about the first establishment of Æðelstan other than that its rise can be attributed to the start of the bronze age. Æðelstan was known to be a regional trade and diplomatic power which kept other militaristic kingdoms from invading it because of its web of alliances and trade strength.

Æðelstan had a large deposit of with easy access compared to other areas, as tin is important in making  it made the other kingdoms seek a friendlier relationship with Æðelstan. The flourishing trade allowed the kingdom to subjugate neighbouring minor states by either conquest or diplomatic integration.

High kingdom of Æðelstan
Around 2800 BCE kingdom of Æðelstan managed to convince surrounding kingdoms to join together and form the, it was also known as the sister Kingdoms period because King [Name] of Æðelstan had secured the marriage between his daughters and the heir apparent of the other kingdoms strengthening the bond between them. The high kingdom of Æðelstan acted more like a loose with the rulership of the entire high kingdom going to one of the large kingdoms after the death of the previous king in a.

The high kingdom of Æðelstan consisted of 4 large kingdoms that rule the High kingdom in rotation and 5 'lesser' kingdoms:-


 * The large kingdoms are considered to contribute the most to the high kingdom whether its military, diplomatically, or economically and are expected to defend or help the lesser kingdoms when the need arises:
 * Kingdom of Æðelstan, records show that the kingdom of Æðelstan was the economic powerhouse that financed the high kingdom's projects and helped the other kingdoms by monetary means, although it was the weakest militarily.
 * Kingdom of Neschinas, many records show that Neschinas was a melting pot of all neighbouring cultures and that it was the one that resolved diplomatic issues whether it was internally or externally.
 * Kingdom of Koningspont, records show that Koningspont was the main sword and shield of the high kingdom, and its military surpassed any in the high kingdom.
 * Kingdom of Drachen, there are not many records on Drachen, although records did state that Drachen had the second most powerful military and economy in the high kingdom.


 * The lesser kingdoms did not contribute as much as the larger kingdoms, but they acted as an anchor of stability and can be attributed to the prolonging reign of the high kingdom:
 * Kingdom of Ilona
 * Kingdom of Yaro
 * Kingdom of Snelhook
 * Kingdom of TBD
 * Kingdom of TBD

The fall and dissolution of the high kingdom can be credited to the rotation of succession and the for each of the kingdoms culminated in 1345 BCE in the war of [Name] in which [Name] faction which consisted of Koningspont, Snelhook, TBD, TBD and Yaro kingdoms declaring war on the high kingdom and seceding from it. The [Name] faction won gaining independence and land which left the high kingdom weak.

First league of Ilona
With a weakened high kingdom, a sprung from the kingdom of Ilona that spread across neighbouring kingdoms. The royal family in the kingdom of Ilona was overthrown and executed before the kingdom of Æðelstan was able to send any reinforcement, which led [Name] to form the republic of Ilona. The newly formed republic of Ilona launched a campaign against Æðelstan, Drachen and Neschinas kingdoms, subjugating them and forming the League of Ilona.

League of Ilona was trade and maritime-focused and was known for its naval supremacy in the [Name] sea (which is known as Onse bay today). The League's Naval and trade supremacy helped them establish several (also known as Ilonan states) in the region furthering their domination in the [Name] sea. The Ilonan states were expected to give tributes, protect the from  and  and join or provide support in any war, in exchange for the league of Ilona will protect from any invasions and integrate them into their trade network.

Constant raids and invasions by the High Kingdom of Urland kept the league of Ilona weak and disperse as the Urlic host divided into several bannermen and attack several targets simultaneously, which made the league constantly unable to defend its territory. The prestige and credibility of the league were always under threat from the constant Urlic raids and took considerable efforts to maintain the status quo with its members and client states.

League of Ilona lasted for almost 1000 years and established a dozen of new cities such as Renes and Midledon to better control the Pon river before succumbing to the [Name] civil war, ending their domination over the region.

Kingdom of Æðelstan
The kingdom of Æðelstan managed to become the dominant power after the civil war integrating and uniting other members of the Ilonan League in 185 CE. Although, the civil war did take its toll on the kingdom of Æðelstan leaving it a weak state and unable to re-establish the League of Ilona's client states. However, trading with its neighbours Ecoral kingdoms helped Æðelstan recover rapidly and re-establish old trade routes. As such, it enabled Æðelstan to wage war against neighbouring small states and expand its borders southwards.

Although, in 440 CE Æðelstan became stagnant with people emigrating from the kingdom to other neighbouring states, slowing down its economic activity and reducing its military power. Many attribute this to the high tax rate set by King [Name] and the prosperity of bordering nations.

Nevertheless, King [Name] managed to reform the economic policies and the army in 503 CE. After King [Name]'s death in 518 BCE, King Burchard IV of Æðelstan took the throne and improved the economy of Æðelstan even further, but curtailed the military from improving over suspicion of plotting against the throne.

Varic empire conquest
In 550 CE the Varic empire sought to expand its territory after a long period of growth and prosperity and launched a campaign against Æðelstan in Augusts's war of conquest, which culminated in the complete and decisive defeat of Æðelstan's army and the capture of King Burchard IV of Æðelstan forcing him to surrender and give up the entire kingdom for his safety. This left only the border between Æðelstan and the Varic empire affected by the war, leaving the rest of the region intact.

The crown of Æðelstan was still significant and was treated separately from the rest of the empire until 585 CE which saw the dissolution and full integration of Æðelstan. There was little resistance against the Varic empire as the region was left with a high degree of autonomy with oversight by Varic officials.

Legacy
The Kingdom of Æðelstan made the colour yellow and red popular in the region, Many nobles includes at least one of these colours in their family heraldry.