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Braeland History Timeline - Part 1 of 2

Pre- 1700s - The Island that would become known as Braeland is inhabited by tribal factions constantly warring with one another, each battling for domination.

Early 1700s – The Brunise, the most populous and dominant tribe of the southeast plains, successfully extend their control throughout the rest of the island. Melo, their tribal chief, is proclaimed King of all Braeland. However, resistance to Brunise hegemony continues.

1769 – HMS Endeavour, commanded by British explorer Lieutenant James Cook, becomes the first European ship to reach Braeland, passing the island’s northern coastline.

1797 – John Hunter, Governor of New South Wales, arrives on Braeland soil and annexes the island on behalf of Great Britain. The arrival of the British profoundly changes Braelander society. Their anchorage opens up the once isolated island to the outside world and to English ideas and customs in particular. Although they embrace much of their customs, language and even political thought, Braelanders nevertheless remain fiercely protective of their independence and on numerous occasions, resist efforts to rule over them.

1851 – In the affair known as the “Lune River Rebellion”, open violence erupts, resulting in the murder of Governor George McPhatters and the brutal slaughter of over 300 Braelander instigators. Such state of affairs continues under British rule, despite the interregnum in the resented Brunise reign and the strenuous efforts of the British appointed governors to restore calm.

1881 – Due to the island’s remoteness, her own growing weariness to the political strife in its wayward stepchild, as well as the need to deal with more pressing domestic issues compels Great Britain to begin the transfer of power back into the hands of Braelanders. By this time, political thought has galvanized into two main camps: those who favour a restoration of the Brunise monarchy (or, the Brunswick monarchy, as the Royal House now stylizes itself) and those who champion a Republican form of government with a directly elected head of state.

Great Britain’s decision to work with the Monarchists in the transfer of power is cited as the flashpoint to the violent struggles that would flare up between the Republicans and Monarchists over the next 54 years.

May 17, 1884 – Braeland achieves full autonomy. While electing to maintain close ties with Great Britain and her colonies, Braeland nevertheless reaffirms its sovereignty by re-installing the House of Brunswick but now with a new institution: a parliamentary form of government. King Edgar I, a direct descendent of Melo, is crowned on the same day, the first royal to sit on the Braeland throne in nearly 87 years.

June 1884 – A new capital is designated. The site chosen is 210 miles south of Brunswick, Braeland’s largest city and former capital. Braeland City, previously called Glastonbury, and nestled between the ocean and the extinct volcano Mount Yasawa, is already a thriving port community. It is greatly expanded and redeveloped to become a suitable home for the new Houses of Parliament and Royal Residence. The motive behind this move is to try and mollify those who perceive the monarchy as only concerned about the royal seat centered in Brunswick and concerned for little else.

September 8, 1884 – Sir Martin Perry Oberton, a leading member of the monarchy movement who was instrumental in coordinating the peaceful transfer of power is elected as the nation’s first Prime Minister, with his Liberal Party forming a majority government. Although resistance and violence erupt at a few polling stations, particularly in the western portion of the island, it is generally perceived to be a smoothly run election.

January 1885 – Frustrated anti-Royalists coalesce under the leadership of Harold Grant Terrelton, a former Loyalist, to form a new party. The newly established Free Republic Party (FRP), with Terrelton installed as party leader, campaigns in subsequent elections with the overt purpose of abolishing the monarchy once and for all.

1902-1906 – A series of seemingly endless scandals – most notably the BGS Shipyard scandal and the Bickwell affair – rock the administrations of Prime Minister Oberton and later, his successor, Tory Prime Minister Sir Franklin Henderson Benn. Revelations of prominent ministers involved with graft and extramarital affairs embarrass the government, breeding distrust among Braelanders and drawing heavy criticism in the national media. The FRP sees its national popularity soar, and for the first time, becomes a serious threat to win a majority of seats in the upcoming 1908 elections.

1906-1909 – Braeland, which is no stranger to prolonged dry spells, endures one of its worst droughts on record. Although dew produced by the Amethyst Mountains initially helps to compensate for the extended dry spell, Braeland is eventually forced to import basic foodstuffs as crop failures increase. Food prices begin to rise drastically, exacerbating an already precarious political situation.

May 25, 1907 – Prime Minister Benn steps down and a new Prime Minister, Sir Wallace David Creighton, immediately attempts to shore up confidence in the government before its mandate runs out. Although not disclosed to the public at the time, cracks in the support of the King and Parliament by the Braeland Armed Forces begin to form.

July 8, 1907 – During a hastily called convention, the FRP repudiates Harold Grant Terrelton’s leadership and elects Wesley Hubert Kildron as new party leader. Kildron, a central member of the New Radicals as the extreme element of the Party is labeled, immediately prepares the party to seize power regardless of the outcome of the upcoming election. A former First Sergeant in the Army, Kildron swiftly develops contacts with key members of the Armed Forces who respect his military background.

December 30, 1907 – Harold Grant Terrelton, in failing health and now a man without a party or cause, has a premonition of the inevitable conflict that will soon envelope his beloved country. Disowning the party he has helped to establish, he dies in his sleep.

July 5, 1908 – King Hugh I dies unexpectedly, just before Sir Wallace David Creighton’s government is about to submit the writ for dissolution of parliament. His son, Malcolm I dissolves parliament and calls the election, setting it for October 22, 1908.

October 29, 1908 – One week after the election, the country learns that there is a stalemate. Of the three parties sending elected members to the new Parliament, no one has sufficient seats to form a majority. The incumbent Tories, previously written off, have unexpectedly come within three seats of earning a clear majority. The FRP, now the second largest party in the country, nevertheless cries foul at the results, claiming that the election was corrupt and tilted in favour for the monarchists.

October 30, 1908 – King Malcolm I invites Sir Wallace David Creighton to form a government. Despite being completely constitutional, the FRP threatens to boycott the new Parliament and certain newspapers favourable to the FRP harshly criticize the motion. Sir Creighton hesitates to act. It was not evident at the time as to why the Tories wavered, but according to declassified memos held at the National Archives, the Armed Forces informed the Prime Minister that it would not support the new government nor take any action against the FRP.

November 3, 1908 – King Malcolm I appeals to the nation in an unprecedented address that is intended to be carried in all the nation’s major newspapers. The address, later known as the “I Am Your King” speech, is an appeal to calm and reason.

November 4, 1908 –The FRP, in conjunction with the military, conspires to suppress the official speech and fabricate an inflammatory one instead. Only a few newspapers, primarily in the east, are courageous enough to publish the king’s speech in its entirety. The FRP, fuelling the uproar for all it’s worth, openly mock the King and incite the disenfranchised people. Riots spread across the country, starting in the rural areas of the Western provinces.

November 7, 1908 – Riots reach the major cities. Wolseley, Pulberry and even Downie erupt in flames. Prime Minister Creighton, sensing the precariousness of the situation and the imminent danger the Royal Family is in, urges the King to flee for his safety. The King refuses.

November 10, 1908 – In the early morning hours, a military-backed coup storms the Royal Palace in Braeland City. Malcolm I is assassinated. Malcolm’s younger brother, Prince Henry survives, having fled to Great Britain just a few days before with his immediate family. Prime Minister Creighton's office and his government are dissolved.

November 1908-March 1909 – The Braelander Civil War is fought between the Republicans, backed by the Armed Forces, and the Loyalists, who support the Monarchy. The Loyalists are soon overwhelmed, but refuse to capitulate. Isolated forces retreat into the depths of the Amethyst Mountains to continue sporadic attacks on Republican targets over the next 20 years.

December 1908 – Initially rejecting Braeland City as their capital, the Republicans reconsider, designating the Royal Residence as the President’s Residence.

February 6-7, 1909 – The decisive Battle of Embro is fought resulting in a resounding Republican victory. The result of the battle is influenced in no small part to a torrential downpour that lasts for two days, Braeland’s first significant rainfall in 2-1/2 years.

February 7, 1909 – Dr. David Westfall, a captain and medic in the Loyalist army, as well as an extended member of the Royal Family, is appointed by King Henry to the cabinet of the government-in-exile. Dr. Westfall flees Braeland to coordinate the continued efforts of the Resistance from overseas. (See the chapters, The Call-Up and The Run-Down)

March 10, 1909 – Wesley Kildron is sworn in as Braeland’s first President on the steps of the Presidential Residence. Despite a promise to hold free elections, no elections are ever held under the regime of Kildron. In fact, many freedoms are summarily suspended.