This is an overview of a constate, which exists in an alternate earth with history similar to our own. It is a Work In Progress.
Teuneulieg
Teuneulieg is an island to the north-east of the United Kingdom, roughly two-thirds the size of Ireland, in the Northern Sea. Despite the high latitude, head from volcanic vents and hot springs keeps the island somewhat habitable. The average temperature ranges from 12-60 degrees fahrenheit, depending on location and season. The landscape is rocky and mountainous, with stark vegetation and harsh winters. Summers are peaceful and calm, but short.
The history of Teunneulig starts when ancient peoples from the north of France migrated to the English Isles. From there, the Angles settled larger island, and the Celts moved across the Irish channel. In the opposite direction, however, small smatterings of groups migrated farther out to the island of modern day Teuneulieg. These people mixed with ancient ancestors of Nordic Ancestry during the times of epic Vanaheim, which now exists only through the Icelandic Sagas and such.
The Roman Empire largely bypassed both Ireland and Teuneulieg, subjugating the English Lands instead. As a result of this, and because of the somewhat inhospitable climate, the Teuneulieg remained somewhat backwards up into the middle ages, upon which time Christianity was introduced to the Island. Interesting to note, however, is that the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Monastic traditions arrived on Teuneulieg at around the same time. As a result, neither side was able to gain a deep foot-hold in the country, which had significant impact by the time of the Protestant Reformation.
Furthermore, the Island's distance from the English Isles was significantly larger than that of Ireland. This coupled with the fact that the Teuneulieg never suffered the crippling effects of the fall of the Roman Empire, and we find that Feudalism never gained much traction either. At this time period, the majority of the economy was run through trade, fishing, and animal herding, with agriculture being a relatively new and insignificant fraction of the overall economy.
These three factors meant that the average extended family had more resources and relied less on subsistence farming for a feudal lord. The relative lack of agriculture kept population levels low, and the cold climate had the benefit of offering natural protection against diseases, while the usage of farm animals and domestication ensured that the people developed tolerances for the major diseases, such as the black plague and syphilis.
Understandably, then, while the black plague was ravaging most of Western Europe, the English Isles had somewhat of an easy time with it. Particularly in Teuneulieg was the black plague exceedingly mild, with a low introduction rate and low kill rate, as well(thanks to lower population levels).
By the time of the Renaissance, the Teune People had imported a variety of elements from the continent, including glass, paper, horses, and the wheel, and was already in the middle of its own scientific and mathematical flowering. This had effects on the scientific language of the Teunen down the line, as the language did not borrow nearly as many Latinate forms, and was already making scientific strides in its own right.
It was around this time that the Teunneulig entered an age of expansion, just as all the other countries of Europe were entering similar eras themselves. The type of warfare engaged in by the Teunneulig, however, was in a different class as those of England or France, which relied on Monarchs to wage warfare. Teunneulig, by contrast, lacked a strong, central command authority. Many of the wealthiest families of the Island were united by geographic heritage, as were most other Teune Peoples.
This lack of central organization did not corroborate well with the forming of colonies and new states of rule. As a result, the Teunen "won many battles, but few lands", as the saying goes. Their tendency to act as war profiteers and to play both sides of a conflict gave them a reputation for being backstabbers and thieves amongst the people of the continent. They were generally regarded as less disciplined and bordering on heretical by the deeply catholic countries. Though the Dutch and English were on more friendly terms with them, as were the peoples of Northern German and Southern Norway, who usually profited through close proximity.
As the wars of the continent drew to a close, however, achievements in math and science plateaued in the Teunland. By the time of the American Revolution, the Teunneulig was again lagging somewhat behind the rest of the world in technological achievement. This changed, however, upon the establishment of American Trade Relations. The trade proved extremely beneficial to both countries, as the English no longer held their monopoly upon the Americas. Furthermore, since the American Revolution, the esteem of the British fell dramatically among the Americans. The Teunneulig was able to offer technological trade and material goods to the Americans, in turn for high calorie food surpluses that fueled a huge population boom on the island.
Within decades, the Teunneulieg were under full blown industrial revolution. However, industry on the island was not nearly so smooth as it was on the continent or in elsewhere. The increased population brought with it problems previously marginal on the island to the forefront of Teune politics. The increased amount of people gave way to higher crime rates, youth delinquency, and other problems. Furthermore, the Island was comparatively late in establishing a standardized education system. Even in modern times, standardized education is not nearly as well enforced, or respected.
The industrial revolution did, however, have the effect of formalizing institutions that had previously been only practically recognized. This formal recognition allowed a greater specificity in power, and had a normalizing effect on country politics and foreign affairs. This would prove very useful as the powder keg in Europe was getting ready to blow.
At which point Erupted World War I.
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