County of Cenomannie (+)
Structure
Cenomannie maintains a typical feudal structure, sworn to the Dukes of Anjev and owed allegiance by its barons, lords and knights. Cenomannie has a long history of strife between its secular and ecclesiastical sovereigns (See history of Ar Mans.)
Public Agenda
Cenomannie largely is dominated by House Laval, the Counts of Cenomannie, a powerful family in Anjev and Eastern Breizh. They have thrown their support behind Charlez Blaez in his claim of the Bretoned Ducal Crown, while aiming to gain an edge over their local rivals, the Counts of Angers/Dukes of Anjev.
Assets
Cenomannie is rich and powerful, although less rich than Touraine and less miltiarily powerful than County of Angers.
History
Originally settled during the Remusan Empire, of which some parts, like an amphitheater and baths, still stand. After the collapse of the Empire, Ar Mans and Cenomannie was a frequent target of Norman raids. It was targeted by the Southern Church as a stronghold of a "primitive cult" and is taken over by the Count-Bishops of Ar Mans, powerful temporal lords with the city watch as a private army, making the city into an essential theocracy, dedicated towards the improvement and maintenance of the episcopal palace. Despite the strength of the Faith within the city walls, pagan cults remain popular in rural Cenomannie.
The city became a major hub of the slave trade between Akitania and Anjev, until the populace rebels against the Count-Bishops, removing them from power an installing a new Count, which ends in a second revolt. The King of Gallia intervenes, sending a new bishop, Herlande, to the city at the same time as the Normans do the same with Gauziolene, Bishop of Rouan . The two govern as co-bishops for a short time, before Gauziolene forces Herlande to put out his eyes during a dinner. In revenge, the town is sacked by Gallia, capturing Gauziolene and bursting his eyes with alchemical magic. The "Affair of the Bishop's Eyes" prove the last straw for the frustrated populace, who rebel once more, demanding an end of the Count-Bishops. A new, secular Count is put in place and things calm down. The event is memorialized on the Arms of Ar Mans, featuring 4 bloody spikes used to put out the eyes of Bishops Herlande and Gauziolene.
A century follows as Cenomannie is thrown into a series of small wars with Gallia and Breizh, changing sides to protect the power of the Counts, culminating in Originally settled during the Remusan Empire, of which some parts, like an amphitheater and baths, still stand. After the collapse of the Empire, Ar Mans and Cenomannie was a frequent target of Norman raids, falling to invasion some time after the disastrous Battle of Brissarthe, remaining a Normal colony and launching point for many years. It was targeted by the Southern Church as a stronghold of a "primitive cult" and is taken over by the Count-Bishops of Ar Mans, powerful temporal lords with the city watch as a private army, making the city into an essential theocracy, dedicated towards the improvement and maintenance of the episcopal palace. Despite the strength of the Faith within the city walls, pagan cults remain popular in rural Cenomannie.
The city became a major hub of the slave trade between Akitania and Anjev, until the populace rebels against the Count-Bishops, removing them from power an installing a new Count, which ends in a second revolt. The King of Gallia intervenes, sending a new bishop, Herlande, to the city at the same time as the Normans do the same with Gauziolene, Bishop of Rouan . The two govern as co-bishops for a short time, before Gauziolene forces Herlande to put out his eyes during a dinner. In revenge, the town is sacked by Gallia, capturing Gauziolene and bursting his eyes with alchemical magic. The "Affair of the Bishop's Eyes" prove the last straw for the frustrated populace, who rebel once more, demanding an end of the Count-Bishops. A new, secular Count is put in place and things calm down. The event is memorialized on the Arms of Ar Mans, featuring 4 bloody spikes used to put out the eyes of Bishops Herlande and Gauziolene.
A century follows as Cenomannie is thrown into a battle with Originally settled during the Remusan Empire, of which some parts, like an amphitheater and baths, still stand. After the collapse of the Empire, Ar Mans and Cenomannie was a frequent target of Norman raids, falling to invasion some time after the disastrous Battle of Brissarthe, remaining a Normal colony and launching point for many years. It was targeted by the Southern Church as a stronghold of a "primitive cult" and is taken over by the Count-Bishops of Ar Mans, powerful temporal lords with the city watch as a private army, making the city into an essential theocracy, dedicated towards the improvement and maintenance of the episcopal palace. Despite the strength of the Faith within the city walls, pagan cults remain popular in rural Cenomannie.
The city became a major hub of the slave trade between Akitania and Anjev, until the populace rebels against the Count-Bishops, removing them from power an installing a new Count, which ends in a second revolt. The King of Gallia intervenes, sending a new bishop, Herlande, to the city at the same time as the Normans do the same with Gauziolene, Bishop of Rouan . The two govern as co-bishops for a short time, before Gauziolene forces Herlande to put out his eyes during a dinner. In revenge, the town is sacked by Gallia, capturing Gauziolene and bursting his eyes with alchemical magic. The "Affair of the Bishop's Eyes" prove the last straw for the frustrated populace, who rebel once more, demanding an end of the Count-Bishops. A new, secular Count is put in place and things calm down. The event is memorialized on the Arms of Ar Mans, featuring 4 bloody spikes used to put out the eyes of Bishops Herlande and Gauziolene.
A century follows as Cenomannie is thrown into a series of wars against Breizh and Gallia, changing sides several times in attempts to preserve the duchy. This culminates in the disastrous Battle of Brissarthe and a civil war in Cenomannie. Formorian Baillou the Usuper leads a rebellion against Count Gauzlin II and Bishop Gontier of Maine, attacking Ar Mans massacring the citizens and setting Church property afire. He is excommunicated and defeated by Robert I of Gallia, but regroups and takes the city once more, establishing a line of Counts. Gontier takes power in Ar Mans itself, while the Counts rule Cenomannie.
What follows is a golden age of craftsmanship as the city becomes a center for wheelwrights, saddle makers, and carpenters, gaining specific reputation for goldsmithing and liturgical furniture. The Belleme family rises to the position of Bishops, gaining a reputation for cruelty, including the mutilation and murder of wedding guests.
A civil war breaks out between House Belleme (Bishops) and House Hugonid (Counts), leaving the city in chaos, spreading to Blaez, Angers Touraine and Vendome. Ar Mans is then captured by Gwilherm II of Normandi, but rebels 5 years later during his invasion of Logres. The Bishop and the Count, as well as their families, are hunted down by an angry mob and a new Count is installed.
30 years later, the city becomes a launching point of a Crusade against Iram of the Pillars. Through marriage, Cenomannie is joined with Angers and Touraine, ecoming part of the Duchy of Anjev.
Demography and Population
Compared to Angers and Touraine, Cenomannie has the largest population of non-human inhabitants, being home to a long tradition of Formorian occupation, including at one point, the ruling family of the County. It is still considered to be largely stable nagically, and has a low population of Boermerzh, Milliget and Fae.
Territories
A large county, taking up the northern half of the Duchy of Anjou, marking the border with Breizh and Normaundie, making it an important border region.
It borders (Clockwise from West) the County of Roazhon in Breizh, the Counties of Mortain and Alencon in Normandi, the Forests of Perche and the Viscounty of Kastelldun in the Gallian Crownlands, and the Viscounty of Vendome and Counties of Touraine and Angers in Anjev
Foreign Relations
Cenomannie has great ambitions for increased influence in Breizh and Anjev, and has directed its attentions that direction, holding important lands and posts within both Counties. It support ths claims of Charlez Blaez on the throne.
Unite, Progres, Grandeur (Unity, Progress, Grandeur)
Type
Geopolitical, County / March
Capital
Demonym
Cenomannied
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
The Coinage of the County is minted in neighboring Touraine. 12 Deniers (Copper) are worth 1 Sol (Silver). 20 Sols are worth 1 Livre.
Major Exports
milk
Linen
Legislative Body
Ecclesiastic law of the Southern Church is exceptionally strong in Cenomannie, extending beyond the jurisdiction normally afforded it because of its history with the city of Ar Mans. Church Courts maintain a powerful presence in civic life in the city, while outside, Seingnorial authority is stronger.
Judicial Body
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Subsidiary Organizations
Comments