The History of the Grand Commonwealth

Just over four years ago the micronational world was slightly shocked when a new and mostly unexpected micronational union appeared on the scene: the Grand Commonwealth.

It started out in 2004 as a plan between Treesia and Aerlig to try and create the first new micronational empire since Tymaria (which had lasted for just over 10 months until September 2002). It was also an opportunity to try and restore some of the former Apollo Foundation territories that had been previously and controversially removed by the MCS.

By the end of 2004 Lemuria, Antica and Arminy had signed up, but the latter two got cold feet and withdrew, throwing the whole project into jeopardy. In January 2005, an inspired approach to Babkha (followed later by Alteria) led to the launch of the Grand Commonwealth on April 28th 2005. It almost immediately became known as the "Great Satan" as a consequence of a major propaganda campaign instigated by Diga of Attera and implemented by Scott of Hyperborea.

A number of other micronations joined the Grand Commonwealth over the next two years, either as members or protectorates, while it also played a significant role in the formation of the MCS-rivalling Geographical Standards Organisation in 2006.

It all ceased abruptly at the end of the summer of 2007, following the withdrawal of Treesia and an effective boycott of the federal government by Babkha. A swift closure of the forums took advantage of the vacation period. Most of its former members have since failed to survive.

The Grand Commonwealth's website is now restored, and a more detailed history has been published there.

Protector Enacts Section Three

Statesman House- Adelwin, Aerlig- For the first time in the history of the Republic of Aerlig, the Protector of the Republic, Lachlan Powers, has enacted Section Three of the Constitution, enabling him to take up the responsibilities of the Parliament.

The section, which has existed in the constitution since it was written in 2001, enables the Protector to take over the responsibilities of any national office that fails in its duties to the nation. Since the branch of government that the Protector says has failed is the Parliament, the Protector may take on the full legislative and executive functions of the Government, powers which were recently strengthened in the constitutional referendum.

The Protector declared today at 12:30 on the steps of Statesman House that the Parliament had fallen into inactivity, and had therefore failed the people, and as a result he would be taking over the Government of the nation.

The believed cause of this action is the fact that two pieces of legislation have been sitting in the Parliamentary chamber for debate for over a week now. The Protector was quick to rush through the National Gazette Act of 2005 and the Re-enactment Act of 2005 as soon as he assumed power.

How long the Protector will retain office for is yet to be seen, but his actions are expected to stir up some debate within the Aerlig community.

Beginnings of the Grand Commonwealth (Part I)

It has been suggested by a number of micronationalists that the Grand Commonwealth was designed from the outset to be a counterweight to Shirerothian supremacy in the microworld. Others have also resorted to referring to the Commonwealth as Greater Babkha, unaware of the true history that lies behind the formation of the grand nation. The first thoughts of a Commonwealth started a little under a year ago, when Lachlan Powers (Aerlig) and Sir Iain de Vembria met during an online conversation to discuss the direction of their two nations.

Powers and de Vembria had often discussed the plights of their two nations, which had suffered greatly from inactivity over the preceding months. It was time that some action should be taken. All of micronationalism was in a lul, and something was needed to create some activity and draw new blood into the hobby, but what? October 9th, 2004 was the birth of discussions for a new nation. While it took nearly six months from this date for the dream to become a reality, the wheels were put in motion that night for an idea that would grow much beyond the original dreams.

The removal of Apollo Foundation lands from the Micronational Cartographic Society Map was an action that was loudly criticized by micronationalists around Micras, from Shireroth to Treesia. One must often wonder how Ryan Caruso can continue his job at the top after all the hard decisions and criticism he has had to make. The decision had been made, however, and Treesia’s long lives existence on the map was being threatened. So on the 9th October, the Round Table was presented with two options- threaten the MCS or leave the Foundation and resume sovereignty over the traditional lands. Treesia had once covered lands ranging as far as Shireroth of the day, and the prospect of the nation being wiped off the map altogether was one that de Vembria couldn’t bare contemplate.

Powers, a member of the Round Table, came up with the initial laughable suggestion of Treesia becoming and Aerlish state. The suggestion though, however ridiculous it may have seemed at the time, was to give rise to what is arguably the largest, most powerful nation Micras has ever seen.

Not long after the suggestion of the Treesian state, de Vembria first floated the idea of a loose union between Treesia, Aerlig and Lemuria- A “New Apolloian [sic] Empire�. United for economics, foreign affairs and security in the first place. The laughable idea of admitting Antica was floated (which we shall see later was not so laughable), along with flooding Micras in the violent lime green colour which Aerlig possessed. Apollo fever took over, and notions were raised of contacting Harvey about the Flying Islands, Trevon about Istavanistan and considering how many different acronyms could be formed including the word Apollo.

By the 10th, Powers had spoken with Delphi Augustus of Antica, who was willing to join in discussions about the formation of a new Empire. For the next day, things stood idle, probably as life interceded, as it does. Something was clearly brewing though. With Aerlig, Treesia, Lemuria and Antica having expressed interest, there was a possibility of something big occurring. Note though that Babkha was not mentioned, nor was it even considered. As we will see, it was many months before Babkha was even associated with the project. Other nations will come and go before then, and yet the whole project will remain under wraps from Micras’s supposed top security agencies.

It was on the 9th of October that, what was so eloquently referred to at the time as the "Imperial Whatever of Thingummy" came into life as an idea.

To be continued...

Aerlig Elects New Parliament

ADELWIN, AERLIG - The Aerlig Electoral Commission returned results today for the twelfth session of Parliament of the Republic of Aerlig.

The election saw a record-matching seven candidates run for the five positions available in the Parliament, only the third time that an election has been held for the Parliament. While the campaign this year lacked the ferociousness of the last election campaign, many of the candidates petitioned hard for their positions on the Parliament.

Protector Lachlan Powers announced the results early this morning to a large crowd gathered on the lawns of the Protector's Office. The five returned members were Peter Krembs (Labor), Lachlan Powers (XP), Dugobert Wurmser (XP), Joe Sendler (ANP) and Carson Smith (Ind.). Iain Vembria and Jayce Adryn, both members of the Expansionist Party, missed out in a very tight vote.

So far, only one member has put his hand up for the role of Prime Minister, that being Mr Krembs. Krembs returned to Aerlig recently after a prolonged absence. With no party having a majority in the Parliament, and Powers indicating support of a Krembs ministry, there is a good chance he may get the top job.

For all the latest news, keep reading the Apollo Inquisitor.

Aerlig to hold Elections

ADELWIN, AERLIG - Aerlish Protector Lachlan Powers early this evening prorogued the Parliament on request of the citizens, calling for nominations for the twelfth parliament of the Republic.

The Protector has called for nominations to the new Parliament, which is to be made up of five members. With eight currently active citizens in the Republic, there is a strong chance of an election occurring for the available seats. During the election period, Prime Minister Carson Smith will continue to head the caretaker government.

Should an election be called, it is expected that the newly renamed Labour Party, led by Peter Krembs, will fight a strong campaign for seats in the Parliament. The new Aerlig National Party should secure at least one seat under original Aerlig citizen Joe Sendler, while the eXpansionist Party will look to gain up to three seats in the election. The Liberal Republican Party, led by former citizen and Prime Minister Kevin, is expected to lose all representation in the Parliament and consequently be stripped of party status.

Nominations are being accepted by the Protector for ten days until June 2.

More the latest news from Aerlig, keep reading the Apollo Inquisitor.

Aerlig Appoints New Ministers

ADELWIN, AERLIG - Aerlig’s new Prime Minister Carson Smith has appointed his first Cabinet to help him run his new Government.

Along with the new Ministers, the Prime Minister also adjusted the ministries to reflect Aerlig’s new position as a member of the Commonwealth. The Internal Affairs ministry has gained control over the nations defence until the Commonwealth requisitions it, while the External Affairs Ministry has become the Ministry for Extragovernmental Affairs, or specifically, dealing with the Commonwealth.

The new ministers for the Republic are Lachlan Powers as the Minister of Extragovernmental Affairs and returning citizen Peter Krembs as Internal Affairs Minister. Dugobert Wurmser has been appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister.

Nations Unite!

SKERRY ISLES, TREESIA In what could go down as one of the most historic announcements of all time, the Chairman of the Sovereign Order of Treesia, Sir Iain de Vembria, and His Excllency the Emir of Raspur, Ardashir Osmani, today announced the formation of the Grand Commonwealth.

The announcement of the union between five nations has stunned the micronational community, with the new nation being released with a full website and forums, the result of many months of planning.

The Republic of Aerlig, Kingdom of Alteria, Kingdom of Babkha, Empire of Lemuria and Sovereign Order of Treesia have all passed the appropriate Acts and referenda through their legislatures in private over the past month, unbeknownst to the rest of the micronational community.

Lachlan Powers, Protector of Aerlig, said "The five nations have realized that there is more to gain in pooling common resources than to remain as separate entities. Together, we can, with our combined might grow into a great micronational force."

The new capital city of the country is currently a buzz with activity with Acting Shahan-Ri His Excellency the Emir of Raspur conducting the elections for the first Taoiseach of the Commonwealth. This is combed with the general sense of jubilation following the official announcement of the new nation.

Quick Facts-
New Union's Name: The Grand Commonwealth
Member Nations: Aerlig, Alteria, Babkha, Lemuria and Treesia
National Capital: šâhanšâhi-Tara, Commonwealth Capital Territory
Head of State: Shahan-Ri Tahmaseb Shah Abakhtari (Babkha)
Head of Government: The Taoiseach, to be elected today.
Parliament: Majlis-i-Shahan-Ri
Website: http://www.grand-commonwealth.com
Forums: http://www.grand-commonwealth.com/forum

News Shorts- 6th March 2005

Adelwin, Aerlig- The Protector of the Republic Lachlan Powers has assumed the role of the Prime Minister of the Republic due to the recent inactivity of the former Prime Minister, Mr Zachary Klass. Mr Powers will remain in the role until such a time as a replacement is installed.

Treynor Proper, Treynor- The newly installed Protector of the Independent Colony of Treynor, the Protector of Aerlig Lachlan Powers, has successfully completed his first week of protection of the nation by accidentally deleting the nation’s forums. The red-faced Protector was unavailable to comment at the time of print.

Lemuria- Citizen of less than three weeks Carson Smith has resigned his citizenship in the Empire of Lemuria. Mr Smith stated that he was not compatible with Lemuria’s laid back approach to activity, and would be better suited to a more active nation.

Kamalshahr, Babkha- The 2004-05 EIFA World Cup is now into Preliminary Final mode, with 16 nations battling it out for the eight spots in the Quarter Finals. For the latest news and information about the EIFA World Cup check out our sister publication Football Fever.

Babkha- Babkha is currently at the polls until the 10^th of March. As usual, voters have a wide variety of choice in their candidates, with candidates promising rewards such as severed and bonus legs.

San Martin- There has been a revolution in San Martin, and a new monarchy has been installed. So far there appears to be little resistance to the new government.

Lose Some, Win More...

Micronations.Net has received four new personal warrants from heads of state for the provision of its news services.

The new warrants, which may be seen on the homepage of its website, were received following the withdrawal of the warrant from the Atteran Emperor, a politically-manipulated protest following the failure of Atteran Chronicle World to qualify for the recently-introduced MNN Accredited Sources scheme.

The warrants were granted by the Emperors of Minorca and Lemuria, the Kaiser of Shireroth and the Protector of Aerlig, with the Minorcan one replacing that provided by its predecessor Baracão.

Treesia Increases Early Lead

Speedway Stadium, Treesia- After two draws in the opening round of the 2004 EIFA Champions Trophy, no-one was willing to settle for level scores yesterday, with definite winners emerging in each match of the second round.

The closest match of was that between world numbers one and two Treesia and Aerlig, which finished with a final score of 3-2. Both teams had a good first half, each managing to score a goal. The game looked set to finish in a two-all draw before Treesia stole away with four minutes to go, running the length of the field before setting up a magnificent shot from just outside the square. Aerlig goalkeeper Tyde vanHorshan, recently returned from injury after the Babkha Tri-Nations incident, could do nothing to stop the goal which shot between the goalposts at tremendous speed.

Karnali showed off its own skills, almost immediately proving too much for EIFA newcomer Navland, which looked as though it was already out of the match after the first ten minutes. Karnali pounced on their inexperience and broke away, scoring an amazing 10 goals to Navland's 2.

Attera faced its second loss of the tournament, when it went down to Cranda 6-3.

Treesia now sits with a clear lead at the top of the Champions Trophy league table with two wins and six points, followed by Karnali and Cranda who have one win each. Aerlig and Navland sit on one point with a draw each to their names, while Attera sits solely at the bottom with no points.

The EIFA Champions Trophy action takes place every second day until November 19th, with three matches per day. It is hosted by the Sovereign Order of Treesia at the Speedway Stadium Treesia, and live results can be seen on the official website.

Treesia Celebrates in Classic Style

Speedway Stadium, Treesia- The Sovereign Order of Treesia has rounded off its fourth anniversary celebrations in classic fashion, and reinforced its position as being the world's number one ranked football team, by opening the 2004 EIFA Champions Trophy with a decisive 7-4 victory over the rising power of Atteran football in a fast-paced match on Tuesday.

The Treesian attack proved too much for the Atterans, who were unable to limit the scoring to a insurmountable total. Treesia broke away early in the first half, scoring four goals, to which Attera could only manage three. Attera crumbled in the second half, scoring just one goal in reply to three from Treesia.

In other matches in the same round, Navland was unable to score anything against Aerlig's strong defence, with the game finishing in a 0-0 draw. Cranda and Karnali also ended the round with a draw at 4-all.

The EIFA Champions Trophy is being hosted by the Sovereign Order of Treesia at the Speedway Stadium Treesia. The tournament ends on November 19th, and live results can be seen on the official website.

News Shorts- Football: 2, YAMOs: 0

Adelwin, Aerlig- EIFA has now opened applications to host the 2004/05 EIFA World Cup, billed as the biggest micronational sporting event in history. Interested nations should visit the EIFA HQ.

Speedway Stadium, Treesia- The 2004 EIFA Champions Trophy is about to start in Treesia, with the top six ranked football nations battling it out to be Champion of Champions. Last year's champions Aerlig face an uphill battle after a year in the slumps, with Treesia and Karnali the firm favourites.

Halberd Lighthouse, Treesia- Die again, live again Treesia has celebrated its fourth anniversary, a colossal achievement for any nation. Babkha helped celebrate by slaughtering one thousand Mondesians.

Raspur, Babkha- The Raspur Micronational Community, recently formed at a conference in the of the same name, appears to have ground to a halt, just like so many other YAMOs. The Cyberians held the Presidency for October, but not much occurred, and we are yet to hear from the November President Mahina. Still only five nations have ratified the charter, with host nation Babkha yet to do so.

Host the EIFA World Cup

The English Intermicronational Football League (EIFA) is now accepting applications from nations to host the 2004-2005 EIFA World Cup.

The World Cup is the biggest English Micronational sporting event, and will be held during December and January of 2004-2005. Previous hosts, the Republic of Aerlig (2002) and the Theocracy of Mediterranea (2003-04) have enjoyed a large influx of visitors into their nation as a result of hosting the Cup.

The World Cup is open to all member nations of EIFA. At present, there are 11 member nations, but EIFA always greets a number of new members at the start of each World Cup.

EIFA opens the opportunity to host the World Cup to its members, providing they meet the criteria. Prospective hosts, who meet the criteria, must submit an application to the EIFA Head Office by no later than Sunday, November 14^th 2004.

Criteria for hosting the World Cup include:

* A prospective host nation must be at least six (6) months old

* A prospective host nation must have been a member of EIFA for at least three (3) months.

* A prospective host must have an active forum which has open access to non-citizens and members

A host nation will be selected by what it can offer the World Cup and EIFA, and how it will handle such activity and responsibility. As the World Cup host, a nation will be required to:

* Maintain a stadium (forum) in which World Cup matches can be played

* Maintain a website to keep teams and spectators abreast with World Cup developments.

* In conjunction with EIFA collect, tabulate and announce results of the World Cup matches.

* In conjunction with EIFA create a fixture for the World Cup

* In conjunction with EIFA award prizes to the winners of the World Cup

* In conjunction with EIFA ensure maximum publicity of the World Cup.

If your nation is interested in hosting the World Cup, please submit an application. Applications will only be accepted via email to eifa@mncentre.net.

Lachlan Powers
Director of EIFA

Application to Host the World Cup

Official Name of Applicant Nation:
Common Name of Applicant Nation:

Link to Forums:
Link to Website:

Name of Official Representative of Applicant Nation:
Official Title of Representative of Applicant Nation:
Email Address:

In which city do you propose the World Cup be held?
What is the name of the main stadium at which games will be played?

Is your nation willing to commit the time required to assist EIFA in running the World Cup, maintaining a forum and a website?
Will your nation allow free access to visitors during the Cup?

What other plans do you have? (Prizes, ceremonies, sponsors etc).
Please attach any accompanying information regarding the above question.

Please also provide links to any information you may have about the main stadium and/or city in which the Cup will be held.

http://www.mncentre.net/images/eifa/wc0405.png

EIFA Tri Nations GF Rematch Produces a Winner!

Adelwin, Aerlig - The Superdome was again packed to the rafters today with people queuing in the streets for days to get their hands on tickets for the Grand Final Rematch of the EIFA Tri-nations Tourney. With the current world champions of German Soccer and the runners-up in the English World Cup doing battle, an estimated 67,000 people made their way to the dome to watch the match.

They weren't to be disappointed either. The match got off to a blazing start, with a Babkhan goal in the first five minutes sending the crowd wild. When the Atterans quickly replied, a deafening roar echoed through the stadium. A scuffle broke out between a number of Babkha and Atteran nationals in the Eastern Stand after Babkha put away two more goals to take the lead 3-1, but with those fans removed the crowd went back to focusing on the game to notice that the Atterans had shot away to 3-4. The teams went back and forward scoring before the end of the first half, levelling the scores at 8 all.

The Babkha defence in the second half proved too much for the Atterans however, who only managed to score 2 goals in response to Babkha's 4.

With Babkha's win in this Tourney they have risen to 11th in the World Rankings, just below Navland and Cranda. Additional points to Attera sent it above New Macadam, while Aerlig was bumped up one place above Karnali to second.

EIFA is certainly heating up, with more action soon to come including the Champions Cup and the October Karnalian Tournament, all before the World Cup in three months time!

FINAL SCORE: Babkha 12 defeated Attera 10
CROWD: 67,028 @ MZM Superdome, Adelwin

No-show Teams Fail to Spoil First Games

ERSENIL, AERLIG - The EMSL achieved a record attendance on Friday when two thirds of its member teams turned up for the first game of the new soccer season. As a result two proper matches were played and only four games were won on forfeits. Six of the teams that did turn up now share the lead of the league table with three points each, while the others are languishing at the bottom with none.

Last season's lyrical commentator Baruch O'Shaughnessy also failed to make an appearance, thus sharing the embarrassment of a no-show with the Baden Tigers, FC Attera Imperial, the Gotzborg Eagles and Redstar Bandera. EMSL Head Honcho Jouker Sendler reminded the teams that plays can be submitted for all the matches in advance, so the team managers have no excuses for failing to show up with their teams in time for each match.

This season's league has features 22 match days, plays every Friday and ends in the New Year. The results for the first match are as follows:

Trishuli Xtremes - 3, Adelwin Power - 1
Mayo Sportistinda - 3, FC Attera Imperial - 0
Baden Tigers - 0, The Dynamo - 3
Wizards SC Westmore - 5, Vayelon Firewolves - 3
Gotzborg Eagles - 0, DRAs Capitalist Shmazerz - 3
Redstar Bandera - 0, Halberd Harriers - 3

The league table stands thus:

1. Halberd Harriers - 3 points
2. DRAs Capitalist Shmazerz - 3 points
3. The Dynamo - 3 points
4. Mayo Sportistinda - 3 points
5. Wizards SC Westmore - 3 points
6. Trishuli Xtremes - 3 points
7. Vayelon Firewolves - 0 points
8. Adelwin Power - 0 points
9. Baden Tigers - 0 points
10. Gotzborg Eagles - 0 points
11. Redstar Bandera - 0 points
12. FC Attera Imperial - 0 points

The next matches take place on Friday 17th September.

Formula Z Finishes With a Flourish

COURLAND BARRACKS, GOTZBORG - Motorsports fans were awed when members of the Gotzborg Royal Family attended the final Formula Z race last Sunday (5th), and then presented the end-of-season prizes afterwards. King August Charles II raided the family silver to hand over some glittering trophies to the first Formula Z World Champion Driver, Trevon Andarosel, as well as series co-organiser and race winner Iain de Vembria, and the World Champion Team, Knightrider Racing.

In his acceptance speech, Andarosel broke down in tears as he thanked "my team, the organisation committee of Formula Z and the MML, the nations who hosted the tracks,... my pet sandworm, my parents and other family, the university for wasting their bandwidth, the guys who developed HTML, PHP and MySQL, Brattain and Bardeen for building the first transistor, James Maxwell for developing the electromagnetic theory, and, finally, Extreme007 for not discovering how to win races before halfway through the season."

Formula Z is a motorracing simulation that was launched in the wake of the growing success of other micronational sports, particularly association football, and has achieved a remarkably consistently high level of participation for each race. Charles II said of it: "Formula Z is an enjoyable respite from stuffy government offices, heated debates, and diplomatic activities. It is an engagement in which people from all over micronations come together to challenge others, themselves and participate in something that is fun."

Races were held in seven micronations in this year: Attera, Aerlig, Babkha, Prya, Istvanistan, S.O. Treesia and Gotzborg.

English Soccer Takes Off Again

Adelwin, Aerlig- The two English Soccer Leagues, EIFA (National Teams) and EMSL (Club teams) have again kicked off, with the relaunch of EIFA and the launching of the third season of the EMSL.

EIFA recently concluded the AtterCup tournament in Attera, seeing two new nations joining the association. With the conclusion of the tournament EIFA also launched a new website and ranking system, available online at www.mncentre.net/eifa/. The new ranking system is designed to make the league more accountable, being based on points and ranks of different tournaments.

Planning is currently underway for the upcoming EIFA Champions Cup to be hosted by the Sovereign Order of Treesia, where the Association's top six teams will battle it out to try and improve their ranking position.

The EMSL is also restarting in September, with the league currently taking team registrations for the season. Teams interested in registering should head to the EMSL website at http://www.joachimseitz.de/aerlig/emsl/.

Aerlig Amends The Constitution

Adelwin, Aerlig- After the failed merger attempt with the United Baronies earlier in the year, Aerlig has finally passed a new constitution which should allow proposed amendments such as the merger to go ahead in the future.

The amended constitution, only the third time it has been changed since Aerlig's establishment in 2002, was decreed into action by Protector Lachlan Powers on the 26^th after it passed a unanimous vote by referendum.

Other alterations to the constitution will also pave the way for the long needed ability to remove citizenships from inactive citizens, some of whom have been on Aerlig's citizenship rolls from day one and have not returned. The powers of the Protector of the Republic have also been further clarified, with the Protector no longer the people's Protector, but that of the whole nation.

New Prime Minister for Aerlig

Adelwin, Aerlig- After former Prime Minister Lachlan Powers' term of more than one and a half years, it took just nineteen days for the fourth Prime Minister of the Republic, Mr Kevin Dobson, to be dismissed as head of the government.

Mr Dobson was dismissed from the Office of the Prime Minister by Protector Lachlan Powers this week, after the Protector called for a new vote of confidence due to the Prime Ministers inactivity. Mr Dobson, who has claimed the post from Mr Powers just weeks before in a 3-2 vote of parliament, was replaced with the unanimous election of newcomer Zachery Klass as the nations Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Klass was quick to move the government into gear, appointing his cabinet of ministers in just a few days. Former Prime Minister Powers, the Leader of the Opposition, was awarded with the Deputy Prime Ministership, while National Party Member Jouker Sendler was granted the Internal Affairs Portfolio. New MP Thoenen Helios has taken up the position as Aerlig's Minister of External Affairs.

The Protector announced later in the week that a by-election may soon be held to fill the vacancy left in Parliament by inactive member Dobson.

EIFA AtterCup Kicks Off This Week

Attera- The EIFA Football Season is revving up again with the start of the EIFA AtterCup this Friday in Attera.

To be battled out between Aerlig, Feianova, Attera, Treesia, Navland and Karnali, the cup is running in a round robin tournament out of Attera's shiny new Rasnet Group Stadium. The first game will kick off on Friday evening between Attera and Aerlig, while Feianova battles reigning World Cup Champions Karnali. Newcomer Navland will then face off against the football heavyweights from Treesia.