Easwegian Commonwealth
The Easwegian Commonwealth, officially the Grand Commonwealth of Lord Biarmia; Ez: Elecskezaarye vi Biaamya; Nr: Det Store Samfunnet til Hans Majestet Herre Bjarmeland; Ru: Господинъ Борея Великiй Биармия; also historically referred to as Great Pomoria, was the legendary medieval Easwegian polity which existed in the Barents Region of Northern Europe from 1478 to 1821. The Commonwealth was an alliance of Ezaari, Pomors, Norwegian sailors and other tundra natives and initially comprised the hold-out territories of the 12th-15th century Iron Commonwealth, outpost of the Novgorod Republic. It served as a polyethnic feudal republic and opposed the expansion of Muscovy, claiming Byzantine-tradition and successorship of the Novgorod Republic.
Grand Commonwealth of Lord Biarmia Elecskezaarye vi Boriobaailagh | |
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Banner of the Commonwealth | |
Capital | Arkhangelsk (1478-1570) Kola (1570-1580) Vardø (1580-1621) Vadsø (1621-1821) Bear Island (1821) |
Religion | Eastern Catholicism Old Believers Lutheranism Folk religions |
Demonym(s) | Easwegians (contemporary) Boriopans (traditional) |
Government | Feudal polyethnic clerical republic |
• Zaarich | Martha of Boriopa (first) |
Legislature | Council of Elders (Rauddo vi Baailagh) |
It is recognised as the predecessor of the current day Easwegian Common Union.
Administrative Divisions
The administrative divisions of the Easwegian Commonwealth were not fixed, as they were constantly at small scale war with the expanding Muscovy. The Commonwealth divided its territory, which stretched from the Kola peninsula to the Pechenga sea, into regional authorities 'volosts' and common land 'obschinas.' The independent Easwegian Commonwealth adopted many of the administrative divisions of the Iron Commonwealth when they were a constituency of the Novgorod Republic.
Pomoria
The core territory of the Easwegian Commonwealth from 1478 to 1580 was centred around the White Sea, known historically as Pomoria. The capital was either in Arkangelsk (which it called Bjarma Town), or Mezen to its east.