Thanedom of Sandvölr
Þegndom av Sandvölr | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
 Map showing territories of Sandvölr within Sanday. | |
| Sovereign state | Jarldom of Hjalvik |
| Established | 1 September 2020 (as territory) |
| Independence as thanedom | 1 December 2020 |
| Decolonised | 27 February 2024 |
| Capital | Meiser |
| Official languages | English, Hjalsk, Helwiccisc |
| Demonym(s) | Sandvölsk |
| Government | Thanedom |
• Thane | Julius Byhals |
• Governor | Jatvörþr Byhals |
• Monarch | Jarl Juvan I |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.252 km2 (0.097 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Census | 5 (2 de facto) (2021) |
| Currency | British Pound, Hjalsk Skilingr |
| Time zone | GMT |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | left |
The Thanedom of Sandvölr, commonly referred to as just Sandvölr, was a Hjalsk thanedom formerly located in the Norþfold region of Hjalvik. It was the largest territory in Hjalvik, at over 52 acres.
Etymology
Sandvölr was located on the Orkney isle of Sanday. Because of this, Sandvölr’s name means "sandy field" in Hjalsk. The Sandvölsk territory of Grösdunr simply means "grassy dune" in Hjalsk, due to its geography, situated on the top of a sand dune.
History
Establishment
Sandvölr was established on 1 September 2020, when Julius and Jatvörþr Byhals donated a large portion of their land to Hjalvik. It became Hjalvik’s largest territory. In November 2020 it was announced that Sandvölr would become a thanedom on 1 December 2020. Jatvörþr Byhals took immediate power as the first thane.
Territories
On 1 September 2020, Sandvölr was claimed by the Jarldom of Hjalvik as a territory, within the newly-founded region of Norþfold. It was the largest territory ever claimed by Hjalvik at the time. On 11 October 2020, Julius Byhals journeyed up a large sand dune, to the territory of Grösdunr, and claimed it for Hjalvik with a small Hjalsk flag.
Military actions
Sandvölr soon became home to large military establishments and an important shipyard. Hjalsk vessels such as HS Jatvörþr, HS Byhals and HS Ölker were built in Sandvölr.
Reign of Jatvörþr Byhals
On 1 December 2020, Sandvölr became a thanedom, with Jatvörþr Byhals, the older of two heirs, becoming thane. When it was first announced in November 2020, that Sandvölr would become a thanedom, Jatvörþr, who was governor at the time, announced that he wished to remain governor, and pass the title of thane to his younger brother, Julius. On 30 November 2020, a final agreement was made that Jatvörþr would reign as thane of Sandvölr from 1 December 2020 until 1 January 2021, then Governor Julius Byhals would become thane.
Reign of Julius Byhals
At 12:00pm GMT on 1 January 2021, Julius Byhals was crowned Lord Julius Byhals I, 2nd thane of Sandvölr.
Decolonisation
On 27 February 2024, Sandvölr was officially abandoned following the Hjalsk reforms, and the position of thane was abolished along with the thanedom.
Geography
Sandvölr geography was mainly flat grassy fields, though it also governed one mile of shoreline. The Meiser territory consisted of 52 acres of relatively flat fields, with the settlement of Meiser directly in the middle. The settlement was accessible via a long track down one of the fields. Meiser was also home to Lake Meiser; a small marshy lake which in summer, almost completely dried up, but during winter, the lake was often frozen over, with the water being a decent depth.
The territory of Heiþrby was very similar to Meiser. It was 12 acres of field, although the land was more of a moorland than fertile fields. Grösdunr sat atop a large sand dune, being the highest point in Sandvölr. It consisted of a small amount of beach grass on the dune, overlooking the bay of Cata Sands, out over to Meiser and Heiþrby.
Territories
Sandvölr was made up of three territories. These each have their own governors.
| Name | Flag | Incorporated into Thanedom of Sandvölr | Area | Population | Governor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grösdunr | N/A | 1 December 2020 | N/A | 0 | Julius Byhals |
| Meiser | N/A | 1 December 2020 | 0.21 km² | 3 | Jatvörþr Byhals |
| Heiþrby | N/A | 17 April 2021 | 0.0486 km² | 2 | Bar Tek |
Military establishments
Sandvölr was home to a large military base used by all three divisions of the Hjalsk Armed Forces. Sandvölr was the only territory in Hjalvik whose military base had cavalry. The Hjalsk Navy used the port to build and launch vessels. The Hjalsk Army used the grounds for military and cavalry training, and the Hjalsk Air Force used the territory for flight practice. Sandvölr was home to the largest HEME construction and assembly yard in Hjalvik.