Barony of Rosewood

Barony of Rosewood
Barony, municipality
Nickname:  Rosewood
Established	19 February 2013
Government
• Baroness	Kara, Baroness Rosewood
Population
• Total	4

The Barony of Rosewood or Rosewood is the capital of the Kingdom of Überstadt and a subdivision of the Duchy of Edmount. It was declared as such on 19 February 2013 by King Adam's first royal decree. Rosewood is home to all residential citizens of Überstadt, with a population of four. It is the political and economic capital of Überstadt.

Etymology

Rosewood's name is derived from multiple sources, all relating to the barony's foliage. Roses were raised in the Residency's front garden for many years until their relatively recent removal. Despite the digging up of the plants' roots, two volunteer rose bushes have grown in their place. Besides the presence of actual roses, Rosewood gained its name in part due to the rich shades of red that the leaves of the western trees turn in the autumn.

History

Rosewood was part of the historic fishing, hunting, and gathering territory of the Duwamish Native American tribe. With the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott, The United States government assumed control of the region. The first American to own the land that would become Rosewood was Rudolph Ledig, who had a 160-acre homestead that also encompassed Creekbed Colony. The land had several different owners over the next several decades, including John Ault, a 19th Century local politician. Under the ownership of one M.S. McCormick, who owned 5 acres on the northwest corner of the original claim, the land was not sold to the growing housing development called Mountlake Terrace, which almost totally enclosed the McCormick land. This parcel became part of the new city of Mountlake Terrace in 1954, and was finally sold to a developer called Sharlane in 1960 to be divided into 20 quarter-acre lots with single-family homes.

Rosewood was purchased by King Adam's expectant parents in 1994, and has been the monarch's home since. The grounds of the house have been supplemented over the years by assorted gardens and outbuildings, and the Residency itself was expanded over several years during the 2000s to its present size and layout. It was annexed by Überstadt and made its capital in 2013.

Geography

Rosewood is located three and a half miles east of Puget Sound and within the climatic convergent zone of the northern sound, which makes it prone to overcast, and often wet, weather. East of the Residency, native trees and shrubs rise prominently above the grass, but the western zone is vegetated by introduced ornamental trees and shrubs, as well as by extensive mossy growth among the grass. The royal gardens are also found to the west. The northern and eastern borders are bound by fences, while the southern and western borders are not obstructed in any way.

Demographics

Because the entirety of Rosewood's permanent population consists of the Royal Family, the barony is not very diverse. All residents of Rosewood are descended primarily from Germanic peoples and speak English as their native language. Half the population also speaks Spanish with varying degrees of competence. In terms of religion, all residents are Latter-day Saints. All residents are adults under Überstadti law; under international standards, one is still a child.

Economy

Rosewood is the economic center of Überstadt. All three of the public cooperatives are headquartered there. Western Rosewood is the heart of Überstadti agriculture, growing a variety of fruits and vegetables. All native handicrafts are also produced in Rosewood, usually inside the Royal Residency. As the commercial center of the country, almost all shipments into and out of Überstadt pass through the capital.

Points of interest

A number of important Überstadti sites are located in Rosewood. The Chambers of Parliament are in the public area of the Royal Residency. It is here that Parliament and the Cabinet meet. The Independence Spire, erected on the nation's third anniversary, is in the eastern part of the barony. On the opposite side is the site where King Adam was crowned in 2011.