Free United Kingdom of New Avalonia
 | This article refers to a nation which is currently in a state of inactivity. You can help make the article reflect that or ask on the talk page for further information. |
Free Kingdom of New Avalonia | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Motto: From Equality, Freedom | |
| Anthem: None | |
| Capital | "Avalon" |
| Official languages | English |
| Government | Direct Democratic constitutional monarchy |
• Current leader | High King Arthur I |
| Establishment | |
• Foundation | April 1st 2009 |
| Membership | Uncertain |
The Free United Kingdom of New Avalonia, known in short form as New Avalonia or Avalonia, is a constitutionally monarchiac micronation and territorial independence movement that was founded on April 1 2009. New Avalonia is both a political and spiritual movement that was established by it's first and current High King, Arthur I, with the intention of creating a land based on the common principles shared by most Neo-Pagan faiths. Despite this, New Avalonia is by no means a Theocracy, and one of it's co-founders is infact a Roman Catholic. Although New Avalonia is a Monarchy, it is also a Direct Democracy in which every citizen has an equal vote regardless of their title and noble station. Although Nobles are administrators of their land and have the power to make decisions, the people of their region can overturn any decision by a simple majority vote. The Free Kingdom is also a Unitary State comprised of a number of smaller nations, in a manner not unlike that of the UK.
Government
The Free United Kingdom is both a constitutional monarchy and a Direct Democracy. The United Kingdom is a Unitary State that divides it's land up into semi-independent nations with their own Monarchy and, beyond that, into smaller divisions ruled by various Nobles. No title in the land is hereditary and, although the High King can create new Nobles and give them titles, their successor must be elected through universal suffrage by the citizens of that reason. The Kingdom seeks to marry modern governance methods with the Neo-Pagan principles upon which it is founded.
As of it's founding New Avalonia consists of two semi-independent Kingdoms - the Royal Kingdom of Libertia and the Royal Kingdom of Karan.
Supreme Law of the Land
The Supreme Law of the Land is, for all intents and purposes, the Constitution of the Free United Kingdom. It is a series of inviolable and practically unalterable laws that can only be altered by a majority vote of 80% of all citizens, and even then only with the approval of the High King/Queen. The Supreme Law is the embodiment of the original vision for New Avalonia and, given the simplicity of government in the United Kingdom, is written in a simple format as opposed to being a cluttered legal document.
High King
The High King of New Avalonia is the ruler and leader of the Free United Kingdom. In keeping with the founding ideas of the nation, the High King is absolutely equal in general status to every other citizen and has one vote on matters of national importance. The High King has the power to create new laws and policies, but these decisions can be blocked, overturned or repealed by a simple majority vote of all citizens. It is the duty of the High King to rule the nation fairly and provide general direction to the nation and the people, and the High King is the chief representative of New Avalonia as a legal and political entity. Upon the death or abdication of the ruling High King, an election is held in which anyone may stand for the Throne and be elected. The current and to date only ruler of New Avalonia is High King Arthur I.
Legislature
The legislature of the Free United Kingdom of New Avalonia is bicameral and known collectively as His Royal Majesty's Supreme Council, divided into the High Council (Upper House) and the People's Council (Lower House).
High Council
His Royal Majesty's Most Noble High Council is the name given to the upper house of the Supreme Council. It consists entirely of Nobles and Royals from the regions of the Kingdom, who meet to advise the High King and to also draft national domestic and foreign policies as legislative items. The High Council is a chiefly administrative body and all the laws it proposes are to do with matters of administration and government policy. Any decision of the High Council can be overturned by the People's Council, but with a slightly higher majority of 60% required. The High Council is distinct from the High King's own authority, who's decisions can be overturned by a 50% majority.
People's Council
The Council of the People is the full name of the lower house of the Supreme Council. Whilst the High Council is exclusive to Nobility, every single citizen is given a seat on The Council of the People, making it the embodiment of national Direct Democracy in the Free United Kingdom. Each Citizen gets one vote and holds their seat until death or punishment for a major crime according to law. The Council is charged with creating actual laws instead of policies, and as such can be seen as the more important of the two houses, being more representative. The High Council requires the support of the People's Council to pass any policy that requires a change in national law.
Local Legislature
Each constituent of the Unitary State, and in turn their constituent regions, practice Direct Democracy without formal legislatures. The citizens of a region can overturn any decision made by their own regional leader through a simple majority vote, and can pass any new local law or policy through a majority.
Monarchy and Nobility
The Nobility of New Avalonia consists of a number of non-hereditary title holders who are assigned to rule over a specific region in New Avalonia, with the consent of the People there. Members of the Nobility are considered to be the heads of Noble Houses - Noble Houses do not have any special privelleges, but are considered to be culturally significant. All blood and marriage relatives of a Noble belong to their Noble House. If more than one person from a family is appointed as a Noble, the first to be appointed is regarded as the Head of the House. Nobles have the power to abdicate their title, in which case their successor is elected by the people of the region they govern, otherwise an election is held upon their death. Members of a Noble House have the right to be addressed in a respectful style, but hold no special titles of their own.
Royal Houses
The Royal Houses are special Noble Houses. They are made up of the Monarchs and families of those who rule the constituent countries within the Free United Kingdom - the difference between a Royal and Noble House is that Royals are afforded courtesy titles, but these titles afford them absolutely no power or privellege within the Kingdom and are purely ceremonious. The current Royal Houses are the Royal House of Cionaodha and the Royal House of Gamhain, the latter of which is lead by High King Arthur I.
Titles of Nobility
Titles of nobiltiy are the same through the Free United Kingdom of New Avalonia, and are part of a greater hierarchy of titles. This hierarchy is as follows:
- High King/Queen
- King/Queen
- Prince/ss (if not ruling a Principality, this title is afforded to members of a Royal House on a ceremonial basis)
- Duke/Duchess
- Earl/Countess
- Viscount/ess
- Baron/ess
- Lord/Lady (also a common form of address, and a courtesy title)
Culture
The culture of New Avalonia is centred around the fundamental principles behind most Neo-Pagan faiths, with particular emphasis on those of Celtic origin. Despite this, New Avalonia is neither intended to be a homeland for Pagans nor a Celtic reconstructionist project - it is a nation based on the Pagan philosophical and spiritual principles, but one that does not preach a specific religion or seek to build a new Celtic nation.
Calendar
The national calendar of New Avalonia follows the Eight Fold Year and has the eight Pagan Druidic/Wiccan celebrations included as national holidays, but celebrating these holidays is by no means compulsory and Christianity is afforded it's own holiday on December 25 in recognition of the Roman Catholic co-founder. Similarly, the calendar itself begins in November. Although some of the dates of the true religious holidays vary, the calendar assigns each one to it's approximate date. The national holidays are:
- November 1 - Samhian, New Year
- December 21 - Winter Solstice
- February 2 - Imbolc
- March 21 - Vernal Equinox
- May 1 - Beltane
- June 21 - Summer Solstice
- August 1 - Lughnassadh
- September 21 - autumnal Equinox