Kingdom of the Osterlands
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Kingdom of the Osterlands | |
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 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Motto: Voor den Konink et den Volk (Osterdutch: For the Crown and the People) | |
| Capital | Osterberg |
| Official languages | Osterdutch, English |
| Demonym(s) | Osterian |
| Government | Constitutional Monarchy |
| Currency | Osterian Guilder |
The Kingdom of the Osterlands is a micronation founded on the 26 November 2013.
Etymology
The name 'Osterlands' first appears in a 1565 document written by St Anton of Horst (1533 - 1602) who recorded a short stay in the city of Osterberg. 'Oster' was the name of the reigning ducal family and therefore 'Osterlands' simply refers to the lands belong to that family. In Osterdutch, the Kingdom is known as 'Den Osterlanden' in it's short form and 'Den Koninkreijk van den Osterlanden' in it's long form.
History
The Osterlands consist of five states; The Oster, Weissen, Herrenberg, Walden and the Geldt. These states were grouped together in a land dispute between two ducal families, the Oster and the Geisse, in 1603 when it was determined that the male line of the Geisse family had become extinct and the lands were recognised as belonging to the Duke of Oster and his family. However by 1703, the Oster family had also become extinct and the Ducal Council declared the state to be a republic, recognised by most European nations and known as the Oster Republic (Oster Republik). In 1790, unhappy with republican rule, a coup took place supported by clergy, disposed nobles and exiled state ministers which toppled the republican government and petitioned the Great Powers for protection. At the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the borders of the Osterlands were defined and a new dynasty established in the country. The country's new constitution was enacted in the same year.
Government and politics
As a constitutional monarchy, parliament and the crown are linked. Since 1816, the Osterlands has had a bicameral parliament with the House of State Ministers and the House of Noble Ministers passing legislation on the direction of the incumbent government which required royal assent to become law. However in 1955, the constitution was revised and some reserve powers held by the crown were given to the Speaker of the House of State Ministers. Whilst this made the monarchy more ceremonial, the constitution still demands that bills of law must be granted assent by the crown to become law, however they also require the assent of the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the House of State Ministers. In 1985, the House of Noble Ministers saw hereditary peers replaced by life peers. The Crown appoints life peers on the recommendation of the government. Bills of Law may be appealed against in the High Court but a petition must be presented before royal assent is granted.