Northumbrianism

The flag of the Kingdom of Northumbria is a common Northumbrianist symbol

Northumbrianism is a political movement in Sorrenia to redefine the Kingdom of Sorrenia as a Northumbrian entity. Some support greater introduction of Northumbrian imagery, such as the imposition of the Northumbrian smallpipes as the national instrument, or Border tartan as the national dress. Others prefer a complete abandonment of Sorrenia's micronational past and a reshaping of the movement into one of Northumbrian independence based on the macronational identity alone. Others still support the notion of the North-east region of Sorrenia acting as a 'leading light' of the nation, superior in authority to those living in the western or southern counties.

Although not necessarily antithetical, Northumbrianism is generally seen in opposition to Celticism.

History

The Northumbrian smallpipes are a cultural piece celebrated by all Northumbrianists

Northumbrianism in Sorrenia is a modern political identity. Prior to the formation of the Kingdom of Sorrenia, Northumbrianism was entirely absent from the political sphere, with the major parties instead favouring Celticism, a desire to create Sorrenia as the seventh Celtic nation.

Upon the ascension of King Ronald, Celticism fell out of favour and Northumbrianism arose.

The ideology quickly became political dogma, accepted in some form by all the major parties. As a result, the major parties each often try to claim they most accurately represent the Northumbrian identity.

Despite its widespread acceptance, the separatist movements usually reject Northumbrianism, and the internal differences between supposed Northumbrianists means how closely Sorrenia mirrors Northumbria is still heavily contested.

Political Parties

Northumbrianism was first adopted by the New Monarchists, who envisaged King Ronald as a spiritual descendent of the old Kings of Northumbria. Now, the New Monarchists generally support 'soft Northumbrianism', aiming to introduce the Cumbric language into greater use, as well as supporting Northumbrian nationalism. The party however still strongly supports retaining the Sorrenian identity.

The Christian Alliance is similarly dominated by soft Northumbrianism, however 'hard Northumbrianism' is also most notably present in the Alliance. Some support a complete abandonment of the Sorrenian identity, calling for a name change and a removal of any pre-Kingdom Sorrenian imagery. Nonetheless, hard Northumbrianism is still a minority in the party.

The Republicans generally merge soft Northumbrianism with a working-class identity, celebrating the industrial history of the region. Some however call for a deviation of traditional Northumbrianism in favour of an openly multicultural modern Sorrenia. In contrast, a strong faction of Republicans identify as Pitmatic, a socialist ideology that explicitly identifies the traditional working class found largely in the North East as the vanguard of Northumbrianism.

The NDLP strongly favours the aforementioned pluralist form of Northumbrianism, with a strong emphasis on modern immigrants and the large student population and their cultural role in modern Northumbria. Many also support greater devolution, away from the North-east in favour of the west and south; a political ideology termed Millomism.

Concepts

The various prestigious universities in Sorrenia have had a significant impact on its modern identity

Northumbrianism has become an extremely nebulous term, generally referring to any policies and stances that aim in some way to celebrate or further the Northumbrian identity. As a result, concepts termed 'Northumbrianist' may be in competition, and politicians who both self-describe as 'Northumbrianist' may viscerally oppose one another.

Northumbrianism is generally divisible into four schools of thought - difference and similarities can be noted between all four schools.

In general, the cultural policies of Soft Northumbrianism are accepted by all others, with additions made.

Soft Northumbrianism

Soft Northumbrianism is by far the most common form found in Sorrenia. It proposes the merging of Sorrenian and Northumbrian identity into one, retaining the cultural history and institutions of the former, while reintroducing the latter into modern Sorrenia.

Policies generally supported by Soft Northumbrianists include:

 • Northumbrian Language - Sorrenian Cumbric should be used as a secondary language
 • Northumbrian Imagery - the Northumbrian flag, along with cultural aspects such as the smallpipes, Northumbrian cuisine, border tartan and so on should be brought into greater use
 • Northumbrian Independence - Sorrenia should frame its independence struggle as that of Northumbrian independence, aiming to recreate a modern, independent Northumbrian state
 • Syncretic Culture - traditional Northumbrian culture should be combined with the modern and Sorrenian culture
 • Retention of Institutions - the Sorrenian monarchy, constitution and other institutional frameworks should be maintained

Hard Northumbrianism

Hard Northumbrianism is a minor movement supported by some elements of the right. It conversely endorses the abandonment of the Sorrenian project entirely, instead creating a micronation centred only upon the macronational Northumbrian identity.

Policies generally supported by Hard Northumbrianists include:

 • Name Change - Sorrenia should only utilise the name 'Northumbria'
 • Abandonment of Sorrenian Culture - Northumbria should focus solely on its macronational identity and culture, abandoning its micronational past
 • New Institutions - the Kingdom of Sorrenia should be largely reshaped, introducing new institutional frameworks and a new constitution
 • New Monarch - supported by a minority of Hard Northumbrianists, some call for the institution of a different monarch, potentially Ralph Percy, Duke of Northumberland or Edward Lambton, Earl of Durham

Neo-Northumbrianism

Neo-Northumbrianism describes a more pluralist approach, placing greater emphasis upon Northumbria's modern history. Neo-Northumbrianists generally defend minority rights, and espouse the cultural role students and immigrants have played in more recent decades.

Policies generally supported by Neo-Northumbrianists include:

 • Multiculturalism - Northumbria should adopt an actively multiculturalist approach, accepting and embracing the influence of immigrant populations in cities such as Bradford
 • Sorrenian Minorities - micronational minority groups (especially the Amon Lasgalenese, Hortanians and Dradelians) should have their cultural history protected
 • White Rose Parliament - a devolved legislature should be created for Yorkshire, Hortania and the Humberside
 • Green Parliament - a devolved legislature should be created for Amon Lasgalen
 • Red Rose Parliament - a devolved legislature should be created for Lancashire and Cumbria
 • Students - the large student populations throughout Sorrenia should be recognised for their modern cultural significance

Socialist Northumbrianism

Miners' banners are a point of pride for many Pit villages

Socialist Northumbrianism places greater emphasis upon Northumbria's industrialist history, with an active celebration of the labour movement and cultural events such as the Durham Miners' Gala. A more political variant of Socialist Northumbrianism, named Pitmatic identifies the old working-class of Northumbria - made up of miners, factory workers and other proletarian professions - as the vanguard of the Northumbrian identity.

Policies generally supported by Socialist Northumbrianists include:

 • Working Class Identity - Northumbria should be fundamentally linked with its working class heritage, embracing the labour union movement, miners' strikes and so on
 • Socialist Imagery - socialist-influenced imagery such as the miners' banners should be formally introduced
 • Socialist Policies - the Northumbrian government should place emphasis on aiding the traditional working class of Sorrenia through social and economic programs
 • Pitmatic - the traditional working class of Northumbria, mostly found in the North-East should be heralded as the vanguard of the Northumbrian identity