Lone Islands
From WikiNarnia, the Narnian Encyclopedia
The Lone Islands were a territory of three islands under the rule of the Kingdom of Narnia. They were an hereditary Crown Possession, thus the Monarch of Narnia was also the Emperor or Empress of the Lone Islands.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
The Lone Islands consisted of the islands of Felimath, Doorn and Avra. The main settlement was the capital of Narrowhaven located on the island of Doorn. Felimath had a long low terrain and was noted for its lack of trees and grassy meadows. Avra was also well populated and had a good southern harbour.
[edit] Demographics
The main population of the Lone Islands was concentrated on Doorn and Avra. The largest city was Narrowhaven, also the seat of the Governor. The population was mainly humans descended from the original human inhabitants of Narnia. Many Calormenes also lived on the islands. Many slaves lived on Doorn and Avra, and slavers frequented the slave market in Narrowhaven. The nobility mostly had their estates on the island of Avra.
[edit] Government
The Lone Islands have experienced several different forms of government. In the fourth century NY, the King of Narnia was given the rule of the islands as their Emperor. He appointed a governor as his Imperial representative on the islands. The Governor's seat was located on Doorn, in Narrowhaven. While the Governor held the executive position in the islands, the legislative was held by the Council of the Lone Islands. The Council met monthly and its members frequently sat on various commissions. The Governorship lasted another two thousand years until the government of Gumpas. The islands then became a Duchy under the Lord Bern. An annual tribute was required from the islands. The laws of the islands stated that if the tribute was not paid, the debt was required to be paid out of the governor's private purse.
[edit] History
[edit] Early History
The Lone Islands were originally settled by the descendants of King Frank I and Queen Helen. In the early fourth century, a dragon began to terrorize the inhabitants. King Gale of Narnia, ninth in descent from Frank I, delivered the islands by slaying the dragon. In return, the grateful islanders made him their emperor. Gale appointed a governor of the islands to be his representative. The islands continued under Narnian rule through the reign of Jadis, whose title included Empress of the Lone Islands.
[edit] The Golden Age
During the reign of the Pevensies, the islands were visited frequently. Queen Lucy was particularly fond of the islands. Among the ships used on state visits was the Splendor Hyaline.
[edit] Telmarine Age
After the Telmarine Conquest of Narnia, the islands were ignored by the Narnians. A notable slave trade grew up in Narrowhaven, and corruption set in. Calormenes became an increasingly common sight in the islands and the Governor's Castle fell into disrepair. Sometime around the middle of the twenty-second century, the Lone Islands ceased to pay the annual tribute due the King of Narnia.
[edit] Government of Gumpas
Late in the twenty-third or early in the twenty-fourth century, Gumpas became the last governor of the islands. Although previously known for a lenient attitude towards slavery in the islands, the government under Gumpas became notorious for corruption, lack of discipline and dubious dealings with the Calormene Empire. Burgeoning bureaucracy hampered any attempt at reform; although some, notably Lord Bern, constantly petitioned for an end to the slave trade. Gumpas spent considerable amounts of time drawing up charts and reports for the Council.
[edit] Dukedom of the Lone Islands
When Caspian X visited the islands in NY 2306, he removed Gumpas as governor, and brought an end to the two thousand year old office. He established a Dukedom, with Lord Bern as the first Duke. Caspian also brought about an end to the slave trade in the islands by closing the slave market at Narrowhaven. This move soured relations with Calormen.
[edit] Foreign Relations
The Lone Islands had always occupied a unique position in Narnian foreign policy. Located off the coast of Calormen, they provided a link with that empire and Narnia. Their considerable distance from Narnia always meant that their Narnian loyalties were somewhat questionable. After Caspian X closed the slave market in NY 2306, the Calormenes became increasingly belligerent towards Narnia, finally culminating in the Calormene Conquest in NY 2555.
