National News Gouw Marken

[Gouw Marken]

Markstad, House of representatives

The Staten Generaal, with representatives of all counties, cities and the clergy, has decided to allow other than horse driven traffic on the whole of Gouw Marken territory.

With strong opposition from the rural representatives in the national assemble the law on internal traffic has been passed yesterday. It opens the way to quicker traffic an new initiatives.
Up to now, some areas allowed car traffic, some did not. Railway traffic was impossible with most rural counties holding back construction of the lines. Especially the cities of Markstad, Lippelbergen and Roodezeele were strongly in favor of this law, allowing them to go ahead with plans to build a railway.

But nevertheless, traffic still needs many reforms to reach modern standards: counties and cities raise different taxes on passing traffic and roads are in bad condition. For this reason Gouw Markens freight transport is mostly done by ships on rivers and canals.

The lack of traffic regulations is another problem. The Staten Generaal has decided to overlook this in the future. The representatives of the rural counties have asked and gotten permission to implement a special rule in their districts: until further notice a car in rural area has to be preceded by a man on foot waving with a red flag.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Markstad to open touristic help desk

The city council of Markstad has decided to open a special office for people visiting the capital. The city hall will obtain a counter where tourists can get information of assistance. The guild of backers, the guild of innkeepers and restaurants, the bankers and exchange agents were amongst the interested parties. They got endorsement the Board of Aldermen.
“It is time to attract tourists to this lovely city”, mayor Cornelius baron Loo de Biesten said. People ill be able to assist them in their own language as much as possible. We hope ass well to overcome the problem of absence of embassies or consulates.

It seems other cities and regions are interested as well: Grindonk, Beerwouder and Zwartbeek will work together on a special Gouw Marken Castle Brochure. The abbeys of Klusteren and Eendwater have clearly mentioned they will keep borders of their territory closed for strangers.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Claviceps purpurea infected weath crops in Gouw Marken

A fungal disease in which black elongated fruiting bodies grow in the ears of the cereal.
Causes by consumption hallucinations and stomach pains.
Crops in the north and west of the country have been infected.
All selling and transport of grain and weath suspended.

 

[Rheinbund]

The agricultural faculty of the Technische Universität Köln is interested in samples of the fungal disease affecting the crops in Gouw Marken. We may be able to find a way to fight this fungus, if not immediately, then at least on the longer term.

The medical faculty of the Katholische Universität Köln is also interested in samples of this fungus in order to investigate it. We want to find a medication against the fungus, or an antidote against its toxins, or both.

 

[Gouw Marken]

The Katholieke Prinsbischoppelijke Universiteit Grevelanden (KaPUG) will be ordered to arrange samples for the Katholische Universität.
The request of the Technische Universität Köln unfortunately must be declined as KaPUG can only work together with other catholic institutions.

Mgr. Carolus Massien de Serclaes, National Secretary of Agriculture

 

[Rheinbund]

Medizinische Fakultät der Katholischen Universität Köln
Fachschaft Medizinische Mikrobiologie
Köln, Eiffelland

We thank the KaPUG for arranging samples for us. We will handle them with care and will cooperate with the KaPUG to find a cure for this fungus.

Prof. Dr. Med. Alfred Bohl, Chefarzt, Chairman of the Department of Medical Microbiologics

 

[Gouw Marken]

Watchmen forces intercept contaminated grain

Markstad Harbour. Customs has intercepted a ship with dangerous cargo. The steamer “Waterweeg” had loaded during daytime what had to be wool. The watchmen had seen people leaving the port area during curfew. They were detained because they couldn’t explain why they were in possession of a fair amount of money. After a few hours of interrogation they admitted they had sold grain to a merchant. He shipped it overseas. It is strictly forbidden to export grain, be it contaminated or not; leave alone selling it.

The merchant is to be arrested and bailiffs around the country are asked to be very alert at markets and crossroads. Each infraction will lead to severe punishments and confiscation of the loads.

(OOC: Anyone interested in having a cargo sold at your local harbor? Be my guest)

 

[Gouw Marken]

Abbey of St.-Bernard to sell lumber

Banselmonde - The treasurer of St.-Bernard Abbey has announced today lots of lumber will be put up for sale. The Abbey, in the city of Banselmonde, northwest of Gouw Marken, has lots of forests in possession. Many of them were gifts to the abbey, starting from the early middle ages. The forests are known for their oaks, providing good material for the construction of beer barrels.
Forestry has always been an important source of revenues, but mostly out of forest managing purposes. Sometimes when the abbey needed money for important investments to its infrastructure, a sale of trees was organized.

The announced sale will involve a lot of trees: good oaks, beech, elm and even locust and walnut trees, some of them of respected age. The auction will start 25th of September and is spread over five days. More than 700 lots are to be assigned.

This surprisingly extensive sale is said to be caused by the high food prices. Wheat fields in the county of Banselmonde were highly infected by the fungus disease.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Civil rights for land workers to be discussed

Gouw Markian representatives in the national assemble were discussing the civil rights of the lowest in rank: the land workers.
In agricultural areas of the country, three kind of farmers are to be found. The free farmers or “hereboeren” are totally independent, mostly controlling and managing extensive farms, totally free of taxes to the abbeys or lords of the county. They property is theirs, and can be inherited by their sons and daughters. For jurisdiction they depend on the “schout”, and not the lord or the abbot. They can vote for representation in the national assemble.

The second kin, the “kossaards” are free farmers, but still have some duties to the abbeys or lords, like a annual tax, labor days and heritage costs. Only sons can inherit their fathers property. They are trialed by the lords or abbots. They have only local voting rights, in elections for mayor and deputy mayors.

The last kin, the “lijfeigenen” do not have any rights. They cannot inherit, they cannot vote. The work on the farmlands of their lords. They cannot move, as “they belong to the soil”. They abbeys or lords have obligations too: they have to feed and accommodate those workers and provide them with a little piece of land they can farm on for themselves. Some lords or abbots in areas where industrialization is in its initial phase, make them work in little workshops. The landlords gain the salary of the workman, and pay a little fee to the worker, enough to survive – to buy food and rent a room near to the factory. For the landlords, this is an easy way to make profits. In some counties, a fair amount of fields are not cultivates anymore, because many of the “lijfeigenen” are put onto working in the workshops.

The craftsman of the cities, united in guilds, are free workers and they have their own representation in the national assemble. It is them who are now putting forward the question of civil rights of the “lijfeigenen”. By doing this they hope to stop the practice of cheap labor, which is doing no good to their businesses.

“Every man should be able to decide for themselves where he is going to work”, David De Schoenmekere said today. “And fees should be paid each day, directly to the worker”. Brother Lucas de Hemsbeke, representative for the Clergy of Grevelander County, replied: “And who is going to feed them, or going to house them? Who will be able to pay enough so one could provide for him and his family?”. One of the County Representatives of the Lords added: “A doctor! I do not feel well! For a second I believed you would even plead to give them voting rights”.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Cycling sport events granted permission in whole of Gouw Marken. The National Assemble has voted a law to regulate the sport events on public roads during the weekend. Cycling competitions can be organized if the county gives permission, on Saturday afternoons or on Sunday after 11.30, when Sunday services have ended. Only men can compete. All competitions have to be supervised by an official delegate of the Katholieke Wielrijdersbond (KWB) - the Catholic Cycling Association. Cycling is getting very popular in Gouw Marken, and for the “lijfeigenen”, people working in service of a Lord of Abbey, being a cycling champion is a change to get in favour of their masters and eventually get the status of free farmer.

The Prince-Bishop has send his condolences to the Royal Family of Eiffelland, following the death of Emeritus-King Heinrich. It is the first time in more than a decade that the Griffie (secretary) of Quintus II officially issues a message of condolences for the death of a foreign leader. It seems Markstad wants to make contact again with other nations, after years of isolation.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Amongst the delegation of Gouw Marken at funeral of Emeritus-King Heinrich of Eiffelland, 10th of october: Zeereerwaarde Heer Hugo van der Taelebosch, griffier van de Prins-Bisschop; Graaf Contantin de Larum de Schietere, Heer van Zevenbruggen; Baron Maximiliaan 't Servaes de Zuydcoote, Heer van Zuidkust; Eerwaarde Heer Ursmarus Bladt, abt van Buytenburgen.
The first: secretary of the Prince-Bishop, the second: Speaker of the County Representatives; the third: Secret Advisor of the Prince-Bishop; the last: Primus of the Abbey Clergy.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Peatlands less lucrative over the coming years

The harvesting of peat will get more and more difficult as the best mires are mostly fully exploited.
This leaves Gouw Marken over time with an energy problem, as many households in rural areas are using peat for heating and cooking fires since early ages.
Especially in the County of Gelingebeke many workers risk to loose their jobs within now and five years. Some mires are still to be exploited, but their remote situations urges vast investments in solutions for transportation of the peat.
It leaves the landowners as well with a gap in income to be filled with other businesses.
The coal mine of Zwartheuvel is seeking to increase its production.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Changing politics opens opportunities for Gouw Marken athletes.

The Nordic Games in Oostewegen (Ostveg) are for the first time in history open for athletes of other nations.
Today the Secretary of the Prince-Bisshop has given permission to Gouw Marken sportsman to join the games. It is another step to a more open country and more open politics towards other countries.
The restrictions and specifications of sports in Gouw Marken have to be taken into account: no mixed teams, no woman in “unwomanlike” sports and no competition before 11.30h. on Sundays, during Church Service Time.
Gouw Marken athletes will take part in Biathlon, Ice Hockey and Figure Skating.
It is yet uncertain if athletes from the parts of the country recently struck by poor nutrition, will be ready to participate.

Price of lumber and fuel wood drops to all time low, leaving families with more money to spend on food.
Fishing in ponts still prohibited, stays privilege for abbeys.

 

[Hanseatic Republics]

Det kongelige Utenriksdepartement​ Stiftet 7. februar 1953​ Viktoria terrase, Kristiania, Sørlandet landsdel Kongeriket Østveg​ LOV OM FOREBYGGENDE SIKKERHETSTJENESTE[SUP]a[/SUP]: DET ER FEM GRADER I SYNKENDE REKKEFØLGE. SIKKERHETSLOVEN FOR DETTE DOKUMENTET ER SKREVET SOM: STRENGT HEMMELIG (top secret) HEMMELIG (secret) KONFIDENSIELT (confidential) BEGRENSET (restricted) UKLASSIFISERT (unclassified) Her Majesty's Government wishes to convey the news upon which Nordic Games officials have decided to move forward on the games. The Nordic Games Committees announced with haste this morning that any Sunday scheduling of events in which citizens of your country may be involved, will have scheduled start times between 14:00 and 20:00 in order to avoid any potential conflicts in participation. It is the feeling of the committee that in order to reach full participation, and the best approach to sportsmanship, such scheduling will go forth. That being said, future editions of the games, will treat similar examples on a case by case basis with other nationalities and religious traditions. Med Vennlig Hilsen, Kristin Ragnhild Haavi Kristin Ragnhild Haavi Østvegs utenriksminister Austwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs [SUP]a.[/SUP] - Sikkerhetsloven regulerer adgang til opplysninger som kan skade Østvegs eller dets alliertes sikkerhet, forholdet til fremmede makter, eller andre vitale sikkerhetsinteresser.

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[Gouw Marken]

Price of meat all time low

Due to the crisis in grain more farmers decide or are forced to sell their cattle as they are not able to feed all animals. In regions where the weath crops were highly infected by the fungus Claviceps purpurea up to 70% of the cattle is sold.

This oversupply is causing a severe drop in meat prices. Cattle traders offer ridicule prices, but they are not getting more profit out of it. Butchers will not buy at high prices as the public often is not able to spend more money – often they already rely on their savings for food expenditures. At this stage butchers sell more meat to the public, but at all round lower prices.

Even dairy cattle is brought onto the market by farmers forced to sell. What this means for future food supply and food prices is yet not known.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Woman thought to be a witch

In St.-Ursinbergen, in the far north of the country, a woman is taken in custody. Angry lijfeigenen – that is: farmers belonging to the county or abbey – were gathering around her house, accusing her of sorcery and witchcraft.

People saw her flying on a broomstick, dancing with the devil, marking people with red dots, poisoning a baby and making light in the dark.

For her own safety, she was taken to the courthouse of the county capital Sint-Michiels. There she will stay until further notice.

The abbey of St.-Ursinbergen has seized her belongings, as it is entitled to by county law; everyone accused of sorcery loses its belongings to the nearest abbot. He can personally use these for his own purposes (and not for the benefits of the abbey). The lady had around 25 acres of good labor land, belonging to her late husband. By doing so, the abbot made more people believe she is really a witch.

The way things went in St.-Ursinbergen is criticized by some people, especially the major of Markstad. He said “in times of need a scapegoat is easy to find; a solution is not”. He refers to the fungus in the grain that causes a dreadful food crisis in some counties. Especially the north has much to suffer.

On the other hand, lijfeigenen get no or very limited education, causing superstition. Some counties and abbeys try to keep their unfree farmers that way, making it more easy to keep things on the countryside unchanged for centuries.

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland

We are a bit shocked by the recent events in St-Ursinbergen. We want to make clear that the lady in question has the right to a free trial, and call upon the Abbey of St-Ursinbergen to grant her such a trial. We also call upon the Abbey to return the lands when the lady is acquitted from the accusations against her.

Rudolph Kögler, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor

 

[Gouw Marken]

Congregatie van Costumen en Gebruiken

We can assure this case will be handled according to the laws and customs in our nation and the county of Sint-Ursinbergen.

Carolus van Hoogescreeve d'Ichthem
President of the Congregation of Law and Customs

 

[Gouw Marken]

Taxes on export of beer reduced

Today the national assemble has voted in favor of a reform of the taxes on alcohol. The fees for transportation will be flattened in the whole country. Up to now, every county had its own fees and taxes for importing or exporting beer. In the cities beer could only be imported by recognized beer sellers, and the cities raised taxes on import.

With this leveling, the clergy Representatives and the County Representatives have achieved what they were asking for. Brewing is only granted with permission of the county lord, mostly the abbots or the aristocracy. And in many areas, only the abbeys are permitted to brew. With the reform, the market of production and transportation is widely in their hands.

It is well known the cities have large income on taxes for the loading and unloading of beer and bringing it to market. Now they lose this income. The guild of beer sellers seems to be the overall loser in this matter. The City Representatives have thus voted against the reform.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Medal ‘Moeders van het Vaderland’ granted to 11 women

Today the Prince-bishop has send congratulations to 11 mothers and their families. They were all granted the medal and the title ‘Mother of the Fatherland’. A woman earns this title when she actually has 12 children alive. The twelfth child has the honor to be baptized by the Prince-bishop.

Traditionally these women with big families mostly live in the countryside. In the rural areas it is common to have many children. In the cities, especially the capital, the birth rate is relatively smaller. However, birth control, in what manner it might be, is forbidden in the whole country. Abortion is a crime punished by death penalty.

In these hard times, the Prince-Bishop has asked local authorities to support those families struggling to feed their children. The abbot of Leustergem was the first answer the call. The abbey provides a 75 families with clothes and food during the winter times.