Principality of Azuria
| Azuria | |
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Motto: Quatenus de una | |
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| Founded: | A.D. 425 (approx.) |
| Government Type: | Monarchy |
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| Current legal heir: Prince Azure XI | |
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The Principality of Azuria is a disestablished, defunct, state and former Celtic kingdom with a rich history in several present-day suburbs of Malton, most notably Nixbank. A unique trait of Azuria was its Brythonic-speaking population, a linguistic minority whose descendants remain largely concentrated in Nixbank, and, albeit through a lesser extent, western Wykewood to this day.
Known History
Until fairly recent excavations on the banks of the Ruddle River unearthed numerous artifacts, burial grounds, and ancient stone monuments, little was known about what has now come to be known as the Principality of Azuria. It is first recorded to have existed in some form or another around the year AD 425, when a nobleman hailing from Hen Ogledd, then known only by the arms Azure, established an Azurian dynasty - consolidating the local population under his protection.
The first mention of Azure and his exploits against Pictish raiders were brought to light in the 1800's, after an industrial park was erected in Page Plaza, now a police station. Broken granite fragments discovered at the site were believed to have once been included with a monument dedicated to Azure's princess, Sharon, who was despised by several prominent subjects at the time due in part to her name, which may have suggested a Jewish background. The inscriptions on the few pieces which survived long enough for detailed study are in British Romance, including what appears to be a lengthy description of Azure's princely titles.
Pictish incursions continued to prove a headache for many of the Britons as they attempted to preserve their sub-Roman society in the absence of imperial rule, but their enlisting the aid of Germanic tribes such as the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes to turn back this threat were opposed by many among their own people. Azure's descendants seemed to have been avid critics of what they termed a "godless invasion" by the Anglo-Saxon peoples who subsequently founded a colony in Foulkes Village, just to Azuria's immediate south.
Prince Azure VII and a number of petty Romano-British lords joined forces to stop the "pagan Saxons" from continuing a "destructive assault" on their respective dominions in the early 6th century. The ensuing wars which followed lasted well into the 700's, and effectively checked Anglo-Saxon influence into Nixbank's contemporary boundaries.
Destruction and Legacy
It is believed that Azuria ceased to exist as an independent state at some point around AD 800. The Mercian kingdom seemed to have finally reduced the principality to vassaldom, and historians record that there was fairly heavy fighting around Azuria's western borders during the reign of Coenwulf.
By the year 804, no trace remained of the old territory's past borders, and the royal family was believed to have been killed or forced into exile. Worthy of note are the fact that distant relatives also bearing the Azure name and heraldry were recognised as feudal barons after the Norman Conquests of England in 1066.
According to obscure folklore in Nixbank, a "King Sapphire" was among those killed by grotesque trolls who lived in the marshy banks of the Ruddle River during Medieval times. This is likely a reference to the princes of Azuria. The term 'Sapphire' was commonly associated with azure, because of the jewel's distinct colour, although the latter was favored by French-speaking Normans as a synonym for blue.
