The County of Australusia

(Para e versão em português, clique aqui)

Australusia is an "imagi-nation", a ficticious small County located in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula during the middle ages. Its firts ruler was Count Isidro, a noble knight who conquered his share of land and power during the Reconquista wars. 

In his time, Isidro fought many wars against the moors and even a few battles against some christian kingdoms, such as Aragon and León, in order to keep his domains.

Count Isidro divided his county in a few baronies (ruled by Barons) and municipalities (ruled by Alcaids), and gave them to the officers and sargents who fought under his command, thus creating a body of nobles loyal to him and bound to him by law.  Each baron and alcaid was expected to pay tribute to the Count either on goods, gold or silver, and to send men to fight for him, should the need rises.

Isidro was granted permission to issue gold and silver coins in his County. Isidro stablished a mint in his capital, Campo D'Ouro ("Golden Field"), where gold Escudos and silver Cruzados were struck. 

The Land

Australusia is a small, rather flat county with green hills and lusty woods. The soil is specially propicious to cultivate grapes, and, by the time of the 200th aniversary of the County,  Australusian wine was famously appreciated in the whole western Europe.

Its lusty forests also produced good wood, specially to the making of furniture, ships and musical instruments. Thus, the Australusian beech trees became a very sought-after wood in the rest of Europe. Many rival kingdoms tried to steal its seeds and saplings - a crime punishable by death if the thief was caught. Many Frenchmen, Aragonese and even Englishmen and Normans were hanged this way.

In future posts I'll publish the Australusian timeline, flag, coat of arms, map, etc.

(In this humble blog of mine I will publish each text in Portuguese and in English, as separate posts).