2010-01-14 18:31:29
The Chester Conflict 1457
During the last months of 1457, the Castle of Chester was occupied by an invading army. They took the power away from the elected the council and the leader of the army installed a council of his own. The occupation lasted until just before the end of the year, when negotiations ended the conflict and installed an interim council.
On November 6th, the list “The Hard line” won the Chester Elections. They were the only list running in those elections. On the same day, the banner of the army “Legion of Silence” was raised, indicating its creation. The army was not sanctioned by the Chester Council. The leader of this army was Rouguelaw. The group responsible for its creation called themselves The Corsairs. The Wolves of Sherwood allied themselves with The Corsairs and joined the army.
On November 8th, Lorddragon was recognized as Duke of Chester. At the same time, a discussion started in the Military Council on how to deal with the Corsair army. Military leaders within the Council started preparations to deal with the unsanctioned army. The Chester Council feared that the Corsair army would attack Chester Capital and started preparations. The County inventory was emptied and taken to safety. According to Lorddragon, a 6 day reserve for mine maintenance was left behind.
The next day, November 9th, the Legion of Silence marched into the capital. No fights were reported. Either nobody had defended the town, or the army was allowed entrance by the mayor at that time, Aravis. The army occupied the city and took the castle. A new council was being installed, Rouguelaw declared himself Duke of Chester. The elected Chester Council fled the lost capital for Holywell. In the mean time, Elmix, Marshall of the Knights of Phoenix, asked permission to Lancaster Council to pass through their lands south in order to aid Chester against the Corsair Army. Lancaster lays to the north of Chester. Lancaster granted Elmix passage on November 11th.
On November 10th, Arthur_loxley, Duke of Stafford (the county south of Chester) announced the ducal decree “Stafford Neutrality Proclamation”. Its purpose was to indicate that Stafford did not want to support any side in the Chester conflict, not the ousted Chester Council or the occupying Corsair army. Stafford did announce a shipment of aid in the form of food, fodder and stone. The exact content of this shipment or how it was used was never made public.
On November 13th, Arkrantos, member of the Ousted Council, creates an army “Chester Bowmen 2nd Division” in Holywell. This army was sanction by the elected Chester Council. In the mean time, a message is spread in Lancaster “Lancaster - stay neutral or vengeance will follow – WoS”. The Wolves of Sherwood neither deny nor confirm to have sent the message. Lancaster chooses to help the ousted Chester Council.
In the House of Parliament, a State of National Emergency fails. It was called for by the Regent Gabrielle_ before the Chester conflict started and put to vote during the conflict. The ousted Chester Council did not support the vote. Lorddragon stated “We stand opposed to National Emergency legislation solely because we need one command structure, one leader of our forces, and one body that decides which forces will enter, what their actions will be while they are here, and when they will disband. That body, per our law, is the Council of Chester. There is no need for the decisions to be taken from the hands of those elected to the position.” Lorddragon does ask for soldiers to come help fight the Corsair Council. At the same time, Rouguelaw demands access to the Chambers of the Counts of England. The Regent denies Rouguelaw access and does not recognize Rouguelaw as the legal Count (and therefore leader) of Chester.
On November 17th, the ousted Chester Council in Holywell decides to make the town sovereign, as a form of protection against the Corsair Council using its power from the Capital. Holywell’s citizens lose access to the County services, such as the Courts, the University and the purchase of animals.
On November 19th, Helius, in an unknown capacity, raises an army in Beeston, Chester County. Lorddragon and Rouguelaw both deny responsibility for sanctioning its creation.
Going through the second half of November, Elmix’ KOP army and Arkantos’ Chester Army try to gather enough soldiers to deal with the Corsair army. At the end of the month, Elmix must move his army to the Northern border in Cumberland to defend it. England is defended with a victory, but the Chester Castle stays occupied into the start of December.
The Chester ousted Council searches for soldiers as the months passes on. On December 19th, 12 Sussex citizens travelling in 2 groups on their way to join the army in Holywell, are attacked by the Corsair army in Chester Capital, the first and only fight in the Chester conflict.
At the same time, it becomes clear what the purpose of Helius’ army was. Negotiations took place and the plan for an interim council were formed. The Corsair army would disband and the interim Council would take power until new elections take place. This plan is supported by the Regent and is carried out. A vote is held in the Chester Inn on the plan. 15 people living in Chester agree with the Council, 6 vote no. The total population of the two towns was tallied to be 244 people at that time. The vote receives opposition claiming it was not a real election. A request is given to the House of Parliament to recognize the interim council as the Council of Chester.
On December 29th, the plan is carried out. The Legion of Silence disbands and the Interim Council takes power in Chester County. The vote in the House of Parliament to recognize the Council fails: it does not meet the necessary quorum.
After New Year, Holywell is turned back to the County of Chester. On January 4th, the new elections conclude. The list “Democratic people of Chester” wins the election and gains 10 seats. The list “Chester United” gains 2 seats. Lylefujin is recognized as Duke of Chester.
In return for the peaceful resolution of the conflict, the people serving on the Legion of Silence were given amnesty. One person would stay to face charges for betrayal: Aravis, the mayoress of Chester Capital at the time of the conflict and current council member of Chester. Her case is still ongoing.
There are no reliable reports concerning the damage done.