Settlers of the New World (Map Game)

This game is a work in progress.

Welcome to Settlers of the New World, a map game based on the early years of English colonization of the Americas, and the establishment of colonies, settlements, and later American states. This game will begin in the early seventeenth century, and allow you the opportunity to play as a trade company or proprietor of a colony in the (alternate) new world.

Map




Moderators

 * Vandenhoek (talk)
 * Zsasza

English Colonies (Players)
Strafford Bay Charter
 * Player: Vandenhoek (talk)
 * Type: Proprietary Charter
 * Leader:
 * Purpose: Catholic colony
 * Location: Strafford Bay
 * Settlements:
 * Trenton (1621) - George Wentworth
 * Weymouth (1622)
 * Mariapolis (1624) - Henry Pendleton
 * Essex (1629)

Nauset Bay Charter
 * Player: Zsasza
 * Type: Self-governing
 * Leader:
 * Purpose: Religious freedom for English Separatists
 * Location: Nauset Bay
 * Settlements:
 * Cambridge (1620)
 * Concord (1622)
 * Charlestown

Flaadland Royal Charter
 * Player: Zamarak500 (talk) 02:10, April 14, 2018 (UTC)
 * Type: Crown Charter
 * Leader: George Sarton
 * Purpose: Presbyterian colony
 * Location: Flaadland
 * Settlements:
 * Roberttown (1628) -
 * Craigmouth (1632) -
 * New Falkirk (1635) -
 * Longshank (1637) -
 * Woodwick (1646) -
 * Argyll (1651) -
 * Leven (1652) -

London Company
 * Player: Kingconor
 * Type: Self-governing colonies controlled by a joint stock company
 * Leadership:
 * Company Treasurer: Thomas Gates
 * New Britain Governor: Matthew White
 * Deputy Governor: William Burke
 * Purpose: Financial gain
 * Location:
 * Settlements:
 * Northern Colony
 * Blackwall (1626) - John West
 * New Britain
 * Norfolk (1630) - John Dale
 * Somersburg (1633) - William Somers
 * Avalon (1635) - Under Norfolk Jurisdiction
 * Cape Henry (1635) - Under Norfolk Jurisdiction
 * Lincoln (1636) - Francis Harvey

Unamia
 * Player: Thecoldmalsyw (talk)
 * Type: Self-governing
 * Leader: John Winthrop the Elder
 * Purpose: Religious freedom
 * Location: South of Nauset Bay
 * Settlements:
 * Warwick (1635) - Governor
 * Davenport (1638) - Thomas Davenport
 * Portland (1639)

French Colonies (Mod-Controlled)
St. Denis River
 * Saint-Pascal (1610)
 * Lévis (1614)
 * Bécancour (1616)
 * Longueuil (1621)

Delaporte Lake
 * Beauport (1636)

Dutch Colonies (Mod-Controlled)
New Netherlands
 * New Amsterdam (1614)
 * Staaten Eylandt (1622)
 * Pavonia (1630)
 * Gravesend (1632)

1620-1625



 * Strafford Bay Charter: Having received his royal charter Lord Strafford begins raising men for a voyage to the area. Generous land grants are given out to attract settlers. Specifically settlers are promised fifty acres of land for each person they bring to the colony, including indentured servants and slaves. Elsewhere many Catholics are attracted by the promise of religious freedom, including some Catholic aristocrats and merchants. Thomas Wentworth elects to remain in England for now, but dispatches his younger brother George to lead the expedition. In total about 300 people are recruited for the initial voyage, departing on three ships; Ark, Dove, and Rose. They depart in November and arrive in the New World on 26 March 1621, at the southern coast of an island near "Strafford Bay". They stay here temporarily, and call the island Providence Island, while scouting out the surround area. Eventually they come to a defensible position in the north and begin constructing a settlement in late April, known as Trenton. They find that the natives are friendly in this region, and trade commences with them. The group quickly works on constructing shelters and defenses, as George Wentworth is fearful of a possibly harsh winter. The settlement is constructed on a relatively flat hill known as Cole Hill. Approximately a year later another two ships manage to find the settlement at Trenton, who were tasked with finding another location for a trade post and settlement. They found the settlement of "Weymouth" further north up the "Strafford River". In 1623 more ships arrive, this time bringing the first cattle to the colony at Trenton. Several plantations are created south of Weymouth and south of Trenton. An outpost is established north of Trenton across the Congaratan River, known as Charlestown. In total about 800 people settle in the Strafford Bay colony by the end of 1625.
 * Nauset Bay Company: A group of settlers from England, including some 100 Puritan Separatists, 50 other Protestant settlers, and 40 crew members, soldiers, etc, set sail from Plymouth for the New World, having been granted the Nauset Bay region by royal charter. The group lands on the easternmost part of the nearby peninsula, but continue along the coast. They discover a large peninsula jutting north, connected by a narrow neck. Luckily the area's natives had largely abandoned the peninsula due to disease outbreak, and the settlers are able to land here without incident. A small fort is established in the south, and a wall is built across the narrow neck, cutting off the peninsula from the mainland. This more or less leaves the entire peninsula safe from intrusion, and the settlers begin building homes further north along the coast. The city is named Cambridge after the English city of the same name. Although the winter of 1620/1621 causes heavy losses for the unprepared settlers, by 1621 they manage to establish themselves and begin trading with the natives for food and aid. Approximately 140 of the original settlers remain, and this number is brought up to 250 by late 1621, as more settlers arrive. In 1622 another group arrives and establishes an independent colony to the west, called Concord. The location proves to be a strategic one, and the river is named the Charles River after the reigning monarch. A town called Charlestown is founded across from Concord, which grows in size after a fort is constructed there to guard the river. By 1625 the population of Oxford manages to grow to 350, while neighboring Concord and Charlestown reach 200 and 100 respectively. A few also venture down the Charles River, discovering that it continues far to the north.

1625-1630


Full Map: https://imgur.com/1FAIOLq

'It is discovered that the Dutch have managed to establish a settlement known as New Amsterdam, located between England's two colonies. This colony as a whole becomes known as New Netherlands.'

'The French establish several trade posts along the St. Denis River in the north, including the settlement of Louisbourg. '


 * London Company: The London Company is founded as a joint stock company in London, England. The company attracts a number of wealthy businessmen and merchants, who select Thomas Gates, formerly of the East India Company, as the company's first leader. Approximately 1,800 people become investors in the company, and these funds are used to purchase supplies and ships for an expedition. The company receives a royal charter for the area "north of Strafford Bay". In 1626 the first expedition of 190 men departs from England, landing in a swampy region. The group travels up river to a defensible spot, and begins building a fort to defend themselves. They call the settlement Blackwall. After about a year the colony established well enough to begin dealing with the native population surrounding the English. After a shakey first year with the natives, all out war breaks out in 1627. Additional men and women arrive in the colony, and by 1630 about 350 people reside in the colony. Meanwhile a second expedition is commissioned by the London Company to explore further south. William Burke is selected to lead the expedition, in search of a second location to settle.
 * Flaadland Royal Charter: The newly crowned King Charles the First (crowned in 1625) learned of Covenanters agitating in Scotlands. He decide to send them to the New World, hoping to both get rid of them and colonize new lands for his kingdoms. Charles chose Sir Thomas MacEalar, a Scot loyal to the crown, to lead the expedition, giving him a Charter over a small region and making him the governor of whatever new colony the Covenanters would create. About 400 Scottish Presbyterians make the trip accross the sea in 1627, although only 352 will made it alive. In 1628, they land at the end of a river. The leader of the covenanters, a priest named Donald Woodwick, chose the exact spot of the landing, and name this land Fladdland (Alan Fitz Flaad was the ancestor of House Stuart). Keeping with the idea, MacEalar name the settlement Roberttown, after the first Stuart King of the Scots Robert II . Quickly, problems arrise in the new settlement as Donald Woodwick become far more influencal among the settlers than MacEalar. The Governor find himself almost powerless, with the inhabitants of Roberttown turning to Woodwick asking if they should obey MacEalar's orders or not. In 1830, Governor MacEalar send a letter to the king, in which he nervously ask a few troops alongside the next batch of settlers, so that he could quell the influence of Woodwick.
 * Strafford Bay Charter: The primary settlement at Trenton continues to grow and attract more settlers. The initial fortification in the north end becomes heavily congested, and some of the older houses are demolished and replaced with new brick homes, becoming the first in the colony. Trenton proper is surrounded by a new wooden wall to help defend the settlement, which connects in the north end to the original fort. Additionally the southern part of the city sees growth as a commercial district takes hold. Much of the rest of the settlement remains agricultural. A dirt road is created stretching along the entire border of the eastern most wall, called Wall Street, and this street is continued about two miles south from the city limits. The area along this street and stretching west to the sea becomes the site of plantations. Several wealthy individuals who were able to bring a large number of slaves, servants, and family members are able to claim this territory. The outpost across the river in the north sees growth as well, and is rechristened as Mariapolis, after the king's spouse, a Roman Catholic. Henry Pendleton is selected as judge of the settlement. To the east a new outpost is created further up river, which becomes known as Essex.

1630-1635
Map: https://imgur.com/QUcxd7R

The settlers at Flaadland discover that the river near Roberttown continues much further inland than previously thought, and discover a series of lakes upriver.

'William Burke's expedition returns to England having mapped out the far south. He returns with knowledge of the southern coast for the London Company's use. With this knowledge the king decides to extend the London Company's charter so that it includes the area "north from Blackwall" and "all land south of the 35th parallel" (the region beginning several miles south of Flaadland). '

Native raids damage Blackwall, and as a result soldiers are dispatched to the London Company's colony, and well as to Flaadland as requested, although in small number.


 * London Company: The initial colony at Blackwall continues to grow and prove successful, however, the strain of native attacks makes the colony not as profitable as first hoped. The news from William Burke changes the company's direction, as it appears the south is far more promising, especially when it is discovered that tobacco grows well in the region. A settlement is created in this new territory, south of the "Burke River", called Norfolk. As more and more settlers and investors are attracted to the company, some 600 settlers arrive in Norfolk from 1630 to 1632. The colony is situated on a small peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean/nearby bay, the mouth of the Burke River, and a western river, which connects to a larger river extending far to the west. This larger river becomes known as the James River, leading into the smaller Norfolk Bay. The settlement grows along the coast of the Burke and Norfolk, with large tobacco plantations extending to the south and southeast. One of the most wealthy investors in the London Company, William Somers, manages to buy a large land grant on the opposite shore of the James River, and manages to lead his own expedition for the London Company to this section, which he calls Somersburg. A fort is constructed and a small settlement, while plantations are set up expending far to the north. It is discovered that the settlement is on a narrow peninsula, sandwiched between the James River and a northern one, which is called the August River. John West is appointed governor of Blackwall, while William Burke is appointed governor of Norfolk. Despite this Burke begins raising interest for more exploration and settlement further upriver.
 * Flaadland Royal Charter: In early 1630, the Covenanter David Leary is the first to explore the full extent of the river, which lead to a lake. During his trip, Leary discover natives living on both shores of the river west of the settlement, but does his best to evade contact with them. When he come back to Roberttown, Leary is acclaimed as a hero by his fellow Covenanters. Woodwick demand that the river be called the Leary River from now on. MacEalar is forced to concede the demand, by is able to get that the lake be called Bruce Lake (after Robert the Bruce, King of the Scots). Later that year, MacEalar discover that King Charles did not listen to his demand, not sending any troops with the newly arrived settlers (once again composed of Covenanters Charles wanted to get rid of). Still, those new settlers double the size of Roberttown. The town is expanded toward the sea, but so far doesn’t expand on the southern shore of the Leary River. In 1631, first contacts between the natives (calling themselves the Sakawes) and the Covenanters are made. Against orders of MacEalar, Woodwick encourage Covenanters to go east and attack the Sakawe village on the northern shore of the river. David Leary form a militia and begin patrolling the river by July 1831, attacking any Sakawe boat trying to travel between the southern and northern villages. In 1632, this little “war” goes out of hand on the day of Pentecost (20 Mai). Woodwick a group of armed Covenanters to the northern Sakawe village. The ensuing battle, which is referred as the “Victory of the White Day” saw the Covenanters expulse the Sakawe from their village and push them to the southern side of Leary River. Celebrating the day, a settlement is quickly founded on the ruins of the Sakawe village, named Craigmouth (after John Craig, considered the founder of the Covenanters). Although this blatant disregard for his authority anger MacEalar, this assault is the excuse he finally needed to ask the king for troops, saying it is to protect the settlers from the native. The new Covenanters exiled (this time people disgusted by Charles’s Anglican coronation as King of Scotland) arrive in late 1633. But the governor is dismayed to find that the troops coming with the new Covenanters are nowhere near what he asked, being only a dozen of troops. This show that King Charles either did not care about MacEalar’s problems or believed that his governor exaggerated the threat of the natives. But MacEalar still try to get Roberttown under control. On Christmas 1833, three Covenanters are arrested for “Disturbing the public peace. Realizing he could not keep them here, MacEalar deported them to Blackwall, alongside with a letter for John West explaining his situation. Following this Christmas arrest, the arrest of a man accused of stealing from a soldier cause a protest lead by Woodwick. Although the man is found guilty, tensions begin to rise between Leary’s militia, as the criminal was a militiaman, and the troops. Once again, MacEalar deport the criminal to Blackwall. He also put Leary in charge of Craigmouth, using this to get rid of the militia leader. The militia quickly fall apart with their leader gone, although they still keep their guns and follow Woodwick. Still, by April 1634 the King’s law is being applied without any issues. As long as the King doesn’t do anything to anger the Covenanters in England, the local Covenanters should stay in line.
 * Strafford Bay Colony: Dismayed by the encroaching London Company into the Strafford Bay charter, the local government at Trenton elects to send surveyors and explorers to formally chart out the colony's territorial claims. The head of the expedition, John Radcliffe, marks an inlet approximately half way between Weymouth and Roberttown as the formal southern border, and calls it Radcliffe Inlet. Meanwhile traders travel up the Congaratan River and establish trade posts in native territory. Trade increases when news arrives that the nearby Blackwall settlers have initiated war with the same tribe of natives, and we refrain from selling weapons to the natives in order to not inadvertently hurt other Englishmen. Work begins on creating a proper dock in north Trenton after a large investment from several English merchants, and after receiving the support of the town's inhabitants.
 * Nauset Bay Colony: A pastor and educator named James Locke founds the first university in the English colonies, known as Locke University, located in central Cambridge. Although small, thanks to donations from Locke and other Englishmen, in 1633 the school obtains the first printing press in the colonies, and constructs a small campus. The city itself quickly grows ad before long much of the small peninsula, bounded by the southern defensive wall, is well settled. As the Northend becomes more urban, the city sets aside a plot of land to become the Cambridge Common. Elsewhere most of the farms of the settlement move south and west, including south of the city limits. The city also begins construction of a dock in the most densely populated part of the town, albeit much smaller than any European city. In 1634 another group of settlers arrives independent of the Cambridge contingent, and lands on the southern shore of the peninsula southeast of Cambridge. They settle a fort here, and within a year plantations spring up around it. The settlement is christened Portsmouth.

1635-1640
Map: https://imgur.com/bxRg7EJ

'The Swedish South Company founds a colony known as New Sweden south of New Netherlands, settling along the “South River”. The main fort in the region is the settlement of Christina, located at the river’s mouth. Additionally Swedish explorers follow the river upriver, and also chart out the nearby coast more accurately. '

' In 1637 Charles I imposes a Book of Common Prayer in Scotland, leading to riots and opposition in the National Covenant. After initial attempts to quell the unrest fails, armed conflict breaks out in 1639 and a few skirmishes take place in northern England. A treaty is signed in Berwick, which temporarily ensures peace into the end of the year, however, both sides continue to raise troops and prepare for war. '
 * Flaadland Royal Colony: (OOC: I put it down in multiple paragraphes because it was a long post, so I though it would be better in multiples dots than just one big paragraph. Should be shorter next posts.)
 * In early 1635, a new group of settlers arrived, this time bigger than the last two (so about 600 people). The reason for this bigger number was that alongside the 400 Covenanters that were expected, King Charles sent 200 Englishmen. According to Charles’s letter, those were English Presbyterians, but Governor MacEalar had difficulty believing it and highly suspected those were Anglicans. The Englishmen settled in Roberttown, alongside the majority of the Covenanters. However, about 50 of them, led by Elder (basically priest for Presbyterians, from what I read) Henry MacValen, who settled a couple of miles north of Roberttown, calling it New Falkirk (after the Battle of Falkirk, famous battle of Wiliam Wallace against England). The new community built its own rural community, based around the church of MacValen. It seemed that MacValen was imitating Woodwick, who was both the religious leader of Roberttown and its biggest landowner, having the people of his congregation working his fields.
 * MacEalar suspicions about the English settlers were confirmed when two months after their arrival, they asked him for the permission to build their own church in the community. Although aware that this would anger the Covenanters, he also knew that Charles probably sent them for this exact reason, and so was forced to go along with the king’s plan. This caused massive protests in Roberttown, and soon Covenanters began hindering the construction of the building. With the Covenanter refusing to build the church and the Anglicans too occupied with their daily life, MacEalar had to use the soldiers to build the church, which was only completed by mid-1636. To stop Woodwick from immediately torching it, MacEalar organized a meeting with the religious leader. In exchange of letting the church be, Woodwick and other Elders would receive massive land rights around Roberttown. The first meeting was inconclusive however, but they finally reached a deal when MacEalar added the right for David Leary to reform his militia, although it had to stay in Craigmouth. Still, the life between the two communities was full of tensions. On the New Year celebration of 1637, things finally exploded when a drunk Englishman raped a Covenanter woman. Angered, Woodwick and the Covenanters called for blood. They torched the church, and in the ensuing chaos the Anglican priest and two other men were killed. MacEalar, angered that Woodwick did not uphold his end of the bargain, had the leader arrested by the troops, although he was forced to release him two days later due to pressures from the populace. The Anglicans, seeing they had no place in Robberttown, moved east and built their own settlement on the coast of where the Leary River and the Atlantic Sea meet (on the north side). They provocatively called their new town Longshank (after King Edward Longshank, who invaded Scotland).
 * MacEalar, who hoped that those Anglicans would be the last bad surprise from Charles, was dismayed when he received the Book on Common Prayer. The King hoped that imposing it in the colonies would put pressure on the Covenanters in Scotland. But MacEalar, himself a Scot and a Presbyterian (although not a Covenanter) refused to do it, instead sending a letter of resignation. Ironically, the governor who was hated for most of his time in Flaadland was now celebrated as a hero by Woodwick in Roberttown and Leary in Craigmouth for his refusal. The small road between Craigmouth and Roberttown was even renamed the MacEalar Road. MacEalar stayed in office until the arrival of his replacement in February 1838. Thomas MacEalar would then go back to England and never return to the new world. Although he would support the crown during the ensuing Bishop’s Wars, his personal hatred for Charles pushed him to side with the parliamentarians during the English Civil War, and he would even serve in the New Model Army. He would die in 1856, at the age of 67, as a fervent follower of Cromwell.
 * MacEalar replacement was William Barton, 3rd Baron of Endon. Endon was and Englishman and an Anglican, sent by Charles especially to apply the book of prayers. With him came new settlers, mostly Covenanters refusing the Book of Common Prayer (which is ironic, considering what that they travelled with the man supposed to impose it in Flaadland). Along with them was soldiers, sent by Charles I to help Endon push the book on the populace. Endon’s first mistake was to land in Longshank instead of Roberttown. From there, he moved to Roberttown, where he was met with a cold welcome, although Woodwick did come greet him in the name of the community. Even with his troops, Endon realized that it would be difficult to force the book on Roberttown, and so instead chose to start with the far smaller village of New Falkirk. Troops were sent to force the Covenanters under MacValen to accept the Book of Common Prayer. The elder initialy refused, but finally relented when Endon threatened to have him deported and his church burned, “to equal what happened in Roberttown”. However, MacValen still criticized both the book and Endon during secret covenants with his communities. In Roberttown, Endon began imposing a massive tax on the religious landowners who controlled the farms (like Woodwick and MacValen), which would be removed if they accepted the Book of Common Prayers. Endon also put financial pressure on the people living on those lands, so that they would themselves push their Elders to accept it. Because of this, some of the poorest people lost their homes, which were then either seized by the religious landowners or by the colonial government of Endon, whoever could get them first.
 * Then, the Bishops’s Wars happened. As soon as he heard about what was happening in England, Endon impose massive censorship all over Flaadland. But like usual, the information eventually slipped through, and the Covenanters in the colonies quickly learned what their European brothers were doing. As soon as they learned of this, many habitants of Flaadland packed their bags and went to Europe to fight, including some who had just arrived. The Flaadland volunteers ranged from a few dozens to a hundred, depending on the sources. They would remain in England from 1639 to 1846, the end of the First English Civil War. At home, Woodwick began organising marches in Roberttown in support of the Scottish Covenanters. During a march in July 1639, Woodwick publicly burned a copy of the Book of Common Prayers on the central place right in front of the governor’s mansion. The following day, Endon sent troops to arrest many Covenanter agitators, arresting almost 30 peoples in two weeks. An attempt was made to imprison Woodwick, but it failed due to the people who blocked the soldiers. In October 1639, Endon was beginning to seriously fear for his life, and so moved with half of his garrison to Longshank. The soldiers left in town were under the command of Captain Oliver Resley, who had orders to keep the population under control, but to not provoke them. Endon then called for David Leary to send his militia as reinforcement for Captain Resley, but the letter he received back made it blatantly clear that Leary would only receive orders from “the people, fellow believer Donald Woodwick or the King of Scotland and his parliament”, a list that did not include Endon. So things were heating up in Flaadland as battles were fought in the British Isles. And things would only get worst with 1640.
 * South Nauset/Unamia Colony: A Puritan minister and theologian living in Cambridge, Nauset Bay named John Winthrop causes controversy within the colony after preaching religious tolerance and freedom, separation of church and state, and other practices which inadvertently criticized the strict Puritan regime in Nauset Bay. He is formally banished in 1635, but by then had already been planning on an exodus south of the colony's borders, to create his own colony for his small band of followers and religious dissenters. He travels south of Concord until he arrives at a small inlet, where he begins building a settlement. Meanwhile, Winthrop's son, John Winthrop the Younger, and a few of Winthrop's wealthiest supporters, travel to England, where they manage to do some recruiting. They manage to get the attention of the Earl of Warwick, who agrees to issue an official order of protection for the colony and a great deal of financial support. As a result Winthrop the Younger arrives back in the settlement in late 1636 with a few hundred settlers, mostly fellow religious dissenters. The settlement is named Warwick after the group's English patron. The group works extensively with the local native population, focusing on trade and peaceful relations, and even going as far as to legally purchase all of their land from the local sachem, named Canonicus by the English. They also name their colony/region after the local natives, calling the land "Unamia". Within a few years the success of the new settlement draws the attention of fellow Puritans in Nauset Bay. Thomas Davenport leads a few hundred men south into Unamian territory, settling "Davenport" to the northeast. Many others follow making smaller plantations. Rather than fight the new settlers, Winthrop welcomes them, but persuades them into signing allegiance to him, on account of their colonies technically being unsanctioned by the crown. They agree, and in 1639 the Unamia Constitution is signed, loosely uniting the region under Winthrop's authority, and forcing all to recognize religious freedom, and other rights. Also in 1639, an independent expedition of 200 people sets sail from England after being persuaded to join the Unamia colony, but mistakenly sails much further south, landing well north of Nauset Bay. Nonetheless the group decides to settle there anyway, despite having no claim to that territory, and the town of Portland is born, also loosely affiliated with Winthrop's government.
 * Zamarak (OOC): Since when is the Nauset Bay Colony a Puritan regime? I though they were religious tolerant and pro-freedom.
 * The Nauset Bay turns say they are Puritans, and it says they're separatists in the sign-up section. - Thecoldmalsyw
 * Zamarak (OOC): Ok, thanks for the clarification.
 * London Company: The new colonies in the far south prove to be profitable and successful once tobacco plantations are established. As such the company focuses almost all efforts in the south, leaving Blackwall mostly to its own devices. A few shipments of slaves also arrive, although in small numbers, to work the plantations. Many however continue to be worked by indentured servants or hired work. More settlers arrive in Norfolk and the town grows all along the coast. As much of the inland territory is already divided among the plantation owners, some of the townspeople elect to cross the small inlet west of the city and settle on the opposite shore, and the town of Avalon is born. Others settle the small stretch of unclaimed land north of the town, known as Cape Henry, although in much smaller numbers. The first officially sanctioned settlement by the company, however, doesn’t come until 1636, when a new expedition of settlers is sent up the Burke River to flat, hospitable section along a new river. The settlement is called Lincoln, and quickly grows in size, as it has the company’s full backing and support, and by now the allure of making a “quick fortune” in the southern colonies attracts (and/or tricks) a large pool of eager settlers. An assembly is called in Norfolk to formalize the loose grouping of settlements in the area, and the representatives select the name New Britain, the name that had initially been used by early explorers in the late sixteenth century for the entire length of the east coast. Company veteran Matthew White is selected as the overall governor of New Britain, a decision approved by Thomas Gates in England, The new governor and the representatives agree to a system where each town over a certain population may create an official town council, which will be led by a president/judge. William Burke, at the end of his term as governor of Norfolk under the old system, resigns to focus on a new project and is instead appointed to a largely honorary deputy position in the government. In the meantime his former captain John Dale is appointed judge of Norfolk, while Francis Harvey is appointed judge of Lincoln. Burke goes on to secure funding for another voyage of exploration, and this time receives a large backing from the London Company and other investors. He sets sail in search of the southern edge of North America. Meanwhile in Blackwall governor John West’s autonomy only increases, and he begins work on attracting his own wealthy plantation owners to the northern settlement. The deported men from Flaadland arrive and are allowed to stay and work in the settlement. Although West doesn’t appreciate being used as a penal colony by the more rowdy colonies, he can’t refuse a chance to recruit a few more veteran militiamen, bolstering the town’s defense in the war with the local natives.
 * Strafford Bay Colony: Thomas Wentworth immediately travels from Ireland to the king's side in London upon hearing news of the unrest in northern England, becoming one of the king's trusted advisors. The Earl of Strafford and the king hastily attempt to raise funds for an army throughout 1639, but eventually are forced to call on parliament the following year. In the meantime Wentworth also makes preparations to flee to the colonies should the situation turn dire, and seems to be in a position to negotiate as much with parliament. In the Strafford Bay Thomas' brother continues to be quite popular and competent at governing, and the town of Trenton continues to grow. After surveying the southern portion of the colony, some settlers are sent from Trenton to settle "Radcliffe" in order to further solidify our claim. Meanwhile some scout out Providence Island and discover a nearby island as well further south.
 * Nauset Bay Colony: Renovations take place all across Cambridge to transform the northend into a more urban environment, including the areas around the Cambridge Common, Locke University, and other landmarks. As the town itself becomes more densely populated, more settlers migrate south and west to more rural areas. The area directly south of Cambridge is converted into a series of plantations centered around a small town, which is incorporated as "Salem". The town connects Cambridge to Portsmouth, and a road is built between the three. Similar developments occur south of Concord, where the area just south of the swampy fens area is settled as "Leominster Heights". In addition to the minor towns/rural areas sprouting up, a settlement is founded to the northeast of Cambridge, called Rockport. In 1640 the Puritan authority in Cambridge issues orders to the other settlements establishing a governmental hierarchy, with John Bradford being selected as the governor of the entire colony.

1640-1645
Map: https://imgur.com/a/XMQRU

'After negotiations break down in the beginning of the year, another battle breaks out between the Scots and English in the north of England, resulting in a Scottish victory. Charles I is forces to recall Parliament, which passes the Triennial Act, forbidding the king from dissolving Parliament without their consent. '

An Irish rebellion breaks out in 1641 when the Irish Catholic gentry attempts to seize control of the administration in Ireland.

'In 1642 Charles I attempts to arrest certain members of the House of Commons. When this fails the king flees London, and the country falls into civil war.'

''' William Burke's expedition maps out the south, and makes contact with the Spanish possession of Florida, thus finding the end of the east coast. '''


 * Flaadland Royal Colony: OOC: Well, it seems I made a mistake when I said my next post would be shorter...
 * In the early weeks of 1640, things continued to grow worst in Roberttown. Woodwick was organizing more and more marches through the town, and soon Covenanters were openly disobeying orders from Captain Resley and his troops. The news of the restart of the war in England only aggravated the tensions. A protest soon turned into a riot as some protesters threw rocks at the soldiers. Sick of this, Resley ordered to soldiers to fire one salvo on the crowd. The casualties were 5 deaths and 13 wounded.  Although the protesters retreated, this was the last straw. The following night, Woodwick organized a secret covenant within his church. During that meeting he praised the courage of his Scottish brethren in Europe, and claimed that they themselves had to fight the tyranny of King Charles for the good of Scotland, England and the colonies. Then, things turned to chaos. When Endon received news from Roberttown two weeks later, he learned to his horror that the Covenanter stormed the armory and then fought their way to the garrison’s barrack. This resulted into intense fighting that lasted four days. Although the English troops were far more trained, they were outnumbered by the Covenanters. After Resley was wounded by a bullet, they surrendered. The losses of the Battle of Roberttown were 11 deaths and 34 wounded for the Covenanters, while the soldiers only had 5 deaths and 9 wounded. By the time Endon learned of all this, Resley had died of his wound and Woodwick, who had led the whole thing, had took total control over Roberttown, declaring his loyalty to the Scottish Parliament and the National Covenant.
 * Endon, seeing that he was outnumbered, wrote a letter to the King, asking for more troops. However, he suspected (rightfully) that Charles already had his hands full and could not spare a man for the colony. So Endon went for Plan B. He sent envoys to the Sakawe tribes living on the southern shore of the Leary River. He offered them goods in exchange that they harass the Covenanters. The Sakawe people accepted, and soon a Sakawe leader named Kezhekaw began launching raids on Craigmouth. The choice of Craigmouth was less strategic than personal, as it was the former home of Kezhekaw before he was forced out by Leary in 1632. Leary, who was preparing to go link his militia with Woodwick in Roberttown, was took by surprise by those attacks. The first attack of Kezhekaw made a few deaths among the settlers of Craigmouth and greatly damage one of the farms. Bugged down, Leary would be forced to remain there for the time being, pushing back raids from the natives. In Roberttown, Woodwick feared that if he left the town to go help Leary, Endon would take back Roberttown, and that if he attacked Longshank without the militia, he would be crushed. Endon, for his part, used this time to begin the construction of a wall around Longshank.
 * This impasse lasted for the next four years. The English Civil War in England only made things worse, as Endon now knew he was alone in this (He had no thrust in the other colonies, which he believed were on the side of the Parliamentarians). In 1642, Woodwick met with an envoy of Endon, and both negotiated the release of the captured soldiers. Endon payed graciously for the release of his men, and even agreed that Woodwick kept the weapons and equipment, as his priority was getting his men out of Roberttown (fearing they would be executed). With his wall built, Endon allowed the request of a few patriotic Englishmen who wanted to launch an attack on New Falkirk. MacValen surrendered the town without a fight, but sent a secret letter to Woodwick detailing the number of men presents, and that all of them were volunteers. This lead Woodwick to send his own group of zealous Covenanters, who captured back the town in a battle in which they suffered no losses, while the Englishmen lost 3 men and had 9 wounded. When they fled, the Englishmen left behind most of their guns, which were taken by the Covenanters.
 * In late 1644, the raids of the Sakawes finally diminished. This came to a stop when in October 1644 Kezhekaw was captured and executed shortly after on orders of Leary. This meant that the militia of Leary could finally link with Woodwick. In January 1645, Woodwick and Leary marched on Longshank. The ensuing siege, which lasted 9 days, saw the death of 42 Covenanters, with as much wounded. The English troops loss 12 men and had 4 wounded, while the inhabitants of Longshank loss 23 people and had 38 wounded. The town was taken, but at the loss of their leader. Donald Woodwick was hit by a bullet to the chest and died of his wound an hour later at the age of 66. The man who chose the spot for Roberttown and the most influential leader of Flaadland for the last 17 years, his beloved followers would now have to continue without him. Endon, who had retreated to his mansion, quickly raised the white flag of surrender. A good part of Longshank had been burned by the besiegers, and Endon had no intention to stay and die just to impose a book to those stupid Covenanters. He negotiated the sae escape of him and his men back to England. Leary accepted, but he also decided to quick out the inhabitants of Longshank. They either had the choice of converting to Presbyterianism (the Covenanter version of it) or they would be forced out of their homes. Although some accepted the offer (about 40 of them), more than a 100 left. Not willing to return to England, those would migrate to the Colony of New Britain, where they would arrive in mid-1645. With this, Leary found himself in control of Flaadland.
 * Strafford Bay Colony: In 1640 Wentworth and the King attempt to make their deal with Parliament, but the negotiations fall through. Parliament even attempts to have Wentworth personally tried and executed, and rather than take his chances, Wentworth accepts a deal granting him exile in Strafford Bay. He departs with a large entourage of supporters, retainers, and other political enemies. Strafford Bay formally declares itself in support of the crown in the coming conflict, and becomes a haven for any fleeing the chaos. Over the next few years Wentworth watches the news from England attentively and with horror, as the Parliamentary forces manage to slowly gain the upper hand. Although some choose to travel back to England from the colony and volunteer to fight (on both sides), Wentworth attempts to prevent this by creating a militia in the colony for men to serve in, and also puts people to work building defenses in Weymouth and Trenton. An outpost is also built on Providence Island, consisting of a series of earthworks and barricades, to monitor the southern most point of the colony and watch all traffic coming toward the settlements. When Wentworth learns of the turmoil in Flaadland, he offers Endon military aid. Refugees are also accepted into the community at Radcliffe, although some choose to settle further north and closer to the main settlements, in what becomes known as Newark.
 * Letter from Endon (Zamarak): To the Right Honorable Earl Thomas Wentworth of Strafford. As I heard of your arrival and of what His Majesty is facing in England, I shall make haste to your new home in Strafford Bay. Your support is welcomed, although I am affraid that helping me retaking the Royal Colony from the rebels and traitors will not be an easy task. And is it wise to abandon your domain, full of followers of the Pope, just like those in Ireland? I suggest that you keep your troops with you. However, I suggest blockading any supply coming from England to Flaadland. This way, when His Majesty is victory, he shall find the rebels weakened, especially if we let them received new "exiles", which will only drain their ressources. I implore you to follow my suggestions and to stay wary of your own peasants. - signed William Barton, 3rd Baron of Endon
 * OOC: Basically Endon and his troops go to Radcliffe instead of London, and he suggest blockading supply that come to Flaadlan, as he believe the King will be victorious and will then crush Flaadland. And now he's your character. Just remember that he has lands in England, so he isn't going to settle in the New World.
 * London Company: William Burke's expedition to as far as Florida sparks more interest in the southern east coast and New Britain. For now Burke returns to the colony and temporarily resides in Lincoln, helping the settlement get off the ground. The peninsulas jutting out into the Burke River from the west are explored and settled with new towns and plantations. In particular Lincoln grows into a major settlement, while just south a town called Alexandria is incorporated, as a town center surrounding a series of plantations. The colony sees an influx of settlers in the wake of the English Civil War. The government as a whole tries to remain neutral, although many of the colony's most affluent landowners are royalist supporters, and their numbers only continue to grow. After being pushed out of Lincoln, a group of settlers who are Parliamentarians settle the town of Fairfax just up river, named for the Parliamentary commander-in-chief Thomas Fairfax. The legislative assembly in Norfolk, now known as the House of Burgesses, decides to formally divide the colony into a series of counties. The four counties of Norfolk, Henry, Lincoln, and Burke are born. Their governance does not change, rather the "governors" previously appointed become the heads of the counties.
 * Colony of Unamia: The colony continues to grow as more people migrate into the colony from Nauset Bay, or arrive from England and the rest of Europe. Both Warwick and Davenport grow significantly, and the two towns are joined by a dirt road to help connect them. A third town, Newport is settled further south and connected to Warwick. The surrounding area is further explored, and traders continue to peacefully contact the nearby native tribes, with some attempting to record their languages and customs.
 * Nauset Bay Colony: Renovations take place all across Cambridge to transform the northend into a more urban environment, including the areas around the Cambridge Common, Locke University, and other landmarks. As the town itself becomes more densely populated, more settlers migrate south and west to more rural areas. We ask to formalize a border with the southern colony of Unamia, and to strengthen our position in the south some settlers are tasked with creating a town on the southern part of the peninsula, east of Davenport. The colonists pick the name "New Bedford" for the area. When news reaches the colony of the English Civil War, the colony announces its support for the Parliamentarians, as the colony's government is ran completely by Puritans and other groups opposed to Charles I. A large portion of the population travels back to England to join the New Model Army, but this population shift is counteracted by a large number of people fleeing the war and emigrating to the colony.

1645-1650
'The House of Parliament approves a colonial charter for a proprietor named John Mason, who settles the town of Dover north of Rockport. '

'The members of the House of Parliament agree to lay down their commands and consolidate their forces into the New Model Army, under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell, unifying the Parliamentarian forces. The new army is highly successful, and in 1646 Charles is captured by a Scottish army and handed over to the Parliamentarians, having already lost most of his forces. '

'While Parliament is distracted with revolts across Britain, Charles I negotiates a secret treaty with the Scots, promising church reform in exchange for restoring him to the throne. His plan backfires, however, with the New Model Army defeating the Scots within the year.'

'In December 1648 the army purges Parliament of any members sympathetic to the king. The remaining few members are ordered to put Charles I on trial for treason. Fairfax, a moderate, resigns, leaving Cromwell in command of the army. Charles I is ultimately found guilt and beheaded. '


 * Nauset Bay Colony: With a temporarily lull in the English Civil War taking place in 1646, a large number of new settlers arrive en masse. We continue to support the Parliamentarian cause, and do so more openly now. The colony attempts to diversify its economy, as not to rely too heavily on England proper. In particular the fur trading industry takes off in the interior, while the lumber and fishing industries become important in the east. Again the Cambridge authorities are forced to expand the city's docks to accommodate large trade ships and new industries. Additionally the first shipbuilding dock is constructed in the north, to take advantage of the massive amounts of timber being harvested, and a lumber mill is constructed near the site.
 * Flaadland Royal Colony: 
 * After the victory at Longshank, Leary began acting as de facto governor of Flaadland. Fearing reprisal, he send a letter to the Parliament of Scotland asking for confirmation. The Scots would of course recognized to the demand, happy that their authority was recognized over the one of London. Although the Parliament of Scotland would make him Royal Governor of Flaadland, the decision would only be ratified in 1648 by Charles I, while he was fighting alongside the Covenanters. That switch from the Scottish Covenanters from Charles’s enemies to his supporters would not be followed by Flaadland, however. Although Leary continued to proclaim himself loyal to the Parliament of Scotland, and would continue to do so for the rest of his life, Leary and the veterans of the Woodwick Rebellion had too much bad blood toward Charles to declare themselves royalists, and his death in 1649 would actually be celebrated as “the rightful punishment of Macbeth”. This was the first time Flaadland’s Covenanters broke from their Scottish counterpart.
 * In 1646, the volunteers who went to fight the war in Scotland returned, bringing along wives and children they got in Scotland. They settle in a town named Woodwick, which is situated on the coast of Lake Bruce, the church being built on the small piece of land coming out of the otherwise round lake. During the following years, Leary see his militia diminish, as people preferred to go attend the field instead of staying around obeying Leary’s orders. The religious leader, who acted as the biggest landowners, were happy to see this, and with the arrival of Covenanters in 1648 fleeing what seemed to be a lost cause, plantations worked by free peasants who owned (and often built) their own houses became the standard system of the colony. It was quickly called the Woodwick System, as Donald Woodwick was the first to start building farmlands around his church and have his congregation work it.
 * London Company: Expansion of the colony continues, and as people flee the civil unrest in England, they are welcomed to our colonies. In New Britain William Burke becomes governor for the first time after being a prominent figure in the colonies, town leader, and explorer since the colony's founding. Many new settlers move out of the established counties in search of unclaimed land for plantations, and as such several new areas are claimed and chartered, although remaining very sparsely populated compared to the more established settlements. Settlers from Norfolk found Wessex up the James River to the west, along the northern shore, while Williamsport is founded to the north east of Henry County, on a small inlet on the eastern peninsula. The first major settlement, however, is placed on the eastern side of the peninsula, at the mouth of the eastern river. In this way the entire peninsula is claimed by the colony, although much of it is still empty or populated only by sparse traders and natives.
 * Strafford Bay Colony: The colony's government continues to oppose the Parliamentarian cause, and support Charles I and the Cavaliers. Public opinion shifts, however, as a large portion of the population is sympathetic to the Parliamentarians. For now the population is kept in line by the colony's loyal but small militia, and wealthy landowners and influential leaders. Nonetheless people continue to travel back to England to join the war, particularly Parliamentarians, although both sides see Strafford Bay volunteers. The colony also sees an increase in arrivals from England, particular royalists, as Strafford Bay appears to be the only place where the royalists are accepted. Many wealthy royalists arrive and set up plantations in the south. Providence Island, now the home to an extensive fort system overlooking the bay, also sees settlement from these migrating groups. Another settlement named Gloucester springs up outside the bay to the southeast of Trenton, mostly settled by Parliamentarian sympathizers looking to create some distance between themselves and the Trenton government.

1650-1655
' With Charles I dead and the Royalists forces seemingly defeated, Cromwell and the New Model Army turn their attention to Ireland, and by 1653 the Irish forces are crushed. Cromwell also enacts brutal reprisal against the Irish population, resulting in high civilian casaulties.  '

' Parliament passes an Act of law known as "An Act for prohibiting Trade with the Barbadoes, Strafford Bay, Bermuda and Antego". The law forbids English trade with the disloyal colonies in the New World. Likewise in 1651 the "Navigation Acts" are passed, prohibiting all trade between the English colonies and the Netherlands, Spain, and France, and their respective colonies.  '

' Charles II lands in Scotland in 1650, but the Royalists and Scottish are defeated. Charles II escapes again into exile in France. In 1653 "The Protectorate" is created, with Cromwell as Lord Protector.  '

' Disputes over trade result in war being declared in 1652 between the Dutch Republic and the Commonwealth of England. ''The Colony of New Haven is founded north of New Berkshire (the colony centered around the town of Dover). '''
 * London Company: The colony of New Britain continues to quickly grow due to an influx of settlers. As more people move inland however hostilities begin to break out with the native population. A native chief manages to launch a series of raids against some of the smaller settlements in the west, killing a large number of settlers, and as a result the colony prepares for all out war. Over the course of the next few years the colonists launch several violent reprisals. Palisades and forts are constructed at the edge of the Henry Peninsula and all along the interior. Nonetheless the conflict only temporarily halts the spread of colonists into the region, in search of new land. The war does however spark more interest in settling on the eastern peninsula, which is almost devoid of natives. The earlier settlement in the area, now known as Camden, grows significantly. A town known as Easton is also founded north of Williamsport.
 * Nauset Bay Colony: The colony continues to see the migration into the colony, as people flee the English Civil War, and back to England, as volunteers join the fight, primarily on the Parliamentarian side. The government becomes particularly interested in Cromwell and the New Model Army, and manages to attract a few former officers of the army to create local divisions in Nauset Bay. A few hundred men, mostly staunch Puritans, volunteer and begin vigorous training outside Cambridge, as a militia force. The government in Cambridge decides to copy the New Britain model and creates five counties; Essex (eastern part of peninsula near Portsmouth), Nauset (Cambridge peninsula and areas just south of city proper), Suffolk (Salem and New Bedford), Middlesex (Charlestown area), and Concord. Two small towns form in the northwest part of the nation, along the Charles River; Naugus, north of Concord, and Dedham, formed the following year further up river, on the southern shore. Over the course of the next three years three new counties are made; Norfolk (Rockport area), Charles (Naugus and eastern bank of Charles River), and Bradford (western bank of Charles River), in 1651, 1652, and 1653, respectively. In 1651 we send delegates to meet with Unamia and create a formal border. In the south we ask that a border be created around Davenport, and then diagonally to the northwest. In the north we propose the border follow the small creek, nicknamed the Mystic River, and then from its source, due north.
 * Unamia: The colony continues to grow as people from Nauset Bay and other colonies migrate into Unamia, or travel from Europe to settle in the colony. Although the colony's strict policy of religious freedom/toleration helps quell conflict between the settlers, the colony's large Puritan population mostly supports the Parliamentarians in the civil war. Some of the settlers, fed up with the Puritan section of the population, move inland and settle "Kingstown" northwest of Warwick, to show their support for the monarch. In 1651 we meet with the Nauset Bay delegation and agree to their proposal for the new border. We are pleased that we were able to come to an agreement, and also propose that a military alliance be formed between the northern colonies. We propose the name, the Borealian Confederation. We also propose that the colonies work together against the nearby hostile colony of New Netherlands. Meanwhile in the far north the city of Portland expands, and settlers move inland toward the Mystic River. A town named Exeter is founded on the eastern peninsula north of Portland.
 * Nauset Bay Diplomacy: We are glad that the border is accepted, and we accept the offer to join the Borealian Confederation.
 * Flaadland Diplomacy: The Flaadland Governor write an angry letter to London when he heard of this, calling this Borealian Confederation "an act of rebellion and upmost trahison toward the mainland" and saying that this is "stepping over the rights of Parliament to write treaties for its colonies".
 * Flaadland Royal Colony: 
 * Many Scottish Presbyterians arrive each years in mass, at first fleeing the end of the Third Civil War and then fleeing the Commonwealth, as many Covenanters are seen as enemies of the Commonwealth for their role in the Civil Wars. Many of them found the towns of Argyll in 1651 and Leven in 1652, both named after Covenanter leaders and both built on the coast (Argyll is east of New Falkirk, while Leven is further north than any other settlement of Flaadland so far). However, a good number of them simply settled in the already existing settlements, most notably Roberttown. With the gain of population from the baby boom that followed the Woodwick Rebellion, Flaadland is currently growing far faster than ever before. The newcomers organized themselves following the Woodwick System, with the religion ministers building small plantations for the workers. In Roberttown, some true urban communities begin to appear. This vague of new Covenanters differ from the first generation of settlers. Most of them had just risked their life for Charles I and Charles II, and so were far more supportive of the Monarchy then Leary and his group. Although no tensions would ever erupt between the two groups, this would create a shift in the colony’s ideas, especially with what happened in 1653.
 * But Flaadland was a Royal Colony, and with the King dead parliament now wanted to take charge of it. In 1653, a small fleet of parliamentary ships arrive in the harbours of Roberttown. Leary, recognizing the English banner, come to meet them with some of his militiamen. The ship disembark a man named George Sarton, an old puritan (he somehow still stand on his two feet while being 68) who had orders to take his post as Governor of Flaadland. Recognizing that he has no way to refuse the offer, as Sarton brought troops and armed boats just in case, Leary grudgingly give control of the colony to the puritan. Sarton bring with him troops, yes, but also settlers, which he claim are English Presbyterians (which they are this time). The new Presbyterians were surprisingly welcomed by the locals, and with time would marry and intermingle with the local Flaadlanders. With the exception of Leary, a couple of his hard core allies and a couple of radical royalists in Argyll and Leven, the arrival of Sarton was welcomed by everyone. Although they had developed autonomously for the last 10 years or so (ever since the Woodwick Rebellion), they had been isolated from England and the other colonies. With Flaadland now officially opened for business. Sarton, for the time being, proved to value the Woodwick System and even encouraged it. He also began to entertain the idea of bringing slaves to the colony, although he didn’t know how much it will be possible to bring (The Triangular Trade, which brought at most of the slaves to America, didn’t start until the 18th Century). Sarton was smart enough to ally himself with the Nomist Covenanters (a name given to the Covenanters that did the Woodwick Rebellion to distinguish them from the new Royalist Covenanters). Most Nomists had enough fighting for a lifetime after the Woodwick Rebellion and believe no governor would try to challenge them again. With the support of the religious leaders, Sarton was able to take efficient control of the colony. The militia of Leary found their jobs taken by English soldiers, which doesn’t please them one bit. So Sarton, in an attempt to distract them, organize an expedition for them to attack the ships of the Strafford Bay Colony. Neill Turey, a militiaman who fought the Woodwick Rebellion from his home in New Falkirk, led 80 militiamen on an armed ship in 1654, raiding ships. In late 1854, Henry MacValen died at the age of 52, and is buried with honors by the community.