Duchy of Martilles

The Duchy of Martilles, contemporarily often just called Martilles, was a powerful state in the Kingdom of Dericania from 1575-1869. It was formed in 1575 as a Catholic duchy formed from the remnants of displaced Protestants following the Great Confessional War and the Dragonnades. By the 1650s, the duchy established itself as a prominent economic powerhouse, fostering a flourishing trade network that spanned continents and contributed to its affluent status. The wealth generated from its colonial endeavors served as a catalyst for the cultivation of a vibrant artistic and cultural scene, attracting notable luminaries and intellectuals from across Levantia and beyond. From the flourishing of the arts and the patronage of renowned artists and intellectuals to the establishment of cutting-edge scientific institutions and the promotion of cultural exchange, the Duchy of Martilles played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of early modern thought and creativity.

However, the Duchy of Martilles' long-standing independence was ultimately brought to an end with the unification of Burgundie in 1869 during the First Fratricide. Despite its eventual incorporation into a larger political entity, the cultural and intellectual legacy of Martilles remains a strong part if its unique identity within the broader Culture in Burgundie.

Notable Towns

 * Saint-Etienne
 * Valois-sur-Mer
 * Fontenay-le-Bois
 * Rochelle-en-Montagne
 * Verdun-sur-Lac
 * Rosiere
 * Amboise-sur-Loire
 * Montmorency
 * Mirabel
 * Orvieto
 * Aix-en-Vallee
 * Saint-Aubin
 * Verrieres-sur-Mer
 * Saint-Germaine
 * Chateau-Gaillard
 * La Roche-sur-Mer
 * Bellacourt
 * Fontainebleau
 * Marigot
 * Beauvais-sur-Lac

Cultural life
Martilles was a devoutly Catholic duchy which influenced its cultural and political life. The dukes leaned heavily on newly established Bishoprics and Abbacies to maintain control of their newly given lands, especially because the first dukes did not come from ruling families and had no tradition of governance. Martilles was an opportunistic and to a point idealistic land because the Catholics who were given the lands after the Expulsion of the Protestants were grateful and excited to be given a chance to increase their station. Then, the extreme wealth generated by the colonies further excited the minds and the spirits of the Martilliens who spent lavishly their new-found wealth. Despite its lack of religious and cultural tolerance within its Levantine territories, the Dukes of Martilles adopted a pragmatic and laissez-faire approach to their colonial policies, prioritizing revenue generation and economic prosperity above strict adherence to religious or cultural conformity. This pragmatic stance led to the establishment of highly diverse colonies, where Protestants of various denominations worked alongside native populations, fostering a rich and dynamic cultural exchange that served as a catalyst for unprecedented advancements in the realms of science, art, and culture. The colonies of the Duchy of Martilles emerged as vibrant centers of cultural, scientific, and artistic innovation, characterized by a blending of diverse perspectives, ideas, and traditions. The collaborative efforts between Protestant settlers and native populations resulted in the emergence of a powerful engine for cultural exchange and intellectual exploration, fueling a spirit of creativity and innovation that transcended the boundaries of traditional religious and cultural norms within the duchy proper. The dukes did however promulgate the work of the colonists throughout the Holy Levantine Empire as a demonstration of wealth and prestige.

Government
Martilles was governed by an aristocracy, with the Duke serving as the hereditary head of the duchy, supported by a council of influential nobles and advisors. The political framework was marked by a hierarchical structure that emphasized the authority and influence of the ruling elite, contributing to a centralized system of governance that prioritized the preservation of aristocratic traditions and values. This was especially important in the early days of the duchy to establish and maintain the legitimacy of the House of d'Onquay.

Martilles' political traditions were strongly influenced by the who became the leading order in the duchy, and the  in the colonies. The duchy was therefore known for its consistent and proficient pursuit of economic prosperity, increasing legitimacy, and the expansion of its colonial enterprise. The duchy's political framework prioritized the cultivation of robust trade networks, the establishment of thriving colonies, and the promotion of economic growth and development within its Levantine territories. This emphasis on economic prosperity and colonial expansion fostered a culture of entrepreneurialism, innovation, and commercial enterprise building on the that propelled Martilles to the forefront of global trade and commerce during its heyday.

The Duke was supported in his administration of the duchy by the Retinue Quoitident, the advisors that helped the the daily matters of the duchy. They including trusted nobles, military commanders, financial experts, and diplomatic envoys from the Holy See the Imperial court and key allies and trading partners. They met daily and discussed the matters of state from 8:00 until lunch. Then the Duke would take lunch with the advisors he wanted to discuss matters of immediate importance with and then he would hold court with the public from 2:00 until dinner. Some of the most important roles in the duchy were the scribes, a bevy of monks who were always buzzing around transcribing the comings and goings, the tax collectors, and the clergy. The Duke of Martilles and the Archbishop of the archdiocese of Maloria were often working in concert but when they were at odds it was often the bishops and priests who were caught on the middle of their intrigue.

The duchy was divided into 12 counties and 2 bishoprics. These Counts and prince-bishops helped to enact the policies of the duke and to enforce the taxes as well as to raise the fee of their feif, at this point mostly rather then.

House of d'Onquay

 * Etienne-Remvie Roncompte d'Onquay (1575-1590)
 * Louis-Antoine d'Onquay (1590-1623)
 * Henri-Marie d'Onquay (1623-1645)
 * Philippe-Auguste d'Onquay (1645-1672)
 * Charles-Emmanuel d'Onquay (1672-1701)
 * Carl-Louise d'Onquay (1701-1736)

House of d'Iteaux

 * Louis II-Fransois I d'Iteaux (1736-1765)
 * Etienne II-Adelaide d'Iteaux (1765-1794)
 * Charles II-Emmanuel d'Iteaux (1794-1823)

House of d'Onquay reinvested

 * Henri II-Stephen d'Onquay (1823-1851)
 * Louis III-Fransois d'Onquay (1851-1869)

Economy
The economy of Martilles, was characterized by a robust and diversified commercial infrastructure that served as the cornerstone of its wealth and influence. Martilles capitalized on its coastal position and seafaring expertise to foster a bustling maritime economy. The duchy's active participation in global trade routes, namely the Silk Road, spice trade, and slave trade, coupled with its establishment of lucrative colonial enterprises, contributed to the expansion of its commercial reach and the cultivation of profitable trade alliances that bolstered its economic prosperity. Martilles put an emphasis on financial innovation and entrepreneurialism, fostering a culture of commerce and trade that encouraged the proliferation of banking institutions, colonial commercialized ventures, and entrepreneurial enterprises. The duchy also embraced financial innovations, especially usury, to propel itself into the global trade network.

It should be noted that much like modern Burgundie was not a net producer of goods but it's economic strength came from it's ability to facilitate trade from it's overseas holdings to all corners of the globe. Martilles greatest strength was it's vast network of merchant-ambassadors who were making deals on behalf of the duke and cutting his government in on the profits.


 * Silver, slaves, spices (via the Silk Road), silk (via the Silk Road), sugar (via the Silk Road), teak, cedar, and mahagony from Eloillette
 * Coffee, Coal, Rubber, teak, and spices, from Chaukhira colony
 * Ice, whales, and penquins from Argaea colony
 * Ice, whales, sturgeon, tuna, polar bear and seal fur from Nauta Normand colony
 * Apples, cider (hard and soft), brandy, salmon, sea bass, balsam fir, black spruce, and white birch from Wintergen colony

Military
The army of the Duchy of Martilles consisted of a small ducal guard and the strategic retainer of mercenary captains from Yonderre, who were expected to mobilized a regiment of Volonderres each if the need for warfare arose. The ducal guard's composition shifted throughout the life of the duchy but most commonly included a crop of professional artillerists, a horse-mounted Life Guard, and at least one regiment of foot. The Ducal Guard was led by a Sergent-Captain. They were well provisioned and typically had modern weapons, armor, and tactics for the time as the mercenary captains served the Sergent-Captain as his advisors in this regard.

Colonial army
The armies amassed by the Martillien North Levantine Trading Company (MNLC) in their colonies were never considered as first-rate as those of the Ducal Guard. In many cases they were ill-equipped and underpaid, but it was still a way for the settlers to make a living. While the Ducal Guard focused on the precepts of a strong hierarchical structure, rigid discipline, and best doctrine of Levantine strategists, the colonial armies were scrappy, resourceful, and even low level leaders were authorized to take a certain level of initiative. In the early days of the colonial ventures the settlers were often outnumbered and outgunned by the remnants of the Oduniyyad Caliphate. The strongmen and warlords who ruled over the grand fortresses that the Oduniyyad had built proved difficult for the Bergendii and their Occidental strategies to defeat. But having only recently survived the Great Confessional War and the Dragonnades the soldiers of the colonies were vicious, self-righteous and out for blood. Additionally, as a way to entice more people to join the colonial armies, the Duke offered a to soldiers who fought for a full year. In many cases this proved more of an incentive than pay, but it developed into a constant need for conquest to keep meeting the increasing number of recruits. The program was ceased as the MNLC's Eloillette colony was boxed in by other Bergendii colonies on the early 1700s.

The army there was approximately 36,000 native troops, 8,000 Bergendi and assorted Levantine Protestants, led by Bergendii officers.

Formation
The formation of the Duchy of Martilles under Etienne-Remvie Roncompte d'Onquay, a devout Catholic and cousin of the influential Bishop of the Bishopric of Bonavix, was marked by a confluence of strategic political considerations and familial ties that shaped the early foundations of the duchy. Etienne, a middling landowner with a devout commitment to his Catholic faith and a family of five children, including three sons and two daughters, was nominated for the position by the Holy See due to his potential for strategic marriages and the assurance of viable heirs, a critical consideration in the tumultuous aftermath of the Great Confessional War. Amidst the shifting political and religious landscape following the formal end of the war, Etienne's nomination as the head of the newly established Duchy of Martilles garnered the approval of the Emperor, solidifying his position as the appointed ruler in 1574.

As the founding Duke of Martilles, Etienne-Remvie Roncompte d'Onquay played a pivotal role in establishing the initial political and administrative framework of the duchy, leveraging his familial connections and political acumen to solidify its position within the broader political landscape of the Holy Levantine Empire. Etienne's devout Catholicism, coupled with his commitment to fostering strategic alliances through familial marriages and political affiliations, served as a guiding principle in shaping the early trajectory of the duchy, laying the groundwork for its subsequent growth and cultural influence in the centuries to come.

Truffle Races
The Duchy of Martilles once one of the Deric caught up in the Truffle Races that unfolded from 1578 to 1601, contributing to the broader geopolitical and commercial dynamics of the late Renaissance period. The Truffle Races, often viewed as more than a mere commercial conflict for a valuable resource, represented a confluence of competing interests in the context of the evolving Age of Sail and the Age of Discovery, amidst the transformative forces of the Occidental Renaissance. As the conflicts unfolded between Caphiria and the Duchies of Martilles, Marialianus, and Bourgondi, Martilles emerged as a significant player in the quest to locate, cultivate, and harvest rare truffles across the globe.

In the early stages of the Truffle Races, the conflict was largely confined to the Odoneru Ocean, Sea of Canete, and Sea of Istroya, characterized by intricate alliances and complex trade networks that dictated the ebb and flow of the struggle for truffle dominance. The Duchy of Martilles, leveraging the burgeoning Protestant refugee crisis and positioned itself as a formidable contender in the race for truffle resources, contributing to the intensifying competition and geopolitical maneuvering within the region by forcing the Protestants to sign indentures in exchange for paid passage to areas that truffles were found to establish a Martillien claim. The establishment of the Martilles colony in Chaukhira in 1584 further solidified the duchy's position as a key player in the truffle trade, facilitating the expansion of its commercial and colonial reach into new territories in Audonia and regions rich in truffle resources. The colony served as a vital strategic outpost for the Duchy of Martilles, enabling it to assert its dominance and influence in the lucrative truffle markets, while also fostering the cultivation of new trade routes and alliances that bolstered its economic and political standing on the global stage.

First Fratricide
In 1856, Martilles joined the First Fratricide on the side of Burgundie-Faramount Union during the Deric Civil War.

Dissolution of the Duchy
In 1869, Martilles joined the newly formed Burgundie with Faramount, Estia, and the Ile Burgundie.

Colonial ventures
Martillien North Levantine Trading Company (MNLC) established 6 major colonies on behalf of the Duchy of Martilles: