Anthems of Castadilla

According to the Constitution of Castadilla, there are three songs which are recognised as the anthems of Castadilla with each given anthem serving a different purpose. Since the formation of the Delepasian Confederation in 1852, Delepasia and its subsequent successor governments have had an imperial anthem, representing the Emperor, a commanderial anthem, representing the Commander-in-Chief (a position currently held by the Emperor since 1994), and a national anthem, representing the nation. As of 2038, the three anthems of Castadilla are currently "Mine Shield for Thee" as the imperial anthem, the "Castadillaan March" as the commanderial anthem, and "O Beloved Motherland" as the national anthem.

Of the three, the "Castadillaan March" is the longest-used anthem in Castadilla, having been composed in the 17th Century and officially adopted as the viceregal anthem in 1707 under the name "Rumian March". Because of its longevity, the "Castadillaan March" has often been confused for the national anthem. The imperial anthem has experienced the most changes as each Emperor used their dynasty's honours music as the imperial anthem, and it was not until the promulgation of the current constitution that the imperial anthem has remained as "Mine Shield for Thee". "O Beloved Motherland" was the national anthem of the Delepasian Confederation and the Delepasion Commonwealth from 1852 until 1934 and as the national anthem of Castadilla from 1991 onward. From 1934 until 1991, the national anthem was "Delepasia Now, Delepasia Tomorrow, and Delepasia Forever!" which had previously been used as a patriotic anthem of the Delepasians.

Imperial anthem

Ever since the ascension of Maximilian I as Delepasian Emperor, the imperial anthem has always referred to the honours music of the Emperor's dynasty. However, until the entrenchment of the House de Bruce as the Imperial Family in the nation's current constitution, all Emperors elected were of a different dynasty, and thus the imperial anthem would have to be changed to reflect the new imperial dynasty. There have been six imperial anthems throughout the history of Castadilla since independence in 1852.

Hymn of the Kindreds Dynasty

The "Hymn of the Kindreds Dynasty" (Emeritan Pelaxian: Hinu d'a Dinastia d'os Afinus) was the first imperial anthem adopted by the Delepasian Confederation. The "Kindreds Dynasty" is a term that was used to refer to the House of Melachrino, the dynasty that Emperor Maximilian I was a member of as head of the family; the Melachrinos were the imperial house of Argyrea, which they would remain as such until their deposition in 1921, and were patrilineally of Pelaxian ancestry. Of the six imperial anthems, this one is the shortest-used, lasting from 1852 until the deposition of Maximilian I in 1859.

Hymn of the Emperor

The "Hymn of the Emperor" (Emeritan Pelaxian: Hinu d'u Imperador) was the second imperial anthem adopted by the Delepasian Confederation. The "Emperor" that this anthem was dedicated to was Augustine I, and the melody used was the honours music to the House of Alma of which Augustine I was the head of; the Almas were another noble house from Lucrecia, albeit not as major as the Carvajals, and the election of Augustine I was done at the recommendation of his aunt, the Empress Dowager Eleanor. This imperial anthem is the second-longest-used, being used from 1859 until the death of Augustine I in 1900.

Song of the Orndorffs

The "Song of the Orndorffs" (Gothic: Orndorffslied) was the third imperial anthem adopted by the Delepasian Confederation, and was the first used during the Estado Social. This anthem was dedicated to the House of Orndorff, which is a noble family of Gothic ancestry found in northern Levantia. It was in use as the imperial anthem of Delepasia from the election of Augustine II in 1900 until his death in 1930. It consisted of two parts, those respectively being of their senior-most title and of the Orndorffs themselves.

March of Falcsbourg

The "March of Falcsbourg" (Burgoignesc: Marcha de Falcsborg; Gothic: Falksburgsmarsch) was the fourth imperial anthem adopted by Delepasia since independence in 1852. It was used throughout the reign of Augustine III from his election in 1930 until his death in 1951. "Falcsbourg" refers to the capital city of the Grand Barony of the Kestrel Isles, which is the smallest first-level administrative division of Yonderre of which a cadet branch of the Burgoignac House of Marius, the dynasty which ruled Burgundie from 1795 until its extinction in 1989, resided in.

Crown of Rosmore

The "Crown of Rosmore" (Garán Gaelic: Crùn Rósmór) was the fifth imperial anthem adopted by Delepasia since independence in 1852. The song was originally the national anthem of the Kingdom of Ardmore until its fall to syndicalists in the Ardmore Civil War and is still widely associated with the exiled House of Rosmore. From 1951 until 1976, the anthem represented Philip I. It was noticeable for being a stark departure from the previous imperial anthems, being a more peaceful and serene anthem compared to the more militaristic and triumphalist anthems used in previous decades. In modern times, it is used as the anthem of the Ardmore Homeland Association, a non-profit organisation that calls for the dissolution of Ardmore's cooperative republic in favour of a democratic monarchy.

Mine Shield for Thee

"Mine Shield for Thee" (Hendalarskisch: Mäin Schëld fir Dir; Lebhan: Clypeus Meú pro Te; South Hendalaskish: Mijn Schild voor Dij) is the sixth imperial anthem adopted since independence in 1852. Of all the imperial anthems used in Delepasia and Castadilla, it is the oldest in use, having first been composed in the 16th Century during the Great Confessional War. Initially a folk song called Godwin's Folly, in reference to Avonian King Godwin II's conversion to Protestantism, the song's lyrics quickly became a poem praising Hendalarsker noble Jacob de Brus for his heroic actions during the Great Confessional War. As Mine Shield for Thee became more and more affiliated with the House de Bruce, the composition used was altered so that it could be performed in churches. It became the current imperial anthem after the election of Maximilian II as Emperor in 1976.

See also

• List of Castadillaan state anthems