The Christian Republic of Holy Mountjoy (CRHM)

[RobertAgira]

Motto:- Defence of the faith and aid to the poor
National Anthem:- Jerusalem

BACKGROUND

During the 11th Century the territory that the nation now occupies became an assembly point for Christian Knights and peasants wanting an adventure together. They turned the land into a logistical centre for their attempts to ensure the safety of all Christians world wide. They counted amongst their number Knights from most nations in the world. Under the banner of the Mountjoy’s they brought many lands under their control. By the 15th Century however they had handed control of these lands over to various Christian Kings, the homeland however always remained under their control.

When in the 17th Century many Kings became concerned about the Orders growing militaristic stance they were purged and many of them imprisoned and murdered. Those of the order spread across Mundus were attacked and the survivors fled home.  As a result in 1667 the Order declared themselves a nation and established a government based on the "Principles of the Order" something that today is effectively the nations constitution.

Government Type:- Theocratic Democratic Republic
Population:-:- 48,500,000
Capital City:- Citadel of St.John (2million)
Demonym:- Mountjoyian / Mountjoys

ECONOMY

Currency:- Sovereigns
GDP per Capita:- $41,000
Unemployment Rate:- 1.8%
Main Industries:- Wine, Fisheries, IT Services, Medical Supplies, Military Surplus, small scale consumer electronics.

PEOPLE

Ethnicity:- 65% Caucasian, 25% Black, 10% Other
Languages:- Latin, however English, French, Italian and German also are spoken heavily.
Religions:- Almost exclusively Christian, other faiths tolerated.
Average Life Expectancy:- Male 81 years of age / Female 83 years of age

GOVERNMENT

Head of State:- Knight Commander Hugo Lascelles
Head of Government:-  Knight Master Vivian Lambert
Name of Legislative Body:-  The Round Table[

[RobertAgira]

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

The government is run as a Presidential Republic. Elections are held every five years for the President, which is given the title of Knight Commander. Every four years the nation has elections for a council known as the Round Table, this council then chooses a Prime Minister who is called the Knight Master.

CURRENT KNIGHT COMMANDER

Knight Commander Hugo Lascelles (elected 2017)

The Knight Commander is elected every five years. Anyone who is a a citizen or has served the Order for ten years is permitted to vote. Canididates must have reached the rank of Captain of the Order before announcing their candidacy.

The Knight Commander is the Commander in Chief of the Army as well as The Order. They sign all legislation into law and may veto a piece of legislation getting less than 65% approval of the Round Table. Furthermore they nominate the nations cabinet which must be approved by the Round Council.

CURRENT KNIGHT MASTER

Knight Master Vivian Lambert (appointed 2016)

The nation is split into fifteen regions known as Shires. Each shire elects on member of The Order to represent them on the Round Table. Anyone who has been a resident on the island for five years may vote but only those with the rank of Knight Lieutenant may stand for election.

The Round Table appoint from within their number one individual to be Knight Master. They are responsible for the day to day running of the Round Table and manage the nations legislative agenda.

THE ORDER

"The Order of Knights of Mountjoy" or simply called The Order is an organisation which is essentially responsible for everyday life on the island. Membership is not compulsory but it is difficult to reach any position of responsibility without becoming a member.

The Order is open to all Islanders, regardless of faith, aged 18 and over. To become a member one must volunteer for either military service or the Island Labour Force and serve 18 months as a minimum. Upon satisfactory completion of this time you are enrolled in The Order as a Squire, ranks are kept for life and even once out of service you may progress through them. 

The Order maintains four full time branches that employ a large number of people.

Military	Labour	Religion	Health
The armed forces are the largest part of the Order, they defend the island, aid in any foreign incidents and fill in for the Police, Fire and Ambulance Services when required.	A group that undertake projects for the good of the nation such as Forestry, Public Transport, Power Production and various other functions deemed "vital to national interests"	The Priestly aspect of the Order is responsible for education, worship, maintainence of religious property and conversions.	Responsible for running hospitals and clinics as well as responding to emergencies both at home and abroad.

Within each branch of service there are various ranks which are progressed through depending on both length and quality of service. These are formed into two sections, Common Ranks, which tend to be for those less well educated, and Knightly Ranks for those of noble birth and better educated. Even once out of the Order on a day to day basis ranks play an important part in Mountjoy society and people may still gain promotion for things such as volunteer work or excelling in there civilian career and being nominated to their branches leader.

Knightly Ranks	Common Ranks
Commander of the Household	Master of Arms
Vice Commander of the Household	Man of Arms
Lead Swordsman	Master Retainer
Chief Knight	Retainer
Commander Knight	Master Squire
Quaster Commander	Squire
Quaster	Lancer
Legate	Hobilar
Captain of the Order	Initiate
Knight of The Order	Probationer

[RobertAgira]

COMMUNITIES OF THE ORDER

Not by design the isle is split into five distinct communities. This came through hundreds of years of people joining The Order and moving to the homeland, as such they sought out people of a similar background and language to help them settle. This saw several communities within the Order grow, there is no tension between them however as the overriding devotion to The Order ensures all consider themselves equal. Each does maintain some of its own peculiar traditions and customs but these are often shared freely, such as the Celtic communities New Year's Eves wild parties and the Nordic Communities insistence on cremation rather than burial, something many still attribute to a throw back to the cultures pagan days.

Community (Largest First)	Background
Latin	The largest of the communities, they arrived in 1097 and were the first of The Order. Many of them came drawn by the religious message of the Order keen to do what they saw as God's work. This is the reason why Latin is seen as the official language of the nation. This group have the longest established traditions and are seen as the most orthodox but still very much un-Catholic.
Germanic	First arrived in early 1100's whenthose who had converted to Christianity saw fit to raise a Legion, equip it and send it to serve the Order. It soon earned a reputation as a fearsome unit and was often in the vanguard of battle. As more of the tribes converted more and more flocked to the nation as a chance to escape the harsh winters that decimated their homeland's farms. Today they are renowned brewers and hold huge harvest festivals.
Celtic	Began arriving in the early 1200's in order to escape persecution in Ui Cenneslaig. They brought with them their culture of pipes and drums and even adopted a tartan for the Order. They were considered to be amongst the most loyal and stable soldiers in battle. Even today in the Celtic community you will see men and women wearing the Order tartan. There still exists in the nations military two Regiments that recruit only from the Celtic community. Knight Commander Hugo Lascelles is from this community, able to trace his ancestry back to the 1300's.
Black	One of the later arrivals on the island. The Order gave them the opportunity to serve God and also be treated with the same rights as anyone else, something that in some areas of the world was lacking. They arrived first in late 1500's and were shunned in communities beyond the homeland where they served. The Orders community though embraced them and they served in fully integrated military units. Knight Master Vivian Lambert traces her ancestry back to an escaped galleon slave who joined The Order in 1562. Today this community tend to have the most flamboyant religious celebrations.
Nordic	The smallest community, originally these were outcasts from their homeland (modern day Nya Aland) because of their conversion to Christianity. Some however secretly kept their old faith joining as in Nordic communities 2nd son's inherited nothing, the Order provided a way for a man to claim new land. Some elements of the old Nordic culture still exist in the community such as their celebrations of Christmas and Midsummer, however they are now as devout as any other community. They built few Churches preferring to pray in the outdoors and unlike the other communities prefer cremation to burial at death.

[RobertAgira]

CHARTER OF THE ORDER OF MOUNTJOY

The Charter of the Order of Mountjoy was established with the foundation of the Knightly Order and is seen as a form of constitution for the nation.

Aims

To promote:-

•   Spirituality, Meditation,Charity and Chivalry.
•   To maintain the history of the Order and preserve Ancestral Heritage 
•   To encourage the noble ideals of Chivalry and to promote “ Nobility through deeds of Charity & Honour”. 
•   To support the poor, the sick, the unjustly accused, to stand against oppression and to protect freedom & Liberty

The Original Law

1.   Protect travellers & Keepers of the Faith
2.   Bury the dead
3.   Offer shelter from the sun and offer water to the thirsty
4.   Protect the possessions of travellers
5.   Protect the faith " miles christi" (Knight of Christ)
6.   Embrace a higher calling
7.   Meditate everyday at set times
8.   Provide food & clothing for members
9.   Give yourself to the service of God
10.   Be recognised as an Order
11.   Live without the desire for money
12.   Govern oneself
13.   Knights are to wear white mantles & sergeants and squires to wear black or brown mantles
14.   Recruit members to fight for king & faith
15.   Supporters of the faith are to be honoured
16.   Right to own land and take donations to the order
17.   Provide means to fight for the faith
18.   Protection of the land of Jerusalem
19.   Freedom from local ecclesiastical authorities
20.   Titled members to be given the best robes and to wear leather gloves
21.   Masons are the only other people permitted to wear gloves to protect their hands
22.   Titled members are permitted to sit next to a master at meal times,
23.   To be served first and given the best food
24.   If a Titled member sinned he shall undertake double penance
25.   Titled members can hear confessions and give absolution
26.   Five faults that a Titled member could not give absolution for: 1. Killing a Christian man or women 2. Violently attacking another member 3. Attacking a member of another order or priest 4. renouncing the faith 5. Entering the order through fraud
27.   Act independently of ecclesiastical and secular rulers
28.   The Knight Commander and members are given sole responsibility for the actions and conduct of the order
29.   Ten Good Knights are appointed to defend the City of Jerusalem
30.   A member is not allowed to charge without permission except to rescue another Christian in distress (he will lose his habit if he did so)
31.   If the Order were defeated in battle a member of the order was not allowed to return to the garrison while there was still an Order banner raised aloft, to do so is to be expelled
32.   Ten Knights are to guard the Order΄s banner
33.   A member will be expelled if whilst carrying the banner he charges without permission or if he lowers the banner
34.   Members are not allowed to lodge with other orders.
35.   Members are not allowed to eat or drink wine outside of their garrison when on campaign.
36.   In battle a member who can not rally round the order΄s banner for any reason must give support to a fellow Christian banner.
37.   Retreat is only possible with the Knight Commander
38.   Money will only be given to a member for him to purchase a particular item or perform a specific task for the order, any sum remaining had to be returned immediately
39.   A member found to have money on him when he died is not to be buried in consecrated ground, or other members to pray for his soul, his body is to be thrown to the dogs
40.   The Knight Commander is not allowed to give away land without the permission of the members
41.   Disobeying orders will be expelled

Today clearly many of these rules have been changed but the spirit of the Charter is still upheld.[/size]

[RobertAgira]

ORDERS NAVAL SERVICE (ONS)

AKA - The Brothers of St.Brendan

The nations Navy is primarily designed with its four ship amphibious vessels at the core. It is today designed to essentially get the Army into combat or peacekeeping duties. The Navy boasts 49,722 sailors and 21,733 reservists.

Genesis Class Amphibious Warfare Ship

1. OMS Adam
2. OMS Seth

(Each equipped with up to 18 helicopters, a combination of EMAC Lifter and Wildcat)

Exodus Class Amphibious Warfare Ship

1. Enos
2. Kenan

Each with 6 EMAC Lifter

Leviticus Class Attack Submarin

1. Mahalalel
2. Enoch
3. Lamech
4. Shem
5. Jared
6. Methuselah
7. Noah

Numbers Class Missile Submarine

1. Cain
2. Irad

Deuteronomy Class Frigate

1. Mehujael
2. Tubal-Cain
3. Arpachashad
4. Shelah
5. Eber
6. Peleg
Each with 1 EMAC Lifter

Joshua Class Destroyer

1. Reu
2. Serug
3. Nahor
4. Terah
5. Abraham
6. Isaac
7. Jacob
8. Judah
9. Perez
10. Herzon

Each with two Wildcat


Judges Class Patrol Ship

1. Ram
2. Amminadab
3. Nahshon
4. Salmon
5. Boarz
6. Obed
7. Jesse
8. David
9. Abel
10. Sarah

Each with one Wildcat

Ruth Class LCS

1. Rachel
2. Moses
3. Aaron
Each with one Wildcat

Samuel Class Mine Warfare Vessel

1. Miriam
2. Eldad
3. Medad

[RobertAgira]

ORDERS AIR SERVICE
AKA - Brothers of Loreto

The nations air-force was founded in 1913 and has become a key part of the nations armed forces. It currently boasts 48,986 airmen and 21,372 reservists.

Aircraft	Role	No.In Service
A-3 Panther	Ground Attack	44
A-7 Leopard	Ground Support	5
B-6 Agama	Tactical Bomber	25
C-28 Balikun	Cargo	9
C-40 Gidran	Cargo	34
C-30 Rivoche	Cargo	58
E-5 Asio	AEWACS	5
E-6 Jubula	Command & Control	1
EMAC Spotter	Electronic Warfare	3
F-30 Dhole	Multi-Role Fighter	70
F-27 Coyote	Multi-Role Fighter	125
F-20 Wolf	Fighter	30
KC-9 Frog	Tanker/Transport	9
KC-13 Toad	Tanker/Transport	12
T-5 Kitten	Light Fighter/ Jet Trainer	74
T-6 Cub	Basic Trainer/Light Attack	69
H-53 Swan	SAR/Utility Helicopter	16
H-1 Swift	Utility Helicopter	10
H-28 Robin	Tilt Rotar	7
UV-Banshee	Drone	14

[RobertAgira]

 Abortion: Illegal except in case of it posing a risk to the Mother's health.

• Adultery: Legal but seen as sinful.

• Affirmative action: No.

• Age of consent: 16 years.

• Age of majority: 18 years.

• Artificial insemination: Illegal.

• Assisted suicide: Illegal.

• Basic liberties: Freedom of conscience,  freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and the right to own private property.

• Bestiality: Illegal.

• Birth control: Legal

• Childcare: Order run child care is given free for 10 hours a week and then paid for.

• Concealed carry: No

• Death penalty: No. Last execution was in 1967

• Divorce: No, only through an annulment process or on grounds of adultery.

• Double jeopardy: Allowed only in cases when there is new and compelling evidence against the accused.

• Drinking age: 18

• Driving age: 17

• Education: School is compulsory until 16 and is free, however a parallel private school system exists.

• Eminent domain: Legal for use by The Order with fair compensation for property owners.

• Equal pay for equal work: Yes

• Felony disenfranchisement: Yes.

• Flag desecration: No laws

• Gambling age: 18

• Gun purchase age: 18 year olds may apply for a gun licence which includes a medical and background checks. A licence must be obtained for each weapon and a maximum of three may be held by any individual at one time.

• Homosexuality in the military: Don't ask don't tell.

• Human cloning: Illegal.

• In vitro fertilization: Legal

• Marriageable age: 16 years with parents permission, 18 years otherwise

• Military conscription: No.

• Minimum wage: Yes

• Parental leave: 16 months in total for the parents, to be split how they see fit.

• Polygamy: Illegal

• Pornography: Illegal.

• Prostitution: Illegal.

• Race: Racial discrimination is prohibited in all areas of life.

• Same-sex marriage: Not recognised

• School leaving age: 16 years.

• Sex reassignment surgery: Illegal

• Sex toys: Legal

• Sexually transmitted diseases: Anyone who knowingly carries such an infection is required to disclose that information to any potential sexual partners; otherwise, consent by that partner to participate in sexual activity is considered invalid, and the carrier of the infection can be charged with causing Grevious Bodily Harm and can carry a sentence of up to life. In the case of AIDS/HIV the charge is attempted murder and can carry a life sentence. 

• Smoking age: 16.

• Sodomy laws:- Illegal

• State ideology: Protestant faith pertaining to the Charter of The Order of Mountjoy

• State religion: Christianity

• Stem cell research: Embryonic stem cell research is illegal, but using other kinds of stem cells for research is legal.

• Taxation: Sliding scale income tax.

• Torture: Illegal

• Trial by jury: Yes for crimes carrying a sentence of potentially more than two years, if under a Magistrate hears the case.

• Universal healthcare: Free at point of use for all but non-essential medical treatments (E.g cosmetic surgery is not given for free)

• Voting age: Voting rights determined by membership of the Order of Mountjoy not age.

• Women's rights: Full equality

• Working age: 14 years of age (part time/ family business) 16 years of age (full time)

• Working week: The standard work week is 40 hours.


OOC- Thanks to TYP for template

[RobertAgira]

CITIES OF MOUNTJOY

CITADEL OF ST.JOHN



Despite being called a Citadel the city is far from this, in fact it is a sprawling mass of a city that mixes medieval sandstone buildings, places of worship and modern apartment style buildings. The city is more commonly called St.John today by the international Community however members of the Order proudly stick to using the name in full as the one of the most familiar landmarks within the city is a large sandstone coloured fort which sits on the spot where the Orders founders, the Lascelles family recruited many of the Orders first members. Today that Citadel is a tourist attraction as well as a still functioning Headquarters of the Order of Mountjoy.



The Citadel dominates the harbour of the city which is home to a major international port. The Citadel has been renovated around ten times during its life and bears very little physical resemblance to the first one built by the Lascelles. The city today is also home to a large international airport and is a transit hub for parts of Southern Aranye, a position built up since Medieval times. There are over 100 different Churches, ranging in size from the giant St. John's Cathedral, down to the Church of St. Augustine which is barely big enough for ten people to pray in. Many of these Churches contain monuments to various members of the Orders history.


BETHLEHEM

Established by the Order in the 11th Century it is the most Northernly city in Mountjoy, it is named after the birth place of Jesus Christ and is home to around 1million people.



The city maintains much of its medieval charm and sits at the foot of hills on a plain which provides excellent farmland. The city is home to several major agricultural projects.

It's Patron Saint is Mary, after whom the cities Cathedral is named. The city was a stopping off point during the Crusades and has many sub offices of the various Orders who ventured North to fight in the Crusades.


CANAAN



Third largest city. Coastal
 

CALVARY


Fourth Largest City, middle of nation


NAZARETH



Fifth Lagrest City, central plains


NEW CLAITH



Sxith Largest City & most modern historically. Coastal



EKRON



Seventh Largest City, hills