Athlandia

My imaginary country of Athlandia...

Athlandia is based on early medieval England ~ hence the Anglo-Saxon place and people names.

It is surrounded on 2 sides by sea and 2 by mountains.

The western mountains separate Athlandia from its friendly (and vaguely Scandanavian) neighbour Nordmark.

Directly north, is their more Germanic neighbour Hochsachsenland.

Their nearest neighbour across the sea is Bregesia.

There are 2 major rivers, the River Radley in the north and the River Bain in the south.

Kynbury is the capital and residence of the King.

Some of the major towns are associated with particular noble families, and therefore their emblems.

Map of Athlandia

I tried to create my own Anglo-Saxon sounding names, mixing up elements of real places, but in the process I have accidently hit upon some real towns and villages.  Holcombe and Hadleigh are two such places; my versions probably do not appear anything like the originals and I apologise for any misunderstandings!

Some of the places are linked to particular strands of the royal family: Will's come from Oakham, Stan's from Borhythe, Jay's from Upgarham, Connor's from Upmilbrook (now settled in Grahurst), Unwin's from Sedgewick (it's meaning linked to swords), and Bryony's from Aldackerley in the south.  I introduce others in future books.

The second map is the first reworked on a computer for "Capture and Liberation", the fourth book of Athlandia.

Royal Family Tree

This shows the royal family of Athlandia, the tree that Will shows Bryony.  Who knows what secrets, past and present, may still be hidden amongst the names...