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'''== Fictional City States =='''


== STANDBRIDGE ==
 {{infobox UK place
 |country= England
 |region= South West England
 |official_name= Standbridge
 |coordinates = {{coord|50.8342|-1.9955|display=inline,title}}
 |map_type=Dorset
 |population= 35,553| population_ref = ([[United Kingdom Census|Census]])
 |shire_district= [[East Dorset]]
 |shire_county= [[Dorset]]
 |post_town= STANDBRIDGE
 |postcode_area= BH
 |postcode_district= BH21
 |dial_code= 01202
 |os_grid_reference= SU0032003920
}}

[[image:Standbridge_City_Seal.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Standbridge's City Seal. The Cyrillic is indicative of the city's first Russian Abbot]]

'''Standbridge''' (often referred to locally as '''Stanbridge''') is a [[city-state]] in the [[East Dorset]] district of [[Dorset]] located in Stand Vale, [[South West England]]. The central city has a population of 35,553 (according to the [[United Kingdom Census|Census]]) and is situated on the [[River Allen, Dorset|River Stand]], twelve [[mile]]s south of [[Pennmarth]] by [[road]].

The [[Arbitration|Arbiter]] of Standbridge, Dr. Oliver Pickman, who has held the position for over eight years, replacing the previous Arbiter of Standbridge Prof. Alijah Barrow.<ref>[http://www.ukvillages.co.uk/government_links/Stanbridge-Dorset Arbiter of Standbridge]</ref> The town and its state region is overseen by twenty councillors. Standbridge is currently allied with [[Pennmarth]] and is a partner in the Dorset State Alliance<ref>[http://www.dorsetforyou.com/ Dorset County Council]</ref>. A [[peace treaty]] has been signed with [[Gondelsheim|Rhineholm]] to formally end armed conflict.

==Geography, Environs and Climate==
Standbridge claims dominion over a [[Valley|vale]] within [[Dorset]], though its controlling area extends further than this. The city itself is situated on the [[River Allen, Dorset|River Stand]], which flows as a [[tribute|tributary]] from the [[River Allen, Dorset|River Allen]]. The River Stand connects Standbridge to the [[South Coast|Southern Coast]] twenty-one [[mile]]s away from the city. 

The [[valley]] that separates Standbridge from the rest of [[East Dorset]] is almost impassable in the northern region. It is well known that when travelling north out Standbridge, Cranborne Road<ref>[http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Cranborne&sll=50.918781,-1.921706&sspn=0.019615,0.030684&ie=UTF8&z=12&iwloc=addr Formally known as 'Pennmarth Road']</ref> rises from [[Stand Vale]] only to be met with a crest of grey rock. The road then turns sharply to the west as it slowly curves around the base of the cliff, before heading back northwards, eventually leading to [[Pennmarth]].

Various [[tribute|tributary]] [[Farm|farmsteads]] supplying Standbridge dot the land surrounding the city. Most are little more than [[agriculture|agrarian]] [[farms]], but the strongest population of these lay northward in a conical twelve mile [[county]]. Dr. Oliver Pickman has been in long-running negotiations with [[Wimborne Minster|Wimborne]] to reclaim farms south of Standbridge.

In terms of [[Climate of the United Kingdom|weather]], Standbrige has a mid-latitude [[oceanic climate]], the same as the rest of [[England]].

===Buildings and architecture===

[[image:Standbridge_View_South.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A photo from Standbridge's Newspaper of the city looking south.]]

The [[architecture]] of Standbridge has a collection of [[14th century|14th]], [[15th century|15th]] and [[16th century]] buildings, though it is speculated that some foundations and one [[campanile]] date back even further. An amendment to the local [[Planning permission|planning act]] has restricted the construction of new buildings in areas such as [[Arch bridge|Barrow Bridge]] and [[Gunpowder|Powderhouse]] Lane, which has preserved almost all of the original buildings. The most interesting examples of [[Architecture of the United Kingdom|English architecture]] include the [[12th century]] [[Abbey|Catholic Abbey]], the City Hall, [[Train station|Holt Street Station]] and dozens of original [[18th century]] fronted shops and pubs.

===Holt Street Station===
Standbridge is served by a two platform [[railway station]] which was built in the [[1800]]s. It was later expanded when the [[Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway]] was constructed between [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] and [[Poole]]. The station had a large goods yard, of which the present site today is occupied by an office of Osprey Couriers<ref>[http://www.192.com/local/DONCASTER/COURIER/OSPREY_COURIERS/XBBBF1016895F4FFCA8DBABA6E3CCBBC9 Business listing for Osprey Couriers in Doncaster]</ref>

==History==
Standbridge's origins are of a [[market]] [[Hamlet (place)|hamlet]] close to a [[Ford (crossing)|fording]] point on the [[River Allen, Dorset|River Stand]]. The earliest records date back to [[1021]], but [[archaeology|archaeological]] finds imply the site was settled much earlier than this date. Yet the most significant change took place in [[1099]] by the actions of a [[Crusades|crusader]] only referred to as 'De Curzone'. It is understood that Curzone gained significant wealth while abroad in the [[Middle East]] and was subsequently rewarded by [[William II of England|William II]] with [[Count|countship]] of Stand vale. The definitive reason behind why this decision was made by William II is still unknown.

Standbridge's first structure, at the [[Ford (crossing)|natural bridging point]] of the [[River Allen, Dorset|River Stand]] was a [[beam bridge]] in [[1103]] and a year later the [[Abbey|Catholic Abbey]] founded in [[1104]]. The count De Curzone titled himself Abbot until a Russian Orthodox Abbot named [[Abbot#Abbots in art and literature|Daniel]] returned from his [[pilgrimage]] to the [[Holy Land]] in [[1107]]. Curzone offered [[monks]] of the abbey lands near the [[River Allen, Dorset|River Stand]], which they used to found a [[Family values|filial institution]]. In [[1112]], the first buildings were consecrated. In the same year, De Curzone offered the abbey a splinter of the [[Christian cross|Holy Cross]] which he acquired during his participation in the [[First Crusade]].

During the High and the Late [[Middle Ages]] Standbridge Abbey was famous for its scholarship and learning as well as being a place of exemplary [[Monasticism|monastic discipline]] due its strict adherence to the [[Rule of St Benedict.]]

Around [[1120]] count De Curzone began the construction of another abbey north of Standbridge upon [[Cliff|high bluff]]. Hampered with its [[Erosion|exposed position]], the second abbey took far longer to build, subsequently a [[Hamlet (place)|hamlet]] grew next to the site. It is not known exactly when the abbey and its separate [[Campanile|bell tower]] were completed, but De Curzone was known to have fed and watered the hamlet’s populace while the abbey was under construction.  The Abby’s design was so curious, reminiscent of [[Islamic architecture|Islamic]] and [[French architecture]], that passing [[Merchant|traders]] started to avoid the hamlet whose [[Denization|denizens]] had now changed from their previously kind nature to one of [[hostility]]. 

Once completed, the ‘[[Monasticism|Monastic Order]] of Skospitaller’ was established there; led by De Curzone and followed by the entire population of the cliff top hamlet. Standbridge and [[Abbot|Abbot Daniel]] refused association with De Curzone, along with his [[monastery]], as it had not [[Ordination|ordained]] by the [[pope]]. The next recorded event regarding Curzone was the total and rapid abandonment of the cliff top hamlet around [[1150]], which has never been explained, but historians regard a [[plague]] as the likely cause for the desertion. Over the century the Abbey was [[Illicit antiquities|looted]] for its stone; but the obelisk-like [[Campanile|bell tower]] remains untouched to this day. The [[campanile]] and its surrounding land is now [[Privately held company|privately owned]], with [[Trespasser|trespassers]] risking [[corporal punishment]] for any [[misdemeanour]]. Yet because of its position, the bell tower can still be seen from anywhere in Standbridge up on the edge of the Northern [[cliff]]. 

Standbridge grew through the [[14th Century|14th]] and [[16th Century]] as a [[market town]], along the [[River Allen, Dorset|River Stand]] to the west. A [[quarry]] to the south exported stone via the river and [[agriculture|agrarian]] [[farms]] traded livestock for grain. Stanbridge was also know for training well organised [[militia]], a forerunner to the [[City-State]] act of the [[18th Century]]. These troops were [[Mercantilism|mercantile]] in nature, usually hired by private [[Landholder|landowners]] to annex adjacent farms to their own. Standbridge council turned a blind eye to the internal fighting, as every farmstead hired mercenaries for either protection or expansion. It was during the [[16th century]] Standbridge's infamous involvement with [[Gondelsheim|Rhineholm]] began.

Contact between [[Gondelsheim|Rhineholm]] and Standbridge was established to conjoin the towns, under the common place practice of [[town twinning]]. The mutual interest between the two towns was cultural, as well as technological. The alliance lasted for eleven years, but turned sour in [[1525]], with the [[town twinning|twinning]] subsequently being annulled following year. 

The reason behind the cancellation centred on a dispute over [[Horneck Castle, Germany|Horneck Castle]] in [[Germany]]. Standbridge's council in [[1521]] requested an [[Archaeological science|archaeometry]] study at the site, but were refused by the [[mayor]] of [[Gondelsheim|Rhineholm]]. Standbridge made progressively frequent requests, which refutably became aggressive until the spring of [[1525]]. [[Horneck Castle, Germany|Horneck Castle]] was ravaged by fire, started by [[Peasants' War|revolting peasants]], but in the aftermath the blame was pointed squarely at Standbridge. Rhineholm council placed responsibility fully on the actions of Standbridge's [[Official residence|foreign dignitaries]] who were accused of organising the attack, and using the [[Peasants' War]] as cover. Standbridge denied all claims of involvement, yet retaliated by rapidly withdrawing all its [[Mercantilism|mercantile]] troops and [[noble|dignitaries]]. 

The last public accusation before the [[Espionage Act of 1917|Espionage Act]] of [[1532]], when a large amount of information regarding the two towns was classified, was from Rhineholm's council regarding artefacts recovered from the [[Horneck Castle, Germany|Horneck Castle]] ruins. It was discovered that significant (but never explicitly listed and named) cultural, scientific and ancient [[Artifact|artefacts]] were missing; the blame was once again placed against Standbridge.

==Government and politics==
The Standbridge styles itself as an [[oligarchy]] government, most [[councillor]]s being doctors and professors at the [[University]] of Standbridge. Other significant figures work within City Hall as minor [[Arbitration|arbiters]] and [[Chief of police|Chiefs of Police]]. Standbridge has strong [[Militarism|militaristic]] and [[colonialism|colonialistic]] goals, usually only forming [[alliance]]s with other states for mutual benefit or bypassing negotiations in favour of forceful acquisition. The most stable [[alliance]] has been with [[Pennmarth]], which has lasted over seventeen years. Standbridge is also a partner in the Dorset State Alliance which disallows direct [[warfare]] and encourages friendly rivalry.

===Armed forces===

[[image:Standbridge_arms.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Standbridge's Military Coat of Arms. All mercantile troops and hardware bare this insignia]]

Standbridge's loyal [[Mercantile]] [[Stosstruppen]] number in the thousand since the introduction of the [[City Country Alliance|Allied City Country Alliance]] act of the [[16th Century]]. This act allowed Mercenaries to disseminate publicly to investors who they were in allegiance with. With large state-beneficiaries for bearing a city's military insignia, veteran [[Stosstruppen]] often display many coats of arms whereas new recruits will take any work they can. 

Standbridge's [[police]] force is recruited from military elite, those who wish to no longer serve abroad or have settled in Standbridge permanently. The [[Standing Army]] and [[Police Department]] work [[intelligence (information gathering)|intelligence]]-gathering operations overseas and within England. These are primarily for [[crime analysis]] and preventing [[saboteurs]] and [[espionage]], though the S.P.D are known to use [[double agent]]s and paid [[informants]].

===Economy===
The historically important telegraph company [[Transatlantic telegraph cable|R. S. Newall & Co]] has a factory in Standbridge and employs a large proportion of its residents. [[Transatlantic telegraph cable|R. S. Newall & Co]] is one of the two English firms to manufacture the [[Transatlantic telegraph cable]]. The economy of the main city is dedicated towards its [[Marketplace]] and has many [[Retailing|shops]], [[restaurants]] and [[pubs]]. [[Tourism]] is an important aspect in the city's economy.

==External links==
* [http://www.ukvillages.co.uk/ukvillages.nsf/bx?open&s=villagebody2007&v=Stanbridge-Dorset Standbrige, Dorset]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

== PENNMARTH ==
{{infobox UK place
 |country= England
 |region= South West England
 |official_name= Pennmarth
 |coordinates = {{coord|50.961397|-1.950331|display=inline}}
 |coordinates_display=inline
 |map_type=Dorset
 |population= 15,340 |population_ref = ([[United Kingdom Census|Census]])
 |shire_district= [[East Dorset]]
 |shire_county= [[Dorset]]
 |post_town= PENNMARTH
 |postcode_area= BH
 |postcode_district= BH21
 |dial_code= 01202
 |os_grid_reference= SU0335017820
}}

:''This article refers to the city-state in Dorset.  For other uses of "Pentridge", see [[Pentridge (disambiguation)]].''

'''Pennmarth''' (originally known as '''Pentridge''') is a village in north east [[Dorset]], [[England]], situated on [[Cranborne Chase]] twelve [[mile]]s north of [[Standbridge]] by road, and twelve miles south west of [[Salisbury, Wiltshire|Salisbury]].  The city has a [[population]] of 15,340 as recorded in the [[United Kingdom Census]].  The original name of the city-state has a [[Celtic languages|Celtic]] meaning, but was changed during the [[17th century]]. The [[Arbitration|Arbiter]]  and [[Deacon|Deacons]] of Pennmarth wanted to disassociate the [[city-state]] from the [[tribute|tributary]] [[village|village]], [[Pentridge]] which [[Secession|seceded]] from Pennmarth.

The division was amicable until the ownership of [[Pentridge|Pentridge Hill]] was under question. Small armed skirmishes were intermittently reported about between [[1682]] and [[1698]] until [[Pentridge]] succeeded in procuring the area.

[[image:Pennmarth archive.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Pennmarth's main archive with a Military Epistle on display]]

The [[city-state]] has been allied with [[Standbridge]] for over seventeen years and is a partner in the Dorset State Alliance. The city houses many of [[Standbridge]]'s archives and military [[Epistle]]s.