Alternative History
Register
Advertisement
Markland
Timeline: The Kalmar Union
Subdivision of Vinland
Flag Coat of Arms
Flag Coat of Arms
Capital
(and largest city)
Sjóeyjor
Population 72,350 

Markland Fylk is the third largest of the Vinlandic fylkír. The population is 72,350 and the capital is Sjóeyjor. Densely forested and bitterly cold, most of the population lives in or around the capital, which itself is on the Algonquinland border, and apart from a few isolated mining towns in the interior the only settlements are on the southern coast.

Markland was historically a source of timber for the otherwise treeless Greenlandic and Icelandic Norse colonies. Many of the earliest visitors, such as Leif Ericsson, would load up with Markland timber before heading back to their respective homesteads after spending the winter on Vinland. Until the fur industry really took off in the 14th century Markland timber was Vinland's most valuable export. It is reckoned that all of Greenland's and 90% of Iceland's towns are built from Markland timber.

The first settlers to Markland arrived escaping the dictatorial rule of Snorri in the 1030s. At that point the climate was milder and farming was possible along the coasts. However as the climate slowly worsened in the 13th century most of the farming population left for the farms of Hafsvaedaland or Álengiamark. Those remaining turned to the forests and fishing. Charcoal was one of its major exports during this period. The population really went into decline during the Great Northern War and has barely changed since.

Nowadays timber and fur is less important than the iron mines in the deep in the centre of Markland. There are virtually no internal land transport links apart from the railway carrying iron ore so most transport has to be done around the coasts by sea.

Markland is divided into three counties: the huge counties of Nor-Markland and Auster-Markland are mostly uninhabited. The majority of the population lives in the small county of Sjóeyjorland. Many reformers would like to see Markland and Ingolfursey Fylk combined, however others prefer they remain separate; not only because Markland is so big to begin with but also because they feel it would harm moves to divide up the far more populous Hafsvaedalands.

Markland

The fylk of Markland and its surroundings

Advertisement