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Saturday 24 September 2022

What name to use?

Having finished my Zubian Army, I only have the British Colonial figures in my collection to renovate, varnish, and rebase. This should take me about a fortnight … but I’m rather stuck as to what to call the country whose army they will represent.

In the past I’ve used Britannia, and that is currently the front runner. However, I’m open to using a different name and I’d appreciate suggestions. Alternatives I have already considered so far include:

  • The United Kingdoms (which harks back to the heptarchy)
  • Albion (the name used by the Romans before the name Britannia became more popular)
  • Anglia (named after the Angles who invaded during the post-Roman period)
  • Saxony (again, named after the Saxons who invaded during the post-Roman period)
  • Jutland (yet again, named after the Jutes who invaded during the post-Roman period)
  • Pritania (derived from the Greek name – Pritani – used before the Roman invasion)
  • Northland, Norland, or Normandy

55 comments:

  1. Bob -
    I quite like Albion. But I recall once thinking that 'Angerland' would be a suitable companion island to Ireland. I'd not use Jutland or Saxony as they are already countries, but you might consider some other variation upon the name. Jutmarch or similar. Saxinsel - island of the Saxons - maybe? Or Britinnis - island of the Britons...

    My approach has generally been to float names around in my head until it sounds right. As I was using Wellsian colours for my 19th Century armies, Ruberia (Redland) came fairly easily, but I might equally well have chosen Cochtir, or something similar.

    Cheers,
    Ion

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    Replies
    1. Archduke Piccolo (Ion),

      I’ve been playing about with all sorts of alternative imagi-nation names, including the one used by the Brontes, Angria. Like Anglia … but not quite.

      Using Albion does appeal to me, but it does sound rather like Alba, which is the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland. I even considered a variation on the name Doggerland (the submerged land bridge between the British Isles and continent of Europe), but somehow it didn’t quite work.

      I may well use Albion as a working name for the moment … and then make a decision later.

      All the best,

      Bob

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    2. The Bronte derived Angrian Nation have a rising sun flag, the design of which I played around with and then realised I had reinvented the flag of Macedonia. Arise Angria, Ed, etc! https://manoftinblog.wordpress.com/gaming-the-bronte-family-imaginations-of-glasstown-angria-gondal-and-gaaldine/

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    3. Mark, Man of TIN,

      It was your series of blog posts about the Brontes and Angria that led me to buying copies of several books about their imagi-nation.

      Flag design isn’t as easy as some people imagine, and coming up with a design that closely resembles that of North Macedonia is hardly surprising.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Rob Young,

      An interesting suggestion. Thank you.

      All the best,

      Bob

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    2. Neil Patterson (Neil),

      Thanks for the very useful suggestions. I decided that ‘Blighty’ was a bit to difficult to use as a possessive (Blightions?) but Commonwealth does appeal even better than the ‘United Kingdoms’. (That’s the Puritan in me coming to the fore!)

      All the best,

      Bob

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    3. StuRat,

      Whilst typing Blightonians, my iPad has tried to change it to ‘blight onions’ and ‘blight on Ian’s’!

      I’ll give it some thought but I am tending towards using the Commonwealth of Albion.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Kevin,

      Thanks for your vote! A second for Albion.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  4. I would go for Albia or Albion every time time, preferably ruled by Gloriana.

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    Replies
    1. Rob Young,

      ‘The Kingdom of Albion/Alba’ rules by ‘Queen Gloriana I’ does have rather a nice ring to it! Thank you for suggesting them.

      All the best,

      Bob

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    2. A very good book by the way, I like all of Michael Moorcock's books.

      Delete
    3. Mark Cordone,

      I’ve read some of Moorcock’s books, and enjoyed those that I have.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  5. I use Paul Wright's Redia. my friend Bob uses Britannia.

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    Replies
    1. Quantrilltoy,

      I have certainly considered using both, but I’d rather come up with something that hasn’t been used before to avoid confusion. It’s one reason why I used Khakistan rather than Fezia, which was my original first choice.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  6. Bretonnia, Hardrada (after the Norwegian victory over English and Normans in 1066), Alfredia (after King Alfred), Arthuria after king Arthur, Dragonia (after Arthur's dragon symbol).

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    Replies
    1. Quantrilltoy,

      I’d not considered either alternative history or mythical origins for the name I’ll use … but they are all very attractive.

      It looks as if I’m going to have quite a long list to choose from.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  7. Replies
    1. Mike,

      Cheers! That’s another vote for Albion.

      I’m sort of coming round to the idea of using ‘The Commonwealth of Albion’, ruled over by the ‘Queen and Lord Protector Gloriana I’. The backstory could include the restoration of a constitutional monarchy after a civil war. The Republican Commonwealth’s Instrument of Government could form the basis of a constitutional monarchy, with the monarch becoming the Lord Protector.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  8. Replies
    1. Donjondo,

      I like it … but I’m afraid I won’t be using it.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  9. Hi Bob,
    How about Logria ? This is the old British name for what is now England. The modern Welsh is Lloegr.

    S&F

    Mike

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    Replies
    1. Mike C,

      I’d never heard of that before. I’ll certainly add it to the list of possibles.

      S&F,

      Bob

      Delete
  10. As I am generally a little unserious about most things, my own answer to this conundrum is Ginlandia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John Y,

      It’s certainly one my wife would vote for!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  11. I've used Albion, Britannia, and most recently Mercia for my British based imagi-nations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark Cordone,

      I did consider using Mercia which was - of course - one of the leading countries that formed the heptarchy.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  12. How about Caroleana (or something similar) as we now have another Charles on the throne?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve Cordery,

      That’s one possibility that I had not considered … and has given me some pause for thought,

      Your suggestion has rather put the cat among the pigeons!

      All the best,

      Bob

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  13. What about Angleland - the land of the Angles? And, depending on exactly how you say it (especially if you’ve had a beer or two) it might even sound suspiciously similar to England…😂🤣
    Cheers,
    Geoff

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    Replies
    1. Elliesdad (Geoff),

      Thanks for the suggestion. It is one of the possibilities that I’ve considered, and it’s still on my list.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  14. Why not Saxony - the other half of Anglo-Saxon?

    Or Georgia, after St. George.

    One of my favorite historical fantasy series is Tales of the Branion Realm by Fiona Patton, and I've gotten plenty of place names out of it. The country (and island) are named Branion after Bran and Braniana (in turn named for Welsh heroes, iirc), while Wales becomes Gwyneth, Scotland is Heathland, and Ireland is Eireon. Provinces include Yorbourne, Essendale and Kempston, all useful regimental names. I'm currently considering an imagination Northern War between Danelind, Nordanger and Storvichholm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer,

      I have considered using Saxony, but as someone else has pointed out, it was a real country.

      I’ve never heard of TALES OF THE BRANION REALM, but is sounds as if it is a great resource of place names etc. I will investigate further!

      I do hope that you develop your imagi-nation project. It sounds intriguing.

      All the best,

      Bob

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    2. A more popular series with similar naming conventions is the Deryni series by Katherine Kurtz, which unlike Patton's should still be in print. The entire country there is called Gwynedd, while the Wales expy becomes Meara.

      Delete
    3. Jennifer,

      Yet another series of books that I’ve not heard of before. Your suggestions are certainly adding books to my ‘must read’ pile!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  15. Replies
    1. Simon,

      A good question; what about Yorkshire?

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  16. I immediately thought of Anglia when I began reading this post and then I saw you thought of it as well. Then I read Jutland and I like that. Not being familiar with the history of the Jutes it looks like I have a little reading to do BUT it did make me think of Vikings in general. So I thought of Greenland and Iceland, both rather bluntly named by the Vikings. So I offer Midland as an extension of their simply descriptive naming conventions. So that's my two cents

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    Replies
    1. Mr. Pavone,

      Your thinking seems to be along similar lines to mine.

      I’d like to choose a historically viable name that is derived from Greco-Roman or Viking/Anglo-Saxon sources, but I’m open to other options.

      All the best,

      Bob

      PS. The Jutes were one of the tribes that came over to Britain as part of the Anglo-Saxon invasion/settlement.

      Delete
  17. Another late vote for Albion. The fact Scotland's name in Gaelic is Alba to me seems just a sign that the two words have a common derivation, and originally referred to the island of Great Britain, not just one part of it. One from the Continental perspective and one from the Irish perspective.

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    Replies
    1. Nundanket,

      Cheers! Albion seems to be emerging as the leading contender.

      Jennifer suggested Georgia based on the fact that St George was the country’s patron saint, but on looking into it, I discovered that this was only decided by Edward III in 1348. Before that it was St Edmund … although it really ought to be St Alban, who was the first British martyr. Working on that premise, Albion makes perfect sense as first choice for my imagi-nation.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  18. Hi Bob.
    Maybe ‘Victalbertia’…..a concatonatified Victoria and Albert reference…..(??).
    You have many fine recommendations without this added to the mix!!
    Good luck with the search.
    Martin

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    Replies
    1. Martin S.,

      An interesting suggestion, although Valberta might be an easier name to use and remember. It’s certainly given me something for me to think about.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  19. Replies
    1. Khusru,

      An interesting suggestion. Thanks for making it.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  20. BOB,

    Perhaps this: 'Pax Avalon'.

    Cheers. KEV.

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    Replies
    1. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      Thanks for your very interesting contribution. Avalon certainly has a mythical quality to it … and makes it a nice alternative to the front runner, Albion.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  21. I second Avalon, or as a modification: Avalonia. At one time, just a mere 480 million years ago, there was what is referred to as a micro continent that was named Avalonia. It smashed into other continents to help form what is now northern Appalachia, New Foundland, and the parts of the British Isles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chris,

      Thanks for both your ‘vote’ and the background information about Avalonia. You’ve certainly pushed Avalon up the list of possibles.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  22. Hi Bob, personally, I like 'Avalon', not least because of the almost 'mythical' style as you say. I have been working on my own 'imaginations' concepts (to use across a number of wargaming 'eras'), at least partially inspired by your posts on the same subject. Ironically given some of your comments in this post, one of my 'imaginations' is the Confederation of Pritannia, made up of the cantons of Anglia, Scotia and Hibernia....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ian Dury,

      Thanks for your ‘vote’ for Avalon … which seems to have quite a bit of support.

      I like your choice of Pritannia, Anglia, Scotia, and Hibernia for your imagi-nation … and I will try to avoid using them!

      All the best,

      Bob

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  23. late entry into naming stakes: Britonnia; and Greater Britonnia; inhabited by Britonnians; subjects of Their Majestic Majesty, (TMM for short); founder tribes: Britonns, Celyns, Erins and Cinn Péinteáilte. (I can see why imagi-nations catches on! Its quite fun.) Carl of Elmetland

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    Replies
    1. Carl (Carl of Elmetland),

      Thanks for your suggestion. I had to look up Cinn Péinteáilte (Painted Ones) as my Irish Gaelic is almost non-existant!

      Pob hwyl (as I believe they say in Elmetland),

      Bob

      Delete

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