History (1768-1850)
From Iscoun
Contents |
Discovery
Iscoun was discovered by Captain James Cook during his first voyage on March 5, 1768. Upon his return to Britain he reported the discovery of Iscoun to King George III where he is noted as claiming "the land looks fertile but lacks human life". It was agreed that at the time that Iscoun would not be settled as the British were more interested in setting up colonies on Terra Australis.
Settlement
With new colonies in the Pacific, on August 18, 1815 King George III called upon General Michael Swanston to govern a small settlement in southern Iscoun. Swanston reluctantly accepted the post on the condition that the King allow a mix of both free settlers and convicts. Swanston first arrived on Iscoun on November 27, 1815 and declared the colony of Georgeland for the King. The first town to be built would be Charlotte (named after the King's consort) at the mouth of the Huntsdale River. Charlotte today serves as the capital of the state of Georgeland.
In 1819, Gold was discovered in the Swanston River. Another settlement was established on Weekes Creek just North of the first Gold discovered on Iscoun. The settlement was named Prosperia and became a major city supporting prospectors in the region.
Portuguese settlement
After hearing of the United Kingdom's settlement on Iscoun in 1826 Portugal's Queen Maria II had Alberto Barrios establish a settelement on the Western portion of the island. The state now known as Wemberley was named Braganza after the Queen's dynasty. A settlement was established at São Cristóvão which was named after the birthplace of the Queen (changed to St Christopher by the English). The settlers arrived on June 18, 1826.
At the order of King Miguel in 1830, settlements were established at Migueles (now Michaelstown) and Metternich after the King's close friend.
In honour of the Queen's marriage to Auguste de Beauharnais in 1835, Beauharnais (Beaumont) was established.
Migueles became Michaelstown when the English took over Wemberley (after Miguel, King of Portugal 1828-1834)
New Settlements
Wemberley and Montdale in 1835, Bruswick named for King George IV's consort Caroline of Brunswick and St James for the birthplace of the King.
Prosperia and Chinlest in 1849 (splitting Georgesland vertically)
Nomenclature
River Duoro for the river running through Portugal and Spain Octavia for Octavius for George III's 13th child.
Vansittart for Nicholas Vansittart, Prime Minister of the UK from 1812 to 1823 during both George III and George IV's reign. Bexley for Vansittart being the 1st Baron of Bexley.
Coburg Sea after Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (second husband of Queen Maria II)
Xavier River after the partial family name of the royal family.
Calder River was known as the Calhairz River (named after the first Prime Minister of Portugal's family title)
Golden Ranges for the discovery of gold in the state.
