The arms of Lunden bear a field of gold, charged with three red double-headed eagles arranged two above and one below. The eagles symbolize the island’s vigilance, martial tradition, and steadfast loyalty to the Church.
Lunden lies off the eastern coast of Steinau, a stony isle surrounded by the cold waters of Maria’s Bucht (Mary’s Bay). Its terrain is rugged, dominated by white limestone cliffs and rocky shores, with sparse woodland and windswept moors inland. Fishing villages cling to the coast, and ancient stone roads weave between fortresses and monastic sites.
Strategically vital and culturally distinct, Lunden has long stood as both a defensive bastion and a seat of ecclesiastical power. Its rich limestone resources gave rise to skilled stonemasonry, and its position at the mouth of Mary’s Bay made it an indispensable trade hub. The island served as a cultural crossroads between Anglo-Saxon settlers and Scottish exiles, shaping its resilient and martial identity.
Early Settlement and Anglo-Saxon Roots
First colonized in the 7th century by Anglo-Saxon explorers, Lunden quickly became prized for its natural resources, particularly its limestone quarries and fertile fishing grounds. The settlers built fortified villages and early churches from the island’s distinctive white stone, which was soon exported for construction across the kingdom.
Scottish Influence and the Wars of the Isles
The 11th and 12th centuries saw waves of Scottish mercenaries and refugees arriving during the wars with England. These newcomers brought with them martial tactics, architectural knowledge, and clan customs. Their legacy lives on in Lunden’s hybrid culture and the reinforced bastions that still defend Mary’s Bay.
The Rise of Preißelried and Archbishop Anselm
In the 14th century, bishop Anselm transformed Lunden into a stronghold of the Church. He established the fortress-monastery of Preißelried, built with Scottish-influenced designs and local stone. Under his leadership, Lunden became a center of religious scholarship, producing monks and priests who would shape ecclesiastical policy for generations.
The War of the Sceptre and the Cross
When the war between King Heinrich and the resenting nobility broke out, Lunden stood firmly with the latter. Unlike the Duchy of Freahburh, which remained loyal to the Crown, Lunden declared for the Bishop. It became a critical supply port and military staging ground. Troops from Lunden were instrumental in the fall of Freahburh and the infamous Sack of Buchtweiler Village, shifting the war’s momentum in favor of the Bucketheads.
The fortified monastery of Preißelried is both spiritual beacon and military bastion. Built atop the island’s central hill and overlooking the bay, it houses monks, scholars, and knights of the Church. Its stone towers and chapel domes symbolize the Church’s unshakable presence on Lunden.
Lundeners are hardy and devout, shaped by centuries of stonework, sea winds, and ecclesiastical rule. Festivals honor both saints and the sea, with coastal processions and blessings for fishermen. Monastic discipline and military service are respected callings, and family lineages often trace back to warriors or clergy. Clan-like structures persist, a holdover from the Scottish diaspora.
Lunden is a firm supporter of the Bucketheads in its conflict against the Crown. Its ruling figures are appointed by the clergy, and military command falls under the Archbishop’s jurisdiction. The island maintains its own militia of trained warriors. Political life is deeply intertwined with ecclesiastical hierarchy, and secular governance is minimal.
Though Lunden remains in firm control of the Bucketheads, it is not without tension. Some younger islanders question the dominance of the clergy, especially in the wake of the devastation visited upon Freahburh. Yet the elder generation remembers well the cost of defiance and the strength of faith. The island’s ports are watched closely, its roads patrolled by devout knights, and Preißelried’s bells still ring out over land and sea, an ever-present reminder of Lunden’s loyalty to stone and faith.