The Cedarwood Revolt
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Though no official name exists for this event, it is generally deemed the Revolt, or more specifically the Cedarwood Revolt. It centred upon the hamlet of Cedarwood in the south of Yew, from whence bands of rebels launched a guerrilla campaign against the Guardsmen Militia. It began with the burning of alleged wytch Mary O'Gara, a Celtic wisewoman and herbalist. Her death sparked accusations of oppression by a Celtic fringe group. The situation evolved from a small and rowdy mob to a brutal guerilla war remarkably quickly. It saw numerous skirmishes, with Vesperian aid given to the rebels on many an occasion. The most successful point of the campaign came with the declaration of a so-called Free Yew in the far north of the town. Contrary to rebel claims, Britannian support came from almost entirely external forces, with the vast bulk of their fighters being of purely Celtic stock. A prime reason for this might be the hostility shown by the rebels towards the Church, culminating with the execution of a much loved Monk, Friar Oswald - a severe propaganda hit in the deeply religious town. The revolt was eventually crushed, climaxing with the expulsion of the Free Yew Volunteers from Cedarwood by Klion D'Gar and a heavy contingent of elite Guardsmen. Revolt leader Hedlyn ap Rhyn escaped the battle with a bedraggled band of survivors.
Consequences
The consequences of the Revolt were from the start far reaching. Vesperian military spending increased, with a boost in martial prowess being the common line in almost every Baronial candidate's campaign during the election season. It saw the complete deteriation of Covian-Yewish relations. Prior to and during the revolt Cove was bound in an uneasy alliance with Yew. Despite this, Covian support for the Militia failed to materialise, with some reports even suggesting a minor Covian presence amidst the rebels of Cedarwood. This lead the Militia to march upon Cove, with the initial intention of simply intimidating the Barony. Contrary to orders, fighting broke out, resulting ultimately in bloodshed and the capture of Covian officers. Existing hostilities between Yew and Trinsic also flared, with the rebels openly permitted to recruit outside the walled city. Support for the Revolt came from all corners of the continent for a variety of reasons, further fuelling the bitter, hostile, and isolationist sentiments of Yewish citizenry.
Re-emergance
The Celtic rebels made their presence known once again some months after the conquest of Cedarwood. They relaunched their campaign in Yew with spectacular fashion, undermining the Marksmen's Tower, reducing it to a crater of rubble and smoke. Attacks and kidnappings resumed, though less common than previously. Not long after these events, the Northlands Declaration was made by supposed "representatives" of disgruntled commoners and minorities, not just in Yew, but across the Northern reaches of Sosaria.
