November Mess

The November Mess, 2001 Mess, or Ely-Cambridge War was an event in November 2001 that resulted in the formation of the kingdoms of Essex and Suffolk.

The Mess started with a border dispute between Ely and Cambridge. The disputed region was located in the largely uncontrolled east parts of the nations. The United States of London agreed to arbitrate, but due to problems with the telephone system the message never reached the belligerents. Both sides mobilized their armies, and several clashes occured. Soon, a popular uprising for independence was gathering strength in the east. The conclusion of the mess was the Treaty of Sutton, where Essex and Suffolk were granted independence. The treaty is often considered by Ely and Cambridge residents to be the result of a bribe; the queen of Essex, Elizabeth I, was assassinated by an angry Cambridge resident in November 2002, exactly a year after the signing of the Treaty of Sutton.