During the Imperial Period, The Jirran Freeholds were nominally Acheran provinces, though, so long as tribute was paid, they were left largely to their own devices. As the empire declined, the freeholds began to assert themselves once again.

A large-scale trade embargo, enforced by privateers patrolling the waters, won the freeholds their independence once again. These actions, known as the " Pirate Wars ", represented the first concerted military action taken by the Freeholders and the participants became the predecessor to the modern marine militia that patrols these waters today.