The Kingdom of France

Starting Resource: 38 -- From Land: 36 -- From Trade: 2 Capital Territory: Paris Nation Class: Medium Total Starting Military Infantry: 11 Cavalry: 3 Knights: 2 Artillery: 0 Generals: 1 Merchantmen: 1 Frigates: 1 Ships of the Line: 1

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The borders of modern France are roughly the same as those of ancient Gaul, which was inhabited by Celtic Gauls. Gaul was conquered by Julius Caesar in the 1st century BC. Christianity took root in the 2nd century and 3rd century AD, and became so firmly established by the fourth and fifth centuries that St. Jerome wrote that Gaul was the only region free from heresy. In the Middle Ages, the French would adopt this as a justification for calling themselves "the Most-Christian Kingdom of France". In the 4th century AD, Gaul's eastern frontier along the Rhine was overrun by Germanic tribes, principally the Franks, from whom the ancient name of "Francie" was derived. The modern name "France" derives from the name of the feudal domain of the Capetian Kings of France around Paris. Existence as a separate entity began with the Treaty of Verdun (843), with the division of Charlemagne's Carolingian empire into East Francia, Middle Francia and Western Francia. Western Francia approximated the area occupied by modern France. In 1337 a growing disupute over the succession of the French grown escalates into a war beteen England and France that last more than a hundred year and is now know as the Hundred Years War. Though France loses more than half its lands during the war, by the end of the war England is driven off the mainland once more and the French kingdom sees renewed strength and prestige. By 1483 the Hundred years war is just a couple generations old and war between England and France is again a real threat. France must also worry about the Holy Roman Empire on its eastern border and Spain on its southern one, both very viable threats. Visit the 1483 Discussion Forums to chat about France.