Franzland
Franzland is the name of the first Imperial Colony of The Empire of Man, it was established by Emperor Folkmar I around the year 3050 AC. Franzland is located in modern day Estermark in Vlunia, and it is named after emperor Franz the Lawgiver.
Franzland is filled with grassland with a mountain in the center of the region, and a swamp to the south, this granted Franzland a natural barrier against threats not seaborn. The greatest threat to Franzland were ships sailing from Aedorica or especially the Bloodlands. This ships often loaded with violent blood thirsty warriors who wished to ravage Franzland's exposed coast. This would hold back the growth of Franzland for many centuries.
For most of Franzland's existence it was but a small nation involved in the region, but this would change, as during the reign of Emperor Sigismund the Colonizer that the colonial empire of The Empire of Man would reach it's greatest extent. The colony of Franzland under the rule of Sigismund would expand the territory to all of Estermark and beyond. Sigismund pushed for many Imperial people to move to Franzland, in order to grow it's power, and centuries later, Franzland would still maintain it's power that was gained during his reign.
For Franzland, it became a major nation in the region and self-reliant, but the Franzland people soon found themselves not needing the empire. The people of Franzland were content with staying in the empire, but desired a greater role within it, they aspired to become the highest standing a nation within the empire could acheive, an Imperial Province. Becoming a Imperial Province would mean that Franzland would have the power to elect an emperor, gain the privileges a Imperial Province would get, choose how they wish to run their own government, decide their own laws, and perhaps one day elect an emperor born and raised in Franzland. This was the highest honor they could obtain.
But this would never happened and instead, Franzland would free itself from The Empire of Man's yoke. This would be caused by the Emperor of Man at the time, Emperor Ludwig XII, although his reign was a mere two years and in the annuals of history, not worthy of being mentioned, he however would lose the Imperial Colony of Franzland during those two years. Franzland had requested the emperor to establish them as an Imperial Province for several years, and the emperor before Ludwig XII, was delaying his response to them for those years and before he could respond he died, leaving the decision to the newly crowned Ludwig XII. Ludwig had no respect for Franzland and saw them as a puny colony leeching off of the empire's greatness, and to grant them the title of Imperial Province and them being a ocean away would diminish the integrity of the other Imperial Provinces. Ludwig was also from Marienburg, a province of wealth and one that saw the most Franzland people. He saw them as dirty peasants that siphoned the wealth of him and his home. Ludwig wanted to ensure that their dream of Imperial Provincehood was a pipe dream. Soon after taking office, he relayed his response and it was would be seen as dismissive and condescending of the highest degree. The response is still framed in the halls of the nobles of Franzland, and it said the following:
The people of Franzland, who had been left unheard for decades, were ecstatic with excitement upon learning of the Emperor's response. Celebrations erupted across Franzland as the people believed that their dreams of becoming an Imperial Province were finally within reach. They thought there would be no reason to decline their request, the emperor responsed shortly after becoming emperor and for this haste in a response, for a moment, it seemed as if they were a priority and of great importance to the empire.
However, the contents of the letter arrived and soon turned their celebration into national outrage. Emperor Ludwig XII's words were a brutal dismissal of their history, lives, contributions, and everything they had worked for. He had essentially called them worthless, referring to them as parasites and stating that their dreams of becoming an Imperial Province would die in the water. He suggested they should be content with their place, reinforcing their perceived insignificance within the empire.
The two phrases that sparked the most fury were "but remember your place within our realm" and the signing off, "Emperor of Man Ludwig XII." The first phrase was a direct insult, implying that they were beneath all others in the empire. The second, signing off as "Emperor of Man," was considered the height of arrogance and hubris. It was an unspoken rule that no emperor should refer to himself in such a manner; only his subjects were allowed to bestow such a title upon him. This act of self-aggrandizement was frowned upon not only by the people of Franzland but also by other Imperials.
After this a war between the empire and Franzland quickly followed that lasted 2 years, Franzland was victorious and proclaimed their independence shortly after, and Ludwig XII was deposed soon later.
Franzland is now no more, as it broke apart into several smaller states that still rule in Estermark, each bearing the dream to one day restore Franzland.
Franzland is filled with grassland with a mountain in the center of the region, and a swamp to the south, this granted Franzland a natural barrier against threats not seaborn. The greatest threat to Franzland were ships sailing from Aedorica or especially the Bloodlands. This ships often loaded with violent blood thirsty warriors who wished to ravage Franzland's exposed coast. This would hold back the growth of Franzland for many centuries.
For most of Franzland's existence it was but a small nation involved in the region, but this would change, as during the reign of Emperor Sigismund the Colonizer that the colonial empire of The Empire of Man would reach it's greatest extent. The colony of Franzland under the rule of Sigismund would expand the territory to all of Estermark and beyond. Sigismund pushed for many Imperial people to move to Franzland, in order to grow it's power, and centuries later, Franzland would still maintain it's power that was gained during his reign.
For Franzland, it became a major nation in the region and self-reliant, but the Franzland people soon found themselves not needing the empire. The people of Franzland were content with staying in the empire, but desired a greater role within it, they aspired to become the highest standing a nation within the empire could acheive, an Imperial Province. Becoming a Imperial Province would mean that Franzland would have the power to elect an emperor, gain the privileges a Imperial Province would get, choose how they wish to run their own government, decide their own laws, and perhaps one day elect an emperor born and raised in Franzland. This was the highest honor they could obtain.
But this would never happened and instead, Franzland would free itself from The Empire of Man's yoke. This would be caused by the Emperor of Man at the time, Emperor Ludwig XII, although his reign was a mere two years and in the annuals of history, not worthy of being mentioned, he however would lose the Imperial Colony of Franzland during those two years. Franzland had requested the emperor to establish them as an Imperial Province for several years, and the emperor before Ludwig XII, was delaying his response to them for those years and before he could respond he died, leaving the decision to the newly crowned Ludwig XII. Ludwig had no respect for Franzland and saw them as a puny colony leeching off of the empire's greatness, and to grant them the title of Imperial Province and them being a ocean away would diminish the integrity of the other Imperial Provinces. Ludwig was also from Marienburg, a province of wealth and one that saw the most Franzland people. He saw them as dirty peasants that siphoned the wealth of him and his home. Ludwig wanted to ensure that their dream of Imperial Provincehood was a pipe dream. Soon after taking office, he relayed his response and it was would be seen as dismissive and condescending of the highest degree. The response is still framed in the halls of the nobles of Franzland, and it said the following:
"To the Inhabitants of Franzland,
It has come to my attention that you seek the esteemed title of Imperial Province, aspiring to elevate yourselves to a station reserved for the heartlands of our grand empire. While your ambitions are noted, it is imperative to remember the essence of what it means to be part of the Empire of Man. The Imperial Provinces are the lifeblood of our glorious empire, each one bearing the weight of history, culture, and contributions that have shaped our civilization into what it is today. They are bastions of strength, pillars of prosperity, and fortresses of tradition. Franzland, though industrious in its own right, is a distant outpost, far removed from the core of our imperial greatness. It is a land whose foundations were laid not by the nobility of spirit or the valor of heroes, but by those seeking refuge from their pasts, a place where the vestiges of civilization touch only lightly upon the wilderness. To bestow upon Franzland the venerable title of Imperial Province would be to dilute the essence of our noble empire. It would be to equate the efforts of our forefathers with the ventures of a colony still tethered to the cradle of imperial tutelage. It is essential for the integrity of our empire that the titles and honors bestowed reflect not merely ambition, but the true spirit and enduring legacy of our greatness. Your request, while fervent, must be denied. The Empire of Man thrives on the distinction of its heartlands, and it is this distinction that you must respect and honor. Continue to grow, prosper, and serve as a testament to the Empire's reach, but remember your place within our realm. With imperial authority, Emperor of Man Ludwig XII"
The people of Franzland, who had been left unheard for decades, were ecstatic with excitement upon learning of the Emperor's response. Celebrations erupted across Franzland as the people believed that their dreams of becoming an Imperial Province were finally within reach. They thought there would be no reason to decline their request, the emperor responsed shortly after becoming emperor and for this haste in a response, for a moment, it seemed as if they were a priority and of great importance to the empire.
However, the contents of the letter arrived and soon turned their celebration into national outrage. Emperor Ludwig XII's words were a brutal dismissal of their history, lives, contributions, and everything they had worked for. He had essentially called them worthless, referring to them as parasites and stating that their dreams of becoming an Imperial Province would die in the water. He suggested they should be content with their place, reinforcing their perceived insignificance within the empire.
The two phrases that sparked the most fury were "but remember your place within our realm" and the signing off, "Emperor of Man Ludwig XII." The first phrase was a direct insult, implying that they were beneath all others in the empire. The second, signing off as "Emperor of Man," was considered the height of arrogance and hubris. It was an unspoken rule that no emperor should refer to himself in such a manner; only his subjects were allowed to bestow such a title upon him. This act of self-aggrandizement was frowned upon not only by the people of Franzland but also by other Imperials.
After this a war between the empire and Franzland quickly followed that lasted 2 years, Franzland was victorious and proclaimed their independence shortly after, and Ludwig XII was deposed soon later.
Franzland is now no more, as it broke apart into several smaller states that still rule in Estermark, each bearing the dream to one day restore Franzland.
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