http://i.imgur.com/6HvXZQS.jpg

1. Martel - capital city

2. The King's Estate at Herstal, including Castle Tourn

3. First Church of the Goddess

4. Trevithic Castle, Monceau

BRIEF HISTORY

Francia is the oldest kingdom in Meringia, the first to claim a royal house. The royal line of the House of Tournai has been unbroken through five centuries, giving rise to the claim of being the noblest of all the Houses in Meringia itself. During the first two centuries of the kingdom's existence, war was waged to establish the boundaries of the land, which have never changed in all that time. During the period covering the next two hundred and fifty years, Francia worked to aid other lands and royal houses to establish their own boundaries, aiding in the creation of Pomerania, Alanic, Kediri, Pasai, and Edessa. Pomerania's expansion was only checked by the refusal of Francia to lend further men to its armies, and the Treaty of the Pomerania Empire was signed, making the then king of Pomerania High King of the allied lands of Pomerania, Francia, Alanic, Carantania, Epirus, Cicilia, and Edessa. Francia did not, at that time, have the strength to resist this Treaty, due to recurring outbreaks of plague. In the reign of King Christian's grandfather, the kingdom's strength had returned, and Francia gained independence once again, re-establishing its place as the oldest and noblest of the countries in Meringia.

During the last century, the Renaissance began within the country of Alanic, spreading swiftly to Francia, where visiting courtiers reintroduced artistic, education, and scholarly debate into the noble houses. The land has always been dedicated to the Goddess and her Church, being the first stronghold of the Dalai and his court. Francia was also instrumental in the establishing of a city state purely ruled by the Church, though objections were raised at its placement deep within Pomerania territory. Francia maintains a small navy, which has been used to both wage war and peace by means of delivering brides to the various courts of allied lands by sea.

REGIONS

Trannoc - western-most region, bordered by Coimbra and Kediri. Despite being constantly harried by incursions from Coimbra, this region produces the finest beef, possessed of large tracts of good grazing land. The duchies of Lonnare, Gheran, and Faleith are contained therein.

Banstede - largest region within Francia, it holds the lion's share of the coastline, and maintains both the capital city of Martel and the king's country estate at Herstal. Great forests are cultivated here, with plenty of game for hunting, including boar, deer, and grouse. The duchies of Monceau, Tarrantae, Loslan, Ringmor, and Withnyr are contained therein.

Eddinsfaire - holds part of the border with Alanic, as well as the remaining stretch of coastline. Eddinsfaire is responsible for the fishing industry, farming the seas rather than the land. The duchies of Kilnarok and Pharaskarn are contained therein, providing the greatest share of naval might.

Lanmeath - holds the remaining border with Alanic, as well as the border with Pomerania. Lanmeath is the resting place of the first Church of the Goddess, and as such is a center of pilgrimage and learning. The duchy of Cambric is contained therein, but the majority of the land belongs to the Church and is maintained by the current Chancellor.

RELIGION

Francia adheres strictly to the Church of the Goddess (Catholic Church), being the founding place of the Church itself. It is, however, tolerant of religious debate, provided blasphemy and heresy are not openly displayed in practice. King Christian's father, Ethelric, passed a law condemning any heretic or devotee of the so-called "New Church" of the Goddess to death by fire, and it has been zealously upheld. However, ideas from the New Church's ally of Coimbra often filter over the border, and have been gaining more credence slowly but surely.