France

The Kingdom of France is a kingdom in Western Europe, currently one of the most powerful states in all history since the hundred-year war, rivalled only by the evergrowing Spanish Empire, whom they recently lost a war too after they tried to seize power in the Italian states. Despite this, the French still have its eyes on Italy, having mustered a great army that can lay waste to any aggressor that dares to challenge the rule of France.

History

France originated as West Francia, the western half of the Carolingian Empire, with the Treaty of Verdun. A branch of the Carolingian dynasty continued to rule until 987 when Hugh Capet was elected king and founded the Capetian dynasty. The territory remained known as Francia and its ruler as rex Francorum ("king of the Franks") well into the High Middle Ages. The first king calling himself Roi de France ("King of France") was Philip II, in 1190.

Military

The first permanent army, paid with regular wages, instead of feudal levies, was established under Charles VII in the 1420–30s. The Kings of France needed reliable troops during and after the Hundred Years' War. Currently, the most well-known unit was the Gendarme Cavalry, an army of well-trained knights in service to the current King of France, Francis I, stationed throughout France and summoned into larger armies as needed, acting as the main power of the French army.