The UCS raises some issues if you are working in the Middle Ages or Early Modernity,
and need to distinguish between several Holy Roman member states.
It just doesn't help the observer on the map of, say, 1100, if everything is white, only the tiny "Northern March" - as the precedent of the later Prussian state - is coloured in a dark grey ...
Moreover, if it suffices to distinguish between "homeland" of the Emperor vs. remaining Empire, it is also not too intuitive to dye the Habsburg possession in purple, but the rest of the HRE in a completely dissimilar light grey. But the cure for this is obvious: Just use a lighter shade of the "homeland" colour (if there is one, see below).
Here are some suggestions for the selection of additional colours:
- Bavaria: assigning a colour to it makes sense from 555 to 1870 AD - or even until today (based on what you want to show
).
For simplicity, I consider it the best choice to use either the dusty-morning sky blue or the freshly sprouting-grass green Valdemar II has used on his wiki maps - perhaps a bit darker.
A slight variant of this colour can be used for Palatinate (at least while under Wittelsbach).
- The Imperial Church (i.e. the episcopal possessions in the rank of Imperial principalities).
Suggestion: A shade of the Papal State Colour. (even if hostile to each other ...)
- Saxony. This is slightly tricky, because the name and status was occupied by several states at different times.
The great Saxony before 1180 should get Germany's light grey, or even Prussia's dark grey , as it is the only dominant factor in Northern Germany. After 1180, this colour can be used for Brunsvik and its descendants, including the Electorate of Hannover. Back in the Middle Ages, another grey shade can be used for other possessions of the Swabian Welfs, in particular Tuscany.
The Wettin Saxon Electorate should get an own colour; with Valdemar (as above), this could be moss green. Shades can then get to their brother states (after the split into the Albertine and Ernestine branches in 1485). Consequently, Saxe-Lauenburg would best get a blend of grey and green, but now we're already touching the borders of sensible colouring ...
- Before 1208, Swabia should (and until 1313, can) be marked - I prefer a dark brown.
- After these dates, you might need Württemberg (suggestion: yellow) and/or Bade (2 shades after partioning).
- Between Reformation and 1870, it can by handy to highlight (at least one) Hessia - to me a light brown.
- Imperial Cities should be plain red (FF0000), as cities are on a map.
Those maps are done with my New Modern Colour Scheme, a UCS variant which gives colours to countries such as Argentina, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan etc.
Sounds interesting.
Where can we find it?
