After the sacking of Rome, the Emperor decides to reverse his decision to abandon Britain. He flees to Londinium, brings the army with him, and within twenty years his troops have driven the barbarians away, conquered the east coast of Ireland and built forts there. He intends to conquer the entire island of Eire, defeat the Celts and stop piracy in its nest. He is pushing gradually north as well, back up towards the Antonine Wall, with the intention of pacifying Caledonia. Having done so, and secured his own home against attack as best he can, he or subsequent emperors will turn their attention to the reconquest of Europe, which is gradually falling under barbarian rule.
So it's possible that the Hundred Years War could begin in the early 5th Century, as Rome rebuilds its empire in Europe. Alternately, Roman power is re-established in western France and north-western Spain. The ultimate intention is to win back at least the western half of the empire, and with luck, reconquer Italy. It depends how successful they are against the Goths, who have taken over the Italian peninsula.
The eastern part of the old Empire is a write-off; the Greeks now control it, with their capital at Constantinople. However, the Emperor of the Eastern Romans (as he calls himself) is also determined to reconquer Italy; so maybe the east and west will meet--probably in competition over the remnants of Gothic Italy.
Assuming that Gothic Italy survives, it could be a useful buffer state between eastern and western Roman Empire...
So it's possible that the Hundred Years War could begin in the early 5th Century, as Rome rebuilds its empire in Europe. Alternately, Roman power is re-established in western France and north-western Spain. The ultimate intention is to win back at least the western half of the empire, and with luck, reconquer Italy. It depends how successful they are against the Goths, who have taken over the Italian peninsula.
The eastern part of the old Empire is a write-off; the Greeks now control it, with their capital at Constantinople. However, the Emperor of the Eastern Romans (as he calls himself) is also determined to reconquer Italy; so maybe the east and west will meet--probably in competition over the remnants of Gothic Italy.
Assuming that Gothic Italy survives, it could be a useful buffer state between eastern and western Roman Empire...
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