Which European nation has the biggest chance to take over all of Europe before or during the rise of Nationalism (1100 - 1900)?
I take it we cant have the Carolingian Empire continue? With Charles (the Fat) III having a child before his death in 888, meaning the areas covering France, Germany and Northern Italy (Roughly 1,112,000 km2) with a population of between 10 and 20 million people continues to grow?
How will they assimilate the conquered populace?
The Carolingian expansion, I could see conquering similar to William I of England, sending an army into small kingdoms where there is dispute and claiming the crown for itself.
How powerful will they be in the Industrial Revolution and beyond?
Like any large nation, prominently Russia, you may find small places within the Empire which is more advanced and powerful, with the larger population being less advanced. Especially if every one is working for the whole nation rather then their individual region.
Will they be satisfied with their conquest or will they move on to northern Africa, Russia, the Middle East or simply colonize America?
If they have already gone into the Iberian Peninsula, then I believe they would have to conquer the lands South of the Strait of Gibraltar.
They would most likely try and conquest the Middle East, with Europe being a prominent Christian society and the Middle East being recognised as the birthplace of Christianity.
It may try and invade Russia, but like all nations and leaders that have tried before, I doubt this army would have any success.
America is always a given due to its unclaimed land and natural resources.
For fun and the sake of imagination, what kind of flag or insignia will they have? (show a picture if you can)
I would based their flag on the one
Oren_neu_dag suggested, #
131, for a capetian dynast as holy roman emperor