God is a Frenchman
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Anaxagoras
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1850:
Rioting continues to spread throughout France, and King Henri begins ordering French garrisons in Germany to return to the home country in order to maintain civil order. Spain continues to be stable and staunch in support of Henri.
Those neighborhoods of Paris which had been known as the “Free Areas” during the disturbances of the 1830s have remained hotbeds of anti-Henri activity. Citizens there set up barricades and refuse entry to regular troops. In a similar manner, various cities throughout France declare themselves outside of Henri’s authority.
The city of Dunkirk in the hands of former exiles of the FRU), issues a proclamation stating that Henri is not the King of France but only the King of Spain. Basing their logic on the Treaty of Utrecht, they declare that Henri has, in fact, never legally ruled France. Furthermore, they declare Henri a murderer, implicating him in the death of his father in 1836.
This begs the question: if Henri is not the King of France, who is? The FRU has an answer to this. In 1836, aside from Henri, the nearest blood relative to King Louis had been the mentally-retarded Duke of Orleans. Technically speaking, the FRU claims that the Duke of Orleans has been the King of France since 1836. In the interim, however, the Duke had died (murdered by the FRU, some said), and his title passed to his cousin, Charles, the new Duke of Orleans. Therefore, say the FRU, Charles, Duke of Orleans, is the King of France.
This came as quite a shock to the quiet and unassuming Duke, who had been living peacefully on a Bordeaux chateau, indulging in his love of wine. Henri immediately dispatched troops to Bordeaux to take Charles into custody, but the FRU was faster and spirited him out of the country. Whether through coercion or persuasion, the FRU convinced Charles to issue a communiqué from London, declaring himself King of France and calling on the people to resist Henri. He also calls for an implementation of the 1836 reforms which Louis had been planning when he died.
It is all convoluted and confused, but it has the thin veneer of legality. Russia immediately recognizes Andre as King of France, while other European nations hesitate. With French troops withdrawn from Germany into France, Russia mobilizes its forces and prepares to invade Poland.
1851:
Loyalist French and Spanish troops storm Dunkirk, which had become a center of the Revolutionary forces. In a bloody battle, the city is taken, but not before thousands of Loyalist troops are slaughtered in front of the city’s defenses. All over France, troops returning from Germany and Italy are busy suppressing the rebellion, while an increasing number of Spanish troops are becoming involved as well.
However, on the march from Germany and Italy, many regiments mutiny and refuse to continue. They are quickly surrounded and disarmed, but not before a few shooting incidents take place, involving many deaths. Henri begins to wonder about the loyalty of his army.
After Dunkirk, the next Loyalist target is Brest, which had raised the standard of King Charles. Before the storming of the city can commence, however, shocking news reaches the Loyalist camp. Marshal Epstein has arrived in Brest, along with a crack force of 3,000 French Colonial troops, declaring his support for King Charles and pledging his support for the Revolutionary cause. Shortly thereafter, the Revolutionary garrison of Brest emerges and inflicts a heavy defeat on the Loyalist force facing them, many of whose soldiers desert. Within weeks, most of Brittany is in Revolutionary hands.
The news that France’s greatest war hero has become a Revolutionary sends a shockwave throughout Europe. But almost as significant is the news that Russia has invaded Poland, determined to restore it to the Russian Empire. Henri seethes with rage and swears revenge, but is wise enough to know that he cannot tangle with Russia while he is fighting for his life in France.
With Epstein having gone over to the Revolutionary cause, the equation begins to change. In New France, the commander of colonial forces declares his allegiance to King Charles and orders his men to arrest the Loyalist Governor-General. Within weeks, Quebec is in Revolutionary hands, while the troops in New Orleans and St. Louis remain loyal to Henri. In New Spain, too, support for Henri remains strong. There is, however, no actual fighting between the factions in North America. At least, not yet.
Despite the increasing pressure, Henri remains determined to salvage the situation. Regiments of lukewarm loyalty are stripped of many of their weapons and assigned to garrison duty in quiet areas, whereas openly mutinous units are disarmed and disbanded, the ringleaders arrested. New regiments are formed out of men of proven loyalty, being christened the “Immortals” in emulation of ancient Persia. It is with these units, French and Spanish, that Henri will wage the battle.
Rioting continues to spread throughout France, and King Henri begins ordering French garrisons in Germany to return to the home country in order to maintain civil order. Spain continues to be stable and staunch in support of Henri.
Those neighborhoods of Paris which had been known as the “Free Areas” during the disturbances of the 1830s have remained hotbeds of anti-Henri activity. Citizens there set up barricades and refuse entry to regular troops. In a similar manner, various cities throughout France declare themselves outside of Henri’s authority.
The city of Dunkirk in the hands of former exiles of the FRU), issues a proclamation stating that Henri is not the King of France but only the King of Spain. Basing their logic on the Treaty of Utrecht, they declare that Henri has, in fact, never legally ruled France. Furthermore, they declare Henri a murderer, implicating him in the death of his father in 1836.
This begs the question: if Henri is not the King of France, who is? The FRU has an answer to this. In 1836, aside from Henri, the nearest blood relative to King Louis had been the mentally-retarded Duke of Orleans. Technically speaking, the FRU claims that the Duke of Orleans has been the King of France since 1836. In the interim, however, the Duke had died (murdered by the FRU, some said), and his title passed to his cousin, Charles, the new Duke of Orleans. Therefore, say the FRU, Charles, Duke of Orleans, is the King of France.
This came as quite a shock to the quiet and unassuming Duke, who had been living peacefully on a Bordeaux chateau, indulging in his love of wine. Henri immediately dispatched troops to Bordeaux to take Charles into custody, but the FRU was faster and spirited him out of the country. Whether through coercion or persuasion, the FRU convinced Charles to issue a communiqué from London, declaring himself King of France and calling on the people to resist Henri. He also calls for an implementation of the 1836 reforms which Louis had been planning when he died.
It is all convoluted and confused, but it has the thin veneer of legality. Russia immediately recognizes Andre as King of France, while other European nations hesitate. With French troops withdrawn from Germany into France, Russia mobilizes its forces and prepares to invade Poland.
1851:
Loyalist French and Spanish troops storm Dunkirk, which had become a center of the Revolutionary forces. In a bloody battle, the city is taken, but not before thousands of Loyalist troops are slaughtered in front of the city’s defenses. All over France, troops returning from Germany and Italy are busy suppressing the rebellion, while an increasing number of Spanish troops are becoming involved as well.
However, on the march from Germany and Italy, many regiments mutiny and refuse to continue. They are quickly surrounded and disarmed, but not before a few shooting incidents take place, involving many deaths. Henri begins to wonder about the loyalty of his army.
After Dunkirk, the next Loyalist target is Brest, which had raised the standard of King Charles. Before the storming of the city can commence, however, shocking news reaches the Loyalist camp. Marshal Epstein has arrived in Brest, along with a crack force of 3,000 French Colonial troops, declaring his support for King Charles and pledging his support for the Revolutionary cause. Shortly thereafter, the Revolutionary garrison of Brest emerges and inflicts a heavy defeat on the Loyalist force facing them, many of whose soldiers desert. Within weeks, most of Brittany is in Revolutionary hands.
The news that France’s greatest war hero has become a Revolutionary sends a shockwave throughout Europe. But almost as significant is the news that Russia has invaded Poland, determined to restore it to the Russian Empire. Henri seethes with rage and swears revenge, but is wise enough to know that he cannot tangle with Russia while he is fighting for his life in France.
With Epstein having gone over to the Revolutionary cause, the equation begins to change. In New France, the commander of colonial forces declares his allegiance to King Charles and orders his men to arrest the Loyalist Governor-General. Within weeks, Quebec is in Revolutionary hands, while the troops in New Orleans and St. Louis remain loyal to Henri. In New Spain, too, support for Henri remains strong. There is, however, no actual fighting between the factions in North America. At least, not yet.
Despite the increasing pressure, Henri remains determined to salvage the situation. Regiments of lukewarm loyalty are stripped of many of their weapons and assigned to garrison duty in quiet areas, whereas openly mutinous units are disarmed and disbanded, the ringleaders arrested. New regiments are formed out of men of proven loyalty, being christened the “Immortals” in emulation of ancient Persia. It is with these units, French and Spanish, that Henri will wage the battle.
Anaxagoras
Banned
1852:
With Brittany in Revolutionary hands, the FRU organizes a basic government to oversee civil affairs. King Charles is installed in Brest and Marshal Epstein is confirmed as the commander of Revolutionary military forces.
In March, Henri launches a general offensive against Brittany with Immortal regiments and Spanish troops. The Revolutionary forces are outnumbered and suffer some tactical defeats, but maintain their general hold on the region.
In a major coup for the Revolutionaries, the senior Admiral of the French Navy declares for King Charles and sails with a large flotilla to Brest. This breaks the Loyalist blockade of Revolutionary controlled ports, and ensures communication and supplies between Brittany and Quebec.
The Free Areas of Paris remain clear of Loyalist forces. So long as they do not openly declare for the Revolution, Henri is content to leave them be. However, this allows a steady stream of anti-Henri propaganda to emerge from the area, filtering throughout Paris and gradually seeping throughout the rest of France.
In a wide-ranging pamphlet entitled “The Saint-Nazaire Manifesto” (issued from the city, which was in Revolutionary hands), the Revolutionaries declare their stated goal of removing Henri from the throne of France, replacing him with Charles, instituting the 1836 reforms and thus bringing parliamentary government to France.
In Poland, the Russian army sweeps all before it and soon are in control of the country once again. Warsaw capitulates on April 17, but scattered guerrilla opposition continues. Austria views Russian moves into Poland with concern, especially considered the power of the Russian army vis-à-vis the Austrian army.
In Vietnam, China takes advantage of the departure of large number of French troops (who had gone with Epstein to fight for the Revolutionaries) to retake much of the northern part of the country.
With Brittany in Revolutionary hands, the FRU organizes a basic government to oversee civil affairs. King Charles is installed in Brest and Marshal Epstein is confirmed as the commander of Revolutionary military forces.
In March, Henri launches a general offensive against Brittany with Immortal regiments and Spanish troops. The Revolutionary forces are outnumbered and suffer some tactical defeats, but maintain their general hold on the region.
In a major coup for the Revolutionaries, the senior Admiral of the French Navy declares for King Charles and sails with a large flotilla to Brest. This breaks the Loyalist blockade of Revolutionary controlled ports, and ensures communication and supplies between Brittany and Quebec.
The Free Areas of Paris remain clear of Loyalist forces. So long as they do not openly declare for the Revolution, Henri is content to leave them be. However, this allows a steady stream of anti-Henri propaganda to emerge from the area, filtering throughout Paris and gradually seeping throughout the rest of France.
In a wide-ranging pamphlet entitled “The Saint-Nazaire Manifesto” (issued from the city, which was in Revolutionary hands), the Revolutionaries declare their stated goal of removing Henri from the throne of France, replacing him with Charles, instituting the 1836 reforms and thus bringing parliamentary government to France.
In Poland, the Russian army sweeps all before it and soon are in control of the country once again. Warsaw capitulates on April 17, but scattered guerrilla opposition continues. Austria views Russian moves into Poland with concern, especially considered the power of the Russian army vis-à-vis the Austrian army.
In Vietnam, China takes advantage of the departure of large number of French troops (who had gone with Epstein to fight for the Revolutionaries) to retake much of the northern part of the country.
Hey I have a thread (In the feedback forum), I could make a map for this TL, just PM the borders.
Oh, and I just read this TL from the begining
And I must say one thing: Holyycrapomfglolfrance!It means what Superdude said-- France isn't going out and conquering the whole world with relative ease. Its having problems, growing pangs, issues to be settled, etc.
Anaxagoras
Banned
Yeah, well, I've always thought too many timelines are unrealistic and give far too much luck to certain countries. God may be a Frenchman ITTL, but realism is the most important thing, IMHO.
Anaxagoras
Banned
Sorry for the lack of posts. New job keeps me away from the computer most of the day. Once I adjust, my two timelines will get going again.
Although thanks for the update and this is awesome news your timelines being among my favourites… Two timelines?!? Which one did you drop? Last time I checked you had this one, Ruled Britannia, and an interesting looking South wins Civil War one going on.
Ah well, any which way knowing you're going to continue is good news.
Oh, and whatever happened to Gibraltar still needs to be retconned as per my previous post in this thread.
Ah well, any which way knowing you're going to continue is good news.
Oh, and whatever happened to Gibraltar still needs to be retconned as per my previous post in this thread.
Anaxagoras
Banned
Thanks. Maybe one day I'll finish it. In the meantime, if anyone has any suggestions as to where it should go from here, please feel free to share them.
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