Imperium

Ever since a certain flag challenge I've been doing a little thinking on how the something like Keith Laumer's Imperium could come about.

- Margaret the Maid is born Magnus and becomes King of Scotland, later becoming King of Norway from his father Eric; tho some scuffles with his uncle Haakon occur
- with Magnus about to have 2 crowns, Edward I of England gets himself a crown for Ireland (he's not about to be "outkinged" by an upstart Norwegian ;))
- Denmark unifies with Sweden - this is a much more equal partnership as the Danes lack Norwegian support
- The Dano-Swedish Union of Malmoe solidifies Northern Germany and the Baltics under their rule during the Reformation as a Protestant Holy Roman Empire
- Norway breaks from Scotland (Malmoe support? or annexation?) leaving Iceland and the co-rule of the Isles to Scotland
- Scotland-Iceland comes into union with England-Ireland

Things get fuzzy here but we could see a personal union between the 2 empires perhaps in reaction to some Mediterranion Catholic Alliance that solidifies into confederation
 
Some thoughts on early arms and flags re this idea.

Edward would probably take as his Royal Arms of Ireland a modification of the Royal English Arms - this will be 3 golden leopards on blue.
While the joint arms may be quartered I get the impression the most common representations will be either sidebyside or 3 golden leopards over blue&red quarters.
Flagwise the St George Cross is still likely for England. It may be used for both Kingdoms. Perhaps Ireland adopts a blue cross? in St George style or saltire?

Scotland-Norway would quarter the arms as expected though later kings may decided to add a crown for the Isles and add those as a third of the arms. What would these be?
With Norwegian "independence" I'd think Norway's place would be replaced by Iceland if it gains a crown or the Isles.
Flagwise the Scots already use a white saltire on blue. I can see Norway adopting a gold saltire on red. But in combination perhaps a red saltire on white saltire on blue.

For Denmark-Sweden I see arms quartered and adapted as they expand in Northern Europe.
Flagwise Denmark already has its white cross on red. I could see a blue cross added to signify the union - essentially the current Norwegian flag :D - and the blue cross on white signifies Sweden.
Both flags will likely "nordify" as the fad for flag tails ensures.

Your thoughts?
 
Top