France

Overview
At present, France is a concept rather than a country. From his throne in Paris, King Louis VII of the House of Capet does not rule over a Kingdom, so much as a loose patchwork of autonomous duchies and counties which owe him only a nominal homage as their liege lord. By rights the great nobles of France are his vassals, sworn to serve him, but in truth the majority are Kings in their own domains, doing as they please, passing their own laws and pursuing their own agendas.

Of the realm known as "France" only a tiny fraction of it's territory - centred chiefly on the Ile de France - is directly ruled by the King of the Franks. To the north, Normandy and Blois are held by the King of England; to the south and west, the Angevins control well over half of the country - Anjou, Maine, and the vast inheritance of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Only a fool would underestimate Louis, however. Even if the Royal demesne is small, he is still the rightful and lawful liege lord of all those who hold lands within the bounds of his realm - including the King of England. He remains a staunch ally of the church, a key player in European affairs, and his reputation has been enhanced by his status as a Crusader.

Both the rival claimants to the English throne - Angevin and Blesevin alike - hold substantial territories in France. But the relationship between Louis and the Counts of Anjou is a rocky one; the young Henry Plantagenet's hasty marriage to Louis' ex-wife Eleanor of Aquitaine was a huge show of disrespect both to the King and accepted Feudal norms. But at the same time the new English King Eustace has yet to show any sign of paying homage to Louis for his French lands. If war were to break out once again between these two rival claimants, it could be a rare opportunity for the King of the Franks to strengthen his position...