Rex Francorum

Rex Francorum or King of the Franks was a title bestowed to the Holy Roman Emperor along with the titles of Rex Romanorum (King of the Romans), Rex Britonum (King of the Britains during Frankish Rule in Britain), and Rex Italia (King of Italy). The title of Holy Roman Emperor was established with Charlemagne, who ruled over the vast carolingian empire. Charlemagne's son Louis, would go on to have two sons: Charles and Lothair, who would engage in a bitter civil war. Charles would suffer a series of defeats and lose control over Italy. Both would continue to claim the title of Holy Roman Emperor until Lothair, Louis's eldest son, would occupy Italy and the pope would declare him Emperor. This would lead to the signing of the treaty of Verdun, which would mark the end of the united carolingian empire. Lothair would become the holy roman emperor and rule over the carolingian possessions west of the rhine (France's natural borders, the Netherlands, and Italy) while Charles would rule as King of East Francia but would be recognized as independent from the Holy Roman Empire. The Carolingian Dynasty would rule the HRE until 899 with the death of Emperor Arnulph. After that the monarchy would become elective.

Differences From OTL

 * France becomes the Holy Roman Empire instead of Germany, which leads to the political fragmentation of France as opposed to Germany.
 * Germany becomes a solidified nation state in the middle ages.
 * The norman invasion of England never happens, but the Franks do invade England at some point in the middle ages.
 * The HRE eventually reasserts power over the Spanish march and intervenes in the reconquista.
 * Colonization of the New World Occurs differently.

804-1000

 * Louis the German, who would've been born around 804 OTL, dies on arrival. This affects the Treaty of Verdun in 843 as there are only two sons of Louis the Pious to divide the Frankish Empire between instead of three. This leads to middle francia never existing and the king of west francia being crowned holy roman emperor as opposed to the king of east francia. West Francia and Italy are called Lothairingia after their first emperor, Lothair.
 * In 855, Lothair I falls seriously ill and abdicates from the throne, giving the title of Emperor to his eldest son, Louis II. This lays the foundation for primogeniture in Lothairingian Empire.
 * In 899, the last Carolingian Holy Roman Emperor, Arnulph of Carinthia, dies in a battle against the East Franks in Bavaria. This leads to a period of instability in which the Pope gains more power in Italy and eventually the nobles elect Conrad I, Duke of Lombardy, as Emperor. Conrad's reign is troubled as he competes with other dukes for power. Conrad I in 876 and is succeeded by Henry the Fowler, King of Aquitane. Henry reestablishes dominance over the Spanish march and launches an invasion into Cordoba, capturing Zaragoza 935. Henry would die in battle and once again leave the HRE in a state of chaos once again, with Rollo, a powerful viking pirate, taking advantage of the situation and establishing himself as Duke of Normandy and later Holy Roman Emperor in 911. Rollo and his Norman Dynasty would rule until 1100.
 * In 894, the Hungarians begin establishing themselves in Central Europe. This is opposed by the Germans, who have suzerainty over the area as the march of Pannonia. The two forces clash in the battle of Pressburg, a German defeat. This would mark the end of Germany's suzerainty over Pannonia.

Pages Needing to Be Made
Treaty of Verdun (Rex Francorum)

Carolingian Civil War (Rex Francorum)

Holy Roman Empire (Rex Francorum)

Kingdom of Germany (Rex Francorum)