Franks: I'd have to think that if Charlemagne didn't split his kingdom in 3, France would be the bulk of western/central Europe speaking a French that would sound more like Dutch today. Although through time I'd imagine southern France would likely have split away at some point speaking a latin dialect from say Marseille. But I can easily picture Frankia consisting of Northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. I would generally think that due to language similarities the royal family would be less inclined to speak proto French and the Gauls under the Franks control would be more inclined to learn the language of the Franks.
Spain: Tough one to say. I think under a unified Visagoth Kingdom, they would've had a much better chance of defending themselves against the various caliphs that conquered the Iberian Peninsula. Perhaps they would've conquered the latinized portion of southern France. I tend to think that the language of Spain would relatively be the same. Or perhaps the caliph occupation forced the Visagagoths to assimilate into the local population of the peninsula.
Italy: I'm not sure what a unified Lombard kingdom would've accomplished. They're the Germanic group I truly know the least about.
Disclosure, I wasn't exactly sure of which forum to post this in.
(03-08-2022 09:09 PM)ClairtonPanther Wrote: [ -> ]Franks: I'd have to think that if Charlemagne didn't split his kingdom in 3, France would be the bulk of western/central Europe speaking a French that would sound more like Dutch today. Although through time I'd imagine southern France would likely have split away at some point speaking a latin dialect from say Marseille. But I can easily picture Frankia consisting of Northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. I would generally think that due to language similarities the royal family would be less inclined to speak proto French and the Gauls under the Franks control would be more inclined to learn the language of the Franks.
Spain: Tough one to say. I think under a unified Visagoth Kingdom, they would've had a much better chance of defending themselves against the various caliphs that conquered the Iberian Peninsula. Perhaps they would've conquered the latinized portion of southern France. I tend to think that the language of Spain would relatively be the same. Or perhaps the caliph occupation forced the Visagagoths to assimilate into the local population of the peninsula.
Italy: I'm not sure what a unified Lombard kingdom would've accomplished. They're the Germanic group I truly know the least about.
Disclosure, I wasn't exactly sure of which forum to post this in.
Are you reflecting about how this could have influenced Western Christianity (and its greater or lesser influence on society as a result) due to Charlemagne's being the Bishop of Rome? Or are you contemplating how the world might be different culturally today in general apart from the religious implications? Or, is there some different purpose you're thinking about!
Regardless, I agree this type of "what if" scenario is an interesting rabbit hole to venture into. And I'm sure things would have developed much differently regarding our current European world (and undoubtedly America as a product of it).
But who knows what other "what if" issues might have changed the course of this other "what if" event, so that it would or wouldn't have played out as you contemplate?
For example, how might this change have influenced differently when and how forcefully the Turks might've chosen to wield their might against? If it would have been directed westward instead of eastward, the we can also speculate about how Constantinople might've become a much more dominant influence in how society and world affairs have turned out today.
To me (and this is not meant to sound negative--just looking at it with what I consider to be pragmatism), this is sort of like speculating about multiverses. Interesting to think about but for/to what purpose?
I'm more looking at it from a geopolitical aspect and the butterfly effect that stems from it. I'd say the purpose is to debate something where there truly isn't a wrong answer, just due to the butterfly effect alone.
A strong/united Frankia probably conquers the Danes and Nords well before the set off on Viking adventures. But a more unfied Frankia/Germania could also mean it becomes isolationist and doesn't develop as fast in our timeline.
Tons of what ifs a d that to me would be the purpose. Just to have fun with the political and cultural ramifications.