The German Rhineland Principalities
in 'Castle Falkenstein'.
Author's Notes
When I came to examine the three maps of New Europa contained in "Castle Falkenstein" and "Comme Il Faut" some discrepancies were obvious. The chief ones being :-
(a) The exact shape and position of the Inner Sea varies slightly (I chose to use the "Comme Il Faut" version).
(b) The size of Bavaria is different between the map of the country on page 15 of "Castle Falkenstein" and the travel map on page 61 of "Comme Il Faut". In the latter version, Bavaria is shown having a border with France which would mean that it had absorbed both Baden and Wurttemburg. On the former map, Bavaria is shown having a western border which runs north from Lake Constance. I chose to use this map as it was more detailed and having two more lesser German states (i.e. Baden & Wurttemburg) suited my campaign emphasis on intrigue and petty rivalry in this area of New Europa.
In "Our" world history, most of the smaller German states were formed (or re-formed) by Napoleon Bonaparte when he conquered the area. Many of these were acquired by the Prussian Crown following the end of the Napoleonic wars. I have assumed that, in the Falkenstein universe, without the direct land borders etc, the Prussian influence in the post-Napoleonic development of the Rhineland area was lessened and so the smaller German states largely survived intact. I have considered that, from the published maps of New Europa, the Kingdom of Bavaria has absorbed the Duchy of Nassau, the Grand Duchy of Hess-Darmstadt and the independent city of Frankfurt-am-Main.
A link to
A Map of "The Germanies" in New Europa
Circa 1872
A link to
A Map of The Rhinelands in New Europa
Circa 1872
Travel on the River Rhine.
Despite the construction of a railway network that takes in both banks of the Rhine, most of the heavy freight traffic and many passenger steamers still ply the river channels. Some details of this travel and other related information can be found on my RIVER RHINE page.
New pages giving more details on each of the Rhenish (Rhineland) Provinces will be added as I receive further unclassified reports from Ruprecht, Freiherr von Schleissen, now "Consul-Extraordinary for the Rhenish Principalities" of the Imperial and Royal Diplomatic Service of Austria-Hungary.
Under its enlighted ruler, Baden is probably the most democratic of all the Germanies.
This small kingdom is a staunch member of the Second Compact.
The Principality Of Hohenzollern.
Although ruled over by a distant branch of the Prussian Emperor's family, this principality takes its independence seriously.
A high class spa with an abundance of casinos. This small state is a very popular holiday destination for Royalty, Trendsetters and Gold-diggers alike.
A rapidly growing city state ruled jointly by Austria-Hungary and Bavaria since 1816.
Arguably the best wine-producing ares of the Germanies, this state has retained its rural character whilst other Rhineland nations have started on the road to full industrialisation.
The Grand Duchy Of Mittelrhein.
A nation formed by compromise which has never quite made a name for itself since.
The land of a Faerie King who steadfastly protects his human subjects and provides a place of asylum for many of the dispossessed Faerie of Prussia.
The Grand Duchy Of Cleve-Berg.
The rapidly developing industrial powerhouse of the Rhinelands.
A small state reknowned for being the most religiously tolerant nation in New Europa. A great centre of education and music.
The Archbishop-Electorate Of Trier-Saarland.
The only surviving eccesiastical state in the Germanies. A place where many aspects of feudalism still plays a major part in everyday life.
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