AHQ: duchy of Frisia

[Janprimus]

The thread about the Frisian kingdom remindeded me of the title duke of Frisia, which was given to a Viking Godfrid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godfrid,_Duke_of_Frisia) by emperor Charles the Fat (at that time he ruled East Francia, Italy and Lotharingia), Frisia at that time was Lotharingia north of the rivers Rhine and Meuse. Maybe if this duke turns out to an asset for the defense of this area this will result in a lasting duchy of Frisia as a part of Lotharingia or one of the other neighboring successor states of the Frankish Empire (Eastern or Western Francia).
Or alternatively one of the other Viking raiders (Godfrid http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godfrid_Haraldsson and Rorik http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rorik_of_Dorestad) establish themselves better in this region.

What would be the result if this area turns into duchy as the Eastern Frankish (later German and Holy Roman) and Lotharingian equivalent of Normandy?
(So that the territory Lotharingia is split in Lower Lotharingia (Lothier), Upper Lotharingia (Lorraine), Frisia and the Alsace (which eventually went to Swabia)).

 

[The Professor]

Interesting idea.
I think part of the problem is that the geography of the area doesn't lend itself to centralised rule under a single rule - it's marshy, floods a lot, and prone to isolated settlements.

Ignoring that however and assuming a longterm single entity is possible, I do see a resemblance to Normandy - with all it's politicking in the neighbouring kingdoms of England, Denmark, and France, it will be a right pain for any King of East Francia .
However it may mean that the Duchy of Lower Lorraine is less prone to fragmentation.
Either way a strong(er) power in the west of the German Roman Empire could divert attention from the East - we may see Flanders or even Denmark joined to the Empire.

 

[Falastur]

problem was that frisia was marshland. it didn't make for a good population build-up or centralisation, nor for good natural resources.

 

[Theodoric]

problem was that frisia was marshland. it didn't make for a good population build-up or centralisation, nor for good natural resources.

'Western Frisia', ie modern day Holland, did have a good position for trade, being located at the end of the Meuse, Rhine etc., but I guess that's not really enough to make it last in the Dark Ages.

 

[Janprimus]

Regarding centralisation, it will just be like other East Frankish duchies and be divided in counties, which could be granted to the leading members of his retinue.