Historians still debate the legacy of the Franco-German war. Although German armies were able to defeat the French imperator and Germany itself became more than an idyllic spiritual community, the war itself was brutal and its political demands set a dangerous precedent.
Although increases in military spending and the deployment of some troops in cities near the French border indicates German intentions to raid the French border, the war began with France's imperial aims. An excitably violent despot named Napoleon Bonaparte ruled the French state from Paris: his penchants for gluttony and violence were equally known. Bonaparte had little use for German "enlightenement": his was an empire of steel and horses. Few would question his dictates.
Sir Roosevelt, Lord Protector of the American state, quickly joined forces with the Germans. America and Germany were long-time trading partners, and Roosevelt's bitter rivalry with Napoleon was legendary.
Despite its attempt at military buildup, the German Union remained on the defensive for several decades. The introduction of spearmen into the ranks of the Holy Union's army would eventually put a stop to French raids, but in the meantime German soldiers fought desperately to keep mounted warriors and archers from reaching the interior. Only once did they fail, but the French troops perished attempting to scale the walls of Hamburg. The Holy City, sometimes dominating Germany more than Berlin, remained free.
Regarldess of the direct assault on Hamburg, city officials were reluctant to join Berlin's war effort. Roosevelt enjoyed the support of his entire nation, and the French state soon concentrated its efforts in the north -- allowing German numbers to increase as they were no longer constantly fighting.
Germany's first offensive began with the invasion of Chartres, a small French border down that served as little more than a watering hole for French troops who were Germany-bound. German macemen slugged their way into the city center, then set fire. The town's inhabitants took up arms and fled into the woods, where they began waging guerilla war on the German army. The entire offensive stopped while Union troops focused on hunting the fighters down. One particular band of rebels destroyed three regiments of men-at-arms, and were thought of as invincibile until a young troop leader named Karl Martel triumphed over them. Berlin's regent was so impressed with Martel's performance that he named Martel "The Axe". His troops were known from that day forward as "The God Killers", for they had succeeded in defeating a seemingly immortal foe.
Martel was welcomed to Berlin, where he established its Military Academy -- incredibly, still standing today. He was promoted as High General, commanding all of Germany's forces. He responded to his new power by initiating a siege of Orleans.
The prolonged siege lasted three years, but German catapults reduced the town's walls to little more than rubble. Althouh Orleans' defenders were both experienced and zealotous -- for they were fighting for their homes -- the numbers and skill on the side of the Union's army saw its fall to German hands.
Martel proclaimed himself Lord of Orleans and treated it as his private domain. The city would revive under Martel's rule, eventually becoming the official seat of his power as governor of the conquered provinces. Martel began reforming the army, retraining its swordsmen with heavier weapons and armor. Likewise, pikes replaced simple spears.
He demanded more influence in the Union government in regard to military production. In the decade that passed between the fall of Orleans and the second great offensive, Martel reached greater and more influential heights. He treated with Napoleon on his own authority, offering the dictator peace if he would surrender France's largest city bordering the Union -- Lyons.
Martel was not amused. "PARIS, THEN!" he roared -- and the Army of God stood once more to attention. Orleans was not destined to be their greatest triumph -- it would be only the beginning of their glory.
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