Parlay in Reverse

by CatSnidget009-HP

She the daughter of two of wizarding Britain's most notorious death eaters, and he the savior of the wizarding world. Can two opposing forces come together for the greater good? Can they manage to turn the tide of war as everything crumbles around them? A betrothal, a promise, a friendship, and familial expectations. Can they manage to prevent it all from falling apart? Fleurmione

21. Chapter 21 - A Brief History

From the Tome of Lines & Histories: A brief history of the lines of Wizarding France

From the Journals of Healer Regis Dufresne

The early concept or rather the beginnings of Wizarding France as a country back in the days when the land was known as Gaul, can be described as a land torn in strife and endless bloodshed. Would be Kings battled against one another, Lord against Lord, brother to brother, man with beast. The land was wrought with endless violence across all corners and many a life was lost with no end in sight.

The Land of Wizarding France or Gaul as it once was called was and is comprised of 6 major regions; Central France or Ile de France ruled by the Delacour Kings. To the South where the Southwestern and Southeastern regions, did the Evreux Kings hail. The Great West was ruled by the Maiziere Kings. To the North where the most Northern of lands did the Bernadotte Kings rule and the Northeastern where the Dampierre Kings hold totalitarian dominion.

Until 24 BDR (Before Delacour Rule) when King Florent Aurelien Delacour started his great conquest. The Head of one of the five powerful families that continue to stand to this day, Florent braved battle after battle subduing each of the would be kings.

Starting in the Southwestern and quickly moving to the Southeastern he pacified the lands by bringing an end to the strife in those regions and earning the life-long loyalty and friendship of the Evreux King, King Philippe Tristan Evreux. Besting King Phillipe in single combat, did King Florent begin his great unification of the land that would be known as the Great Kingdom of Wizarding France. Further solidarity and friendship was created between the two noble houses as King Florent took the sister of King Phillpe to wife, Princess Severine who would later be known as Queen Severine Delacour, The Compassionate. Upon his union to the Exreux Princess and his subsequent defeat of the Evreux King, did King Florent create the first High Lord. And so it was known from then on that the Evreux Kings would be Lords Evreux, high lords in all perpetuity answerable to none but the King of Wizarding France.

Once solidifying his rule over the South did King Florent with the added Evreux forces make their way to the West where the Great Kingdom of the West ruled by King Hippolyte Marc-Antoine Maiziere. It is said that upon seeing the might of the Central and Southern Kingdoms did King Hippolyte send an envoy atop a destrier to sue for peaceful terms. King Florent offered his terms under peaceful conditions. Bend the Knee and swear fealty to the King of All Wizararding France, King Florent Delacour, never to raise arms against House Delacour, and House Maiziere would continue to rule as High Lords of the West. The terms were direct and amenable. The sight of the armies of the two largest Kingdom's of Gaul and the reasonable terms were enough for King Hippolyte to bend the knee and become the Lord Maiziere.

Consolidating his rule over the Kingdom to the West did King Florent turn to the most Northern Kingdom, ruled by the Bernadotte King; King Alceste Aymeric Bernadotte. King Florent would offer the same terms to King Alceste and after many a negotiation did King Alceste reluctantly agree. The Northern most Kingdom was not powerful enough to face up against three of the Kingdoms of France. They could not hope to even if they joined forces with the Northeastern Kingdom. In return for their fealty did King Alceste request for a marriage between King Florent and his eldest daughter Princess Katherina. Having already taken a Queen, did King Florent reject the offer and instead provide the hand of his younger brother Donatien Delacour. Donatien Delacour would be the heir apparent to the young King Florent's rule until a child of his own loins was born to him. And so thus did King Alceste reluctantly agree to the match and did the Bernadotte Kings become the Lords Bernadotte.

The Final Kingdom in the land of Gual was the Northeastern Kingdom, ruled by the ruthless Dampierre Kings. Theirs was a kingdom hard fought and won. It is said the conquest of this 5th and final kingdom took many a toll on young King Florent. Battle after battle the King Dampierre, King Benoit Ghislain Dampierre, would not relent. Not above resorting to the dirtiest of tactics did the battles and strife continue with no end in sight.

The bloodshed only coming to an abrupt end after King Benoit was slain. His eldest son Prince Corentin, more amenable and with fear for his life and that of his line, bent the knee soon after.

And so it was that the Kingdom of Wizarding France was formed.

The Delacour Kings and Queens would rule for many years in peaceful just harmony. Fighting back many a would be invasion from neighboring countries. And at one point joining their line through a minor daughter to that of their muggle counterparts.

Wizarding France thrived for many years under Delacour rule until the Muggle French Revolution. Many a strife was felt on the wizarding side as much as the muggle. To this extent did the King at the time King Laurent Delacour "The Wise" see the growing need for democracy.

The people of muggle france had endured much hardship under their muggle King and although Wizarding France had not seen the same level of hardship for the Delacours were just rulers. The concept of democracy was fast growing.

And so it was in the year 1793, the very day that the muggle queen Marie Antoinette was executed. That the Delacour's stepped down as Kings and became High Lords.

Although this decision was met with many a reluctance, for the Delacours had been just and noble throughout the history of their rule. And thus a failsafe was created.

Should the ministry fail the people in all form of manner, should the ministry turn its back on democracy and the foundation of the betterment of its citizens. Should corruption grow, fester and run rampant throughout the institution meant to keep its citizens safe. And should the cry of the people be so great would the Delacours once more bear the burden of Kingship and take their place once more as the Rulers of Wizarding France.

The first Wizarding French Minister for Magic Marius Evreux took over the governorship of the country of Wizarding France until his successor was elected through the newly established democratic process in 1781.

Dated 02.19.1801