A Political Map Of Europe In 1199AD

Map created by AdhavocThe map above shows the political situation in Europe in the year 1199AD.

A very different time to today:

• You had 3 Roman Empire: The Eastern Roman Empire (aka Byzantine Empire), the Holy Roman Empire, and the Sultanate of Rum.
• More than half of France was controlled by the English
• Half of Spain was still under Muslim rule
• The crusader states still existed
• The Pope had his own country
• And Great Poland was still far from its maximum size

Here is a full list of countries:

Names on the Map:

1. Ireland
2. Wales
3. England
4. Scotland
5. Angevin Empire
6. Brittany
7. Normandy
8. Aquitaine
9. Poitou
10. France
11. León
12. Castile
13. Aragón
14. Portugal
15. Almohad Caliphate
16. Emirate of Beni Ghania
17. Ibadites
18. Ayyubids
19. Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire)
20. Crusader States
21. Sultanate of Rûm
22. Cilicia
23. Georgia
24. Azerbaijan
25. Cuman Khanates
26. Kiev
27. Galicia-Volhynia
28. Smolensk
29. Lithuania
30. Curonians
31. Great Poland
32. Pomerania
33. Silesia
34. Moravia
35. Bohemia
36. Holy Roman Empire
37. Friesland
38. Denmark
39. Provence
40. Kingdom of Sicily
41. Navarre
42. Flanders
43. Brabant
44. Genoa
45. Pisa
46. Papal States
47. Hungary
48. Bulgaria
49. Zeta
50. Bosnia
51. Serbia
52. Balearic Empire

And here’s a little bit more about them:

British Isles

1. Ireland: A patchwork of smaller kingdoms like Connacht and Leinster, alongside Norman-controlled areas. Not yet unified as a single kingdom.
2. Connaught: A prominent Irish kingdom in the west of the island.
3. Aileach: A kingdom in the north of Ireland, associated with the O’Neill dynasty.
4. Scotland: A unified kingdom under William I (the Lion). Distinct from England, it maintained its independence despite pressure from the Angevin Empire.
5. Wales: Fragmented into principalities like Gwynedd, Powys, and Deheubarth, with some regions under Norman control.
6. England: The heart of the Angevin Empire under King Richard I (the Lionheart). Dominated by Norman rulers and embroiled in continental politics.

Angevin Empire and Surrounding Areas

7. Angevin Empire: A vast domain spanning England, western France, and parts of Ireland. Ruled by the Plantagenet kings, notably Richard I in 1199.
8. Brittany: A semi-independent duchy within the Angevin Empire, ruled by Breton dukes.
9. Normandy: Key territory in northern France, contested between England and France.
10. Aquitaine: A culturally rich region ruled by Eleanor of Aquitaine, the mother of Richard I.
11. Poitou: Strategically important province in central France, part of the Angevin Empire.
12. Kingdom of France: The Capetian dynasty ruled France, with Philip II Augustus (r. 1180–1223) as king in 1199.

Iberian Peninsula

12. León: A major Christian kingdom in northern Spain, part of the ongoing Reconquista against Muslim-ruled territories.
13. Castile: A powerful Christian kingdom in central Spain, expanding its influence through the Reconquista.
14. Aragón: An influential Christian kingdom in northeastern Spain, known for maritime trade and military campaigns.
15. Portugal: An independent kingdom since 1139, gaining strength and territory during the Reconquista.
16. Navarre: A small but important kingdom on the Spanish-French border, maintaining independence despite larger neighbors.
17. Balearic Empire (Emirate of Beni Ghania): Islamic rulers of the Balearic Islands, resisting Almohad dominance.
18. Almohad Caliphate: A powerful Islamic empire based in North Africa, ruling much of southern Spain and North Africa.

North Africa

19. Ibadites: A Muslim sect influential in parts of the Maghreb (modern Algeria and Tunisia).
20. Ayyubids: A dynasty founded by Saladin, controlling Egypt, parts of Syria, and the Levant. They influenced Mediterranean politics.

Eastern Mediterranean

21. Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire): Based in Constantinople, the empire was recovering from internal strife and external threats, especially from Crusader States and the Sultanate of Rûm.
22. Crusader States: Christian-held territories in the Levant established during the Crusades, including the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
23. Sultanate of Rûm: A Turkish Islamic state in Anatolia, rivaling the Byzantines.
24. Cilicia: The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, a Christian ally of the Crusaders.

Caucasus and Steppe

25. Georgia: A powerful Christian kingdom at its height under Queen Tamar, dominating the Caucasus region.
26. Azerbaijan: Influenced by Persian culture and ruled by local Islamic leaders.
27. Cuman Khanates: Nomadic Turkic tribes controlling the steppes north of the Black Sea.

Eastern Europe

28. Kiev: The declining center of Kievan Rus’, weakened by Mongol pressures and internal rivalries.
29. Galicia-Volhynia: A Slavic principality known for its trade and strategic location.
30. Smolensk: A key principality in Kievan Rus’, important for trade along the Dnieper River.

Baltic and Scandinavia

31. Lithuania: A pagan state in the Baltic region, resisting Christian Crusaders.
32. Curonians: A Baltic tribe known for trade and piracy, resisting the Northern Crusades.
33. Denmark: A Christian kingdom under King Valdemar I, expanding its influence in the Baltic.

Central Europe

34. Great Poland: Part of the fragmented Polish state, ruled by dukes of the Piast dynasty.
35. Silesia: A duchy within Poland, influenced by German settlers.
36. Moravia: A semi-independent land within the Holy Roman Empire.
37. Bohemia: A kingdom within the Holy Roman Empire, rising in prominence.

Holy Roman Empire

38. Holy Roman Empire: A vast multi-ethnic realm in central Europe, ruled by the Hohenstaufen dynasty. It included German, Italian, and Burgundian lands.
39. Friesland: A coastal region with strong local autonomy and a distinct Frisian culture.
40. Flanders: A wealthy and urbanized region known for its textile industry and trade.
41. Brabant: A duchy in the Low Countries, growing in political and economic importance.

Southern Europe

42. Kingdom of Sicily: A Norman kingdom encompassing southern Italy and Sicily, known for its multicultural influences (Arab, Norman, Byzantine).
43. Provence: A wealthy region in southern France, thriving on Mediterranean trade.

Maritime Republics

44. Genoa: A powerful maritime republic in northern Italy, dominating Mediterranean trade.
45. Pisa: Another maritime republic, competing with Genoa and Venice for influence.
46. Papal States: Lands under the Pope’s direct control, centered on Rome, with significant political influence.

Balkans

47. Hungary: A Christian kingdom expanding into the Balkans under the Árpád dynasty.
48. Bulgaria: The Second Bulgarian Empire, recently re-established after throwing off Byzantine control.
49. Zeta: A small principality in the Balkans, a precursor to modern Montenegro.
50. Bosnia: An emerging polity with a mix of Christian and Bogomil influences.
51. Serbia: A rising Balkan kingdom under the Nemanja dynasty, resisting Byzantine influence.

Would you have wanted to live in Europe in 1199AD?