Holy Britannian Empire
The Holy Britannian Empire is a government that features in Code Geass.
Contents |
History
The Holy Britannian Empire (神聖ブリタニア帝国, Shinsei Buritania Teikoku) or just Britannia was a nation that existed on the planet Earth.
In time, a young boy by the name of Charles zi Britannia ascended to the throne and became the harsh ruler of the Holy Britannian Empire.
By the time of the conquest of Japan, the empire controlled more than one third of the entire world. Among the only rivals of the empire were the E.U. and the Chinese Federation.
For Area 11, Third Prince Clovis la Britannia was assigned as the ruling Viceroy for Japan. During Clovis's regency, he launched a campaign in the Shinjuku District after Japanese resistance fighters stole a research project. In that time, a figure by the name of Zero emerged that managed to lead the rebels to victory with Clovis was killed during this time. In the aftermath, a new Viceroy was appointed in the form of Second Princess Cornelia li Britannia who was tasked with putting down the rebellion and eliminating Zero. Third Princess Euphemia li Britannia was also assigned to Area 11 to operate as Sub-Viceroy. The mysterious masked Zero established an effective resistance force known as the Black Knights.
With the Emperor defeated, Lelouch vi Britannia presided to the capital city where he claimed the throne despite objections from the Imperial Family. Despite their objections, he made use of his Geass power on them to force them to obey his commands and consolidated his control over the empire. Emperor Lelouch's actions included the destruction of the mausoleum that held the remains of previous emperors and also making Suzaku Kururugi his knight where he was designated the Knight of Zero. Among his other acts was disbanding the aristocracy and reshaping the Holy Britannian Empire though he faced much opposition with his actions.
Overview
Government
The capital of the empire was the city of Pendragon that was the home of the Britannian Imperial Family. Leadership of Britannia resided in the hands of the Emperor and succession fell down a family tree of relatives in the Imperial Family. The children of the Emperor held the position of Princes and Princesses with a line of succession being in place. It operated as an Imperial Monarchy in which the Royal Family held almost all the power. While its policy varies depend on the reigning emperor, its succession was based on Social Darwinism, rather than divine mandate. As such, numerous bloodshed and in fighting occurred within the empire. While the Emperor himself does hold most power in theory, in practice he delegates regional control to his many children; even those that does not govern a particular region also have much considerable political and military power. Charles has stated that traditional ten-commandments type morality is counter-progressive and believes that only internal struggle and military conquest can facilitate human evolution. He does not even make exceptions for his own children, as he shows no sympathy for their deaths, only pride in that the those who cannot fend for themselves are being culled from the royal line.
Titles of Britannian nobility (outside the Imperial family) during Charles' era, listed in order of rank.Grand Duke (大公爵)
- Duke (公爵)
- Marquess (侯爵)
- Margrave (辺境伯)
- Earl (伯爵)
- Viscount (子爵)
- Baron (男爵)
- Knight(騎士) : non-hereditary.
- Knight of Honor (武勲侯) : non-hereditary.
A territory under the Empires rule was headed by a Viceroy that was typically a member of the royal family. Beneath the Viceroy can also be a Sub-Viceroy should multiple royals be placed in charge of an area.
Within the empire was the Office of Secret Intelligence (OSI) that operated as a secret intelligence agency that was answerable only to the Emperor.
A directive of the empire was that numbers of an annexed area were to govern themselves.
Military
Among the most elite units within the Holy Empire was the Knights of the Round that consisted of twelve elite knights. Its leader was designated as the strongest of their number and known as the Knight of One with the others ranked below from that number.
A position of great prestige and importance was that of a Knight. Members of the nobles were able to appoint a warrior to serve as their personal bodyguard or Knight.in fact, it was the right of a Viceroy to have a Knight as their personal guardian and sentinel. From the single Knight, a royal guard could be established around them.
The Britannian Military consisted of a wide range of forces that included army, navy and airforce. Part of it included Search and Rescue teams that were assigned with finding wounded soldiers or the bodies of the deceased following an operation. Another branch were the Royal Marines that were equipped for aquatic based operations. The Britannian Military included all Armed Forces of the Holy Empire of Britannia. It is believed to be one of the largest, most powerful, and most technologically advanced military in the world.
One unit that was part of the empire was the Britannian Special Research Division or Camelot that was an Irregular unit that had autonomy from the military. Its function was research and development where they created new generations of Knightmare Frames along with weaponry.
Society
The upper class within their society consisted of the nobles of the aristocracy. Average citizens of the empire were referred to as commoners'. Above the commoners were the nobles who enjoyed high status in society. Nobility was determined through family blood lines, riches and status but some could be given nobility as a reward for a great service. This was one method through which a member of the military could climb the societal ladder. Another method was by marrying off children to a family of higher status. Some noble families could, however, be stripped of their position and drop down in power as a result.
One group within their society was the Purebloods who were Britannians that formed both a political and military faction. They were opposed to the idea of granting honorary citizenship to individuals that were not of Britannia. This was because they claimed that their society and military should not be sullied by the inclusion of foreigners. Their view was that no true Britannia would ever conduct acts of a criminal nature or turn against the empire. To achieve their goals, they were not above making use of underhanded tactics in order to support their goals.
Striking a Britannian officer or an attempt on their life was a capital offence with the perpetrator put to death.
Lower nobility controls much of the business and bureaucracy outside the royal family, and judging by the number of legal and illegal businesses that appear in occupied areas, capitalism is widely encouraged. The residents of conquered nations can become Honorary Britannian citizen, and while not genuine Britannians or free from discrimination, they are entitled to the same basic rights. Those who refuse to accept honorary citizenship are consigned to live in rundown ghettos, while those who accept it may live in the prosperous Britannian colonial cities, called Concessions.
Since all conquered areas were given a numeric designation, conquered people were similarly referred to by that number, hence Japan was referred to as Area 11 and the Japanese as "Elevens". It was assumed that there are at least 18 different numbered Areas, though only a few are specified in the show. Britannians used the term "Numbers" as shorthand for any non-Britannian living under their rule. It was possible for the conquered subjects of a satellite region to become an honorary Britannian through the legal process with this being easy to achieve.
Law enforcement was achieved through the Britannian Police Force that worked to ensure peace and order was maintained within the empire's territories. The civilian branch made use of their own special type of Knightmare Frames and were known as the Knightpolice.
The Anthem of the Empire was called "All Hail Britannia!!!", after the Britannic salute which was:
- Truth and hope in our Fatherland!
- And death to every foe!
- Our soldiers shall not pause to rest
- We vow our loyalty
- Old traditions they will abide
- Arise young heroes!
- Our past inspires noble deeds
- All Hail Britannia!
- Immortal beacon shows the way
- Step forth, seek glory!
- Hoist your swords high into the clouds
- Hail Britannia!
- Our Emperor stands astride this world
- He’ll vanquish every foe!
- His truth and justice shine so bright
- All hail his brilliant light!
- Never will he be overthrown
- Like mountains and sea
- His bloodline immortal and pure
- All Hail Britannia!
- So let his wisdom guide our way
- Go forth and seek glory
- Hoist your swords high into the clouds
- Hail Britannia!
Technology
One of the chief developments of the empire was the Knightmare Frame that was instrumental in ensuring Britannian victory over the Japanese.
Members
- Charles zi Britannia :
- V.V. :
- Marianne vi Britannia :
- Lelouch vi Britannia :
- Nunnally vi Britannia :
- Clovis la Britannia :
- Rolo Lamperouge : a male assassin who was a Geass user that was part of the Geass Order and assigned to the Office of Secret Intelligence where he was tasked with watching over Lelouch Lamperouge by masquerading as his brother after his memory was overwritten though he later sided with him.
Notes
Appearances
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion:
External Links
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