Charles XI of France


 * For the cruiseliner on which Anne Colleton returned to the Confederate States from France in 1936, see Charles XI (Ship).

Charles XI (d 1944) installed as King of France by the Action Francaise party in 1930, after the Party seized control of the country.

In the 1930s, Charles supported Spanish Nationalists against the German-backed Spanish Monarchists in the Spanish Civil War--illustrating that France was once again able to challenge Germany on the battlefield. Charles also received Confederate envoy Anne Colleton in 1934. Colleton had been specifically appointed by President Jake Featherston to negotiate a continued alliance between the two countries and also keep the opportunistic Colleton away. Charles readily agreed, and sent Colonel Jean-Henri Jusserand to the C.S. in 1936 as military attaché.

In 1941, Charles, along with his Entente allies Mikhail II of Russia, Winston Churchill and Oswald Mosley of Britain, launched a series of coordinated assaults against Germany, beginning the Second Great War. Concurrently, France's North American ally, the CSA, attacked its traditional enemy, the United States.

The ensuing war lasted three years. Although France had arguably been the most vocal critic of German Empire before the war (and the country Germany appeared most determined to hold down), the country quickly became a junior partner to Britain. Despite initial gains, the Entente's fortunes in Europe were obviously turning by 1943.

In 1944, Charles was killed by the German superbomb that destroyed Paris. He was succeeded by Louis XIX, who, after an initial show of defiance, ultimately sued for peace.

Literary Comment
Harry Turtledove has yet to reveal Charles XI's identity. In OTL, Carlos, Duke of Madrid was the Legitimist claimant to the French throne, and would have reigned as Charles XI. However, he died in 1909 in OTL, and there is no reason to think he would have lived longer in the Southern Victory timeline.

It should also be noted that as Orleanists, Action Francais would probably have supported Jean, Duc de Guise (1874-1940) and then Henri, Comte de Paris (1908-1999) should France have seen a restoration.

Turtledove readers have reached a tentative consensus that Charles Maurras, the historical head of Action Francaise, somehow became king in Southern Victory. For a time, this article reflected that position, but as there is not enough concrete evidence, the administrators have stepped back from this position.