National Identity

The idea of nationalism is a fairly modern concept. In the middle ages boundaries were still heavily contested. Some areas under dispute were not settled until as recently as World War I, for instance Alsace-Lorraine between France and Germany. During the early middle ages the feudalistic form of government meant that loyalty belonged to the liege lord, not the land. Because land was constantly changing titles and boundaries  it fell to the individual to be the leader around whom loyalty and devotion was owed. In later years as monarchies consolidated power, the average person identified with their local lord first. Even in our global world where cultural lines have begun to blur, regional differences still play a large part in our identities. This was more pronounced in the middle ages, where travel took longer and change was slower. 

In France there were two main regional divides, and for the most part they still exist today. The northern region held the counties/dukedoms of Normandy, Brittany, Poitier,  Berry, Burgundy, Champagne, Lorraine, Bourbon, and the most important Ille de France. These were collectively known as the Langues d'oil for the language pronunciation of the word yes, oui. The south is a smaller region and was referred to as Langues d'oc, there is an area that still is in fact. The majority of the south was controlled by the county of Toulouse.  Also in the region were the counties of Aquitaine, Gascony, and Provence. Prior to the mid-1200s, this southern region was under the vassalage of the King of Aragon in what is now Spain. Being so close to the borders, Provence held close ties to both France and Italy. After the so-called Albigensian Crusade, these areas were brought under more direct control by the King of France.

Even the Holy Roman Empire consisted of a number of smaller regions joined under the Emperor. Much the same way the the European Union today is composed of individual countries united under a common council, each part is still largely autonomous although it is subject to the higher authority. 

The Hundred Years War between France and England, beginning in the 14th century, was a territorial war over the right to the throne. There were very close ties between France and England after William the Conqueror of Normandy claimed the throne of England, and several subsequent marriage alliances between the two countries. The conflicts between the two countries helped to foster a sense of nationalism, especially with the arrival of Joan of Arc and her immense popularity even to this day. 

The advent of the printing press in the mid 15th century and it's importance to the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation helped to increase this growing nationalist movement. The vernacular languages of each country began to be standardized during this period as regional differences were merged. The creation of a middle class during this time period also fostered less dependence on the ideology of nobility and liege-lords, and more of a connection to the idea of King and Country. Many factors went into this, but I will not delve into them at this point. 

For more information on the rise of nationalism, try Henry Kamen's Early Modern European Society, or Elizabeth L. Eisenstein's The Printing Press as an Agent of Change.