Holy Britannian Empire

The Holy Empire of Britannia, (神聖ブリタニア帝国, Shinsei Buritania Teikoku) also known as the Holy Britannian Empire or just "Britannia", is the worlds dominant military superpower and one of the three large Empire-unions that control earth in the Code Geass universe, the others being the Chinese Federation and the Euro Universe.

Government
The Holy Empire of Britannia is an absolute Imperial Monarchy in which the Royal Family holds almost all the power. It is lead by Charles Di Britannia, though he delegates regional control to his many children. The Empire currently seems to hold a policy of Social Darwinism, rather than divine mandate as their name would suggest. 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.

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.

Geography
Prior to it's invasion of Japan, Britannia was shown to include all of the western hemisphere (Both North and South America) as well as New Zealand and the Philippines. The Novels also show Indochina (Area 10) as belonging to the EMpire, though other maps contradict this. Oddly enough, the British Isles are not part of the Britannian Empire but the EU, being lost to the mainland during the Napoleonic wars. Australia remains independent.

In the premier introduction, Britannia invades Japan, one of the few other independent nations, in order to secure Sakuradite mineral deposits.

Britannia successfully conquers the majority of the Middle Eastern Federation, renaming it Area 18. At the Start of the Second Season, Prince Schneizel leads Britannian Forces against the EU, which held all of Africa, Europe, and Central Asia, successfully conquering almost half their territory, though what half is unknown.

Currently, the Britannian Army, under Prince Schneizel is attempting to annex provinces of the now disintegrating Chinese Federation, adding even more territory.

Demographics
The term "Britannian" when used as an ethnic descriptor, seems only to refer to Citizens with ancestry in the British Isles, and so are of Celtic or Anglo-Germanic descent. However, the territorial acquisitions of Britannia suggest that large numbers of other Europeans, Hispanics, Polynesians, Amerindians and Black Africans may also live under Britannian rule, all of whom may become Honorary Britannians.

Since all conquered areas are given a numeric designation, conquered people are similarly refered to by that number, hence Japan is referred to as Area 11 and the Japanese as "Elevens". It is assumed that there are at least 18 different numbered Areas, though only a few are specified in the show. Britannians use the term "Numbers" as shorthand for any non-Britannian living under their rule.

Calender
The Empire uses the a.t.b. or "Ascension Throne Britannia" calender, (also called the "Imperial Calender") dating back to the election of the Celtic super-King Eowyn in order to resist Julius Caesar's invasion, which is similar to our own Gregorian calender, but starting about fifty years earlier. This event is where Code Geass History diverges from our own, and the British Empire goes on to suppress the American Revolution, remain a absolute monarchy through the Age of Revolution, and take over the Western Hemisphere.

Flag
The Britannian Flag resembles the British Union Jack, but without the diagonal striping, and bearing a unique coat-of-arms. On the coat-of-arms, the lion represents royalty (or the King) while the serpent represents "death and rebirth".

Anthem
The Anthem of the Empire is called "All Hail Britannia!!!", after the Britannic salute. It is played on several occasions during the show and the lyrics are recorded below.


 * ''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
 * ''ll Hail Britannia!


 * ''So let his wisdom guide our way
 * ''Go forth and seek glory
 * ''Hoist your swords high into the clouds
 * Hail Britannia!