This is the flag of the Kingdom of Leon. It
comes from a world where the Reconquista failed and most of Spain remained
under Islamic rule. For many years Leon was forced to pay protection
money to Al-Andalus. However, after a while they were able to appeal to their
powerful Christian neighbors for support. For many years, the boarder of
Western Europe was considered to stop at the Pyrenees Mountains. The
Iberian Peninsula was lumped in with the rest of the Islamic World. This
somewhat miffed Leon, as they were often lumped in with the rest of Iberia,
when anyone remembered that they existed, that is.
The discovery of the Americas was delayed by a few
decades, but it still happened. Albeit, it was by the English-funded John
Cabot, rather than Christopher Columbus. The colonization of the New
World occurred rather differently than in our world. For example,
Al-Andalus colonized Mexico. This resulted in a new form of Islam that
combined Sunni Islam with tradition Aztec beliefs. The native converts
proved particularly zealous, and more than willing to wage jihad upon their
neighbors. Meanwhile, England colonized Brazil and France proved more
successful in its colonization of Canada, among other developments.
Leon got into the colonization game as well, though a
bit later than the other powers. Their first successful colony was Nova
Asturias, located in what would have been the Southeastern United States.
Nova Asturias became a major producer of tobacco, cotton, lumber and
other raw materials. This allowed Leon to slowly build up its economy,
rather than blowing through a bunch of money like Al-Andalus' did. Leon also
established colonies in Patagonia, Southern Africa, and even a few islands of
Indonesia.
What Leon lacks in sizes it makes up for in economic
prowess. Recently, despite years of resentment and conflict, relations
with Al-Andalus have begun to improve considerably. Leon is a nation that
truly lives up its motto Sub Umbra Floreo, which is Latin for "I Prosper
in the Shade". This is a reference to Leon's historical existence in
the shadow of Al-Andalus.
The flag is a simple crimson background with a golden
and bejeweled Asturias Cross in the center.
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