[Alneyan]

I would say Marignon is southern France/northern Spain, with the Holy See (Marignon has a Cardinal, like Pythium if memory serves). The part of France I am thinking of is the lands of the Cathars, as it would be fairly close to Marignon, I believe. Add the Inquisition, maybe even the Reconquista, shake a lot, and you have Marignon. That's how I see them at any rate.