POD that intrigues me to no end: in 1169, Manuel Komnenos' second wife Maria of Antioch gives birth to a girl, not a boy (OTLs Alexios II).
Bela III (Bela Alexios) of the House of Arpad is still betrothed to Maria Komnene at this point and, in 1169, is still the Despotes, heir-designate to the throne. If Maria of Antioch does not give birth to a son in 1169, should we expect Bela-Alexios to succeed Manuel as Basileus?
Furthermore, when Stephan III of Hungary dies in 1172, would a Bela III who is still heir to the Komnenos crown go to Hungary to claim its crown while Manuel is still alive, or would he allow his younger brother Geza to reign as an ally or vassal? For more info on Bela III: http://www.hungarianhistory.com/lib/hunspir/hsp12.htm
Considering Bela's track record as King of Hungary from 1172-1196, he was an effective and diligent ruler. Manuel obviously saw this potential in him, and had forced his nobles to swear oaths to Bela and Maria in 1165 as heirs of the Empire.
I wonder what Manuel's course of action would be in 1172 when, still without a son and with Bela and his betrothed Maria Komnene as his heirs, the crown of Hungary becomes vacant....perhaps Manuel will then have Bela-Alexios and Maria formally wed once and for all in order to strengthen the Roman claim to Hungary. With Manuel having no son, is Bela-Alexios not the logical first choice as a successor due to his betrothal to Manuel's daughter Maria?
Bela III (Bela Alexios) of the House of Arpad is still betrothed to Maria Komnene at this point and, in 1169, is still the Despotes, heir-designate to the throne. If Maria of Antioch does not give birth to a son in 1169, should we expect Bela-Alexios to succeed Manuel as Basileus?
Furthermore, when Stephan III of Hungary dies in 1172, would a Bela III who is still heir to the Komnenos crown go to Hungary to claim its crown while Manuel is still alive, or would he allow his younger brother Geza to reign as an ally or vassal? For more info on Bela III: http://www.hungarianhistory.com/lib/hunspir/hsp12.htm
Considering Bela's track record as King of Hungary from 1172-1196, he was an effective and diligent ruler. Manuel obviously saw this potential in him, and had forced his nobles to swear oaths to Bela and Maria in 1165 as heirs of the Empire.
I wonder what Manuel's course of action would be in 1172 when, still without a son and with Bela and his betrothed Maria Komnene as his heirs, the crown of Hungary becomes vacant....perhaps Manuel will then have Bela-Alexios and Maria formally wed once and for all in order to strengthen the Roman claim to Hungary. With Manuel having no son, is Bela-Alexios not the logical first choice as a successor due to his betrothal to Manuel's daughter Maria?