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I still think about it from time to time, but my creative energy is now expended in other fields. Thanks for the compliment regardless.

I admit my knowledge of Africa is likewise limited, except for the works of Martin Meredith. However, I note that Doe had the support of the armed forces and the presidential guard, many of whom were siphoning off the national treasury to advance the interests of one tribal group. With Doe dead...

I looked at this possibility for a timeline some years ago and suspect that Kru elites in Monrovia would have taken up arms against any threat to their privileges. While Quiwonkpa may receive international recognition, I believe that he would struggle to hold the capital and his survival would...

Would 13 years be sufficient time for the largely Catholic Spanish planter class in Cuba to feel fraternity with the English-speaking rebels to their north? Given Florida's lack of interest in the rebellion historically, I wonder if there really would be Cuban interest. My poorly informed...

In the 1763 Peace of Paris that ended the Seven Years War, the British settled for taking Florida from their defeated Spanish foes, rather than their preferred option of Cuba. What would be the consequences for the history of Britain, Spain, the future nations of the United States and Mexico...

I had been doing some research and found no evidence either. Appreciate the feedback.

I have heard the repeated wisdom that Henry VIII was headed for an archbishopric and a cardinal's biretta before the death of his brother, Arthur. Is this something that was essentially unavoidable if Arthur had lived? If so, presuming the demise of Henry VII in 1509 proceeds as OTL, would...

Difficult to see how Arthur could stay at it without Commons support. The humanists, who were quite influential and anti-war, made Wolsey's life miserable when he approached Parliament for taxes to fund Henry's military adventures.

Ties England in further with the HRE and Spain (the Habsburg alliance network). And greater isolation for France. Doesn't mean that the Commons will be any more cooperative in agreeing to fund foreign wars after the lack of achievement arising from the investment in the War of the Cambrai.

I think England will still have Protestant issues regardless of the faith of the monarch. The Church at the time was corrupt beyond comprehension and you only need to look at Scotland and France to know that a Catholic monarch doesn't guarantee an easy transition. There are three paths open...

There was a betrothal between Henry Tudor (later VIII) and Eleanor of Austria.

I believe it is probable that the work which earned Henry the papal title was a consultative effort with Fisher, More and others. So it is possible it was reproducable. It did go a bit over-the-top on papal authority. I don't know if it was the effort itself or its stringency on this...

They were raised together at Eltham Palace and only separated, as I understand it, when Arthur was married and sent to Wales. Arthur was a more studious, reserved and placid character than his brother, but there is no indication of any tension in the relationship. And re intervention in...

Which is what I said in the beginning. It is possible to get all of Melanesia under one set of boundaries but you need to start pre-1900 if you are trying to build some kind of national consciousness of "Melanesian-ness". Good luck getting France to hand over New Caledonia. Just look at...

I suspect that a common Melanesian national consciousness is unlikely to emerge without a common imperialistic overlord and colonial structure. By 1900, the region is too divided between Britain, France and Germany. Go back 20-40 years and there are more possibilities but they require a more...

Probably ASB. You would have a better chance of averting the leadership change to Gillard in the first place by having him call a general election (and win a second term) in early 2010.

So presuming Louis marries Bona, and give her three to four years to establish herself in the French court, does OTL Francis I end up Regent? Or would she pip him for the job because of her custody of the TTL Louis XIII? Obviously Brittany will now remain independent of France in the event of...

Presuming the unavailability of Mary Tudor for whatever reason, who could have been the third wife of Louis XII of France? What are the impacts on France (and Brittany) and the Italian Wars if said wife is pregnant with a son when Louis XII expires as per OTL? Would Bona Sforza as Queen...

One of the primary factors for the British in founding a colony at Port Jackson was to have somewhere to send US Loyalists after a recognition that the ARW had been lost. However, by the time the wheels of government had turned in the manner they do, this situation had resolved itself before...

It used to be the most important sin of all, condemned by the Torah, the Bible and the Koran, specifically condemned by twelve Church councils as late as 1517. Then, Henry VIII gave us all permission to ignore it by legally redefining usury to mean charging excessive interest over 10%. There...