OK, how could York have somehow become capital of England after the Viking invasions ?
Have Alfred the Great lose. Danish (ethnicity) kings in Yorvik gradually take over England. Should be quite possible.OK, how could York have somehow become capital of England after the Viking invasions ?
A major power centre, certainly. That doesn't mean it has to be the capital, though. Look at the United States: New York (and later Los Angeles) are major trade ports and bigger cities than DC; or Canada - Ottawa's only importance is as capital, Toronto (in particular), but also Montreal and Vancouver are more important as cities. Germany: capital is in Berlin (Bonn before that), stock exchange in Frankfurt.I'd say London would still be a major power centre in a Danish England, given its proximity to the continent, its fertile surroundings and its position at the mouth of the Thames.
A divided England and a move back south are possibilities in this TL.
A major power centre, certainly. That doesn't mean it has to be the capital, though. Look at the United States: New York (and later Los Angeles) are major trade ports and bigger cities than DC; or Canada - Ottawa's only importance is as capital, Toronto (in particular), but also Montreal and Vancouver are more important as cities. Germany: capital is in Berlin (Bonn before that), stock exchange in Frankfurt.
Yes, I know that all these are modern examples, but I still think the King's seat (and possible parliament eventually) could easily stay in York.
Indeed, I've often wondered why the Wessex dynasty moved the capital from Winchester to London? As you say, there is no particular reason why the largest city has to also be the capital. Might it have had something to do with London's strategic location, and the fact that it was the center of a nexus of old Roman Roads? Was York served by a similar nexus?