What is the earliest point at which the Low Countries can be a unified, independent state? And how would this be accomplished? Ideally, I'm searching a way that leads to an independent state (so no unification under a foreign power) where Old or Middle Dutch is the main language or at least vernacular and where the development of separate regional identies has not made full unification difficult; so ideally, this should be before the year 1200.
Maybe the Carolingian Empire could be divided differently in 843? Perhaps Flanders is a part of East Francia, rather than West? Or maybe Pepin I of Aquitane lives longer (IOTL, he died at age 41)? This would lead to a quadripartite division of the empire; and one of the divisions could be the northwestern portion where the Low Countries are.
Would love to hear your thoughts on this.
Maybe the Carolingian Empire could be divided differently in 843? Perhaps Flanders is a part of East Francia, rather than West? Or maybe Pepin I of Aquitane lives longer (IOTL, he died at age 41)? This would lead to a quadripartite division of the empire; and one of the divisions could be the northwestern portion where the Low Countries are.
Would love to hear your thoughts on this.
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