Geoffrey Duke of Brittany lives and becomes King

https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...ould-establish-a-long-lasting-dynasty.423871/

So following on from the above thread, I've decided to do a story/timeline on Geoffrey Duke of Brittany and his line surviving on the English throne. I'm just trying to weigh up some of the costs and benefits of Geoffrey succeeding after Richard's death in 1199, or if Geoffrey should succeed Henry II.

Your thoughts on what the possible consequences could be would be much appreciated.
Also have both his daughters Matilda and Eleanor survive - a marriage between Eleanor and the Duke of Burgundy will be useful for him.
 
Also have both his daughters Matilda and Eleanor survive - a marriage between Eleanor and the Duke of Burgundy will be useful for him.
Also have both his daughters Matilda and Eleanor survive - a marriage between Eleanor and the Duke of Burgundy will be useful for him.
Indeed it will, I wonder, should he ascend after Richard dies in 1199, or should Richard die earlier? I can't imagine him going on crusade with Richard, he might be regent for England
 
In regards to Geoffrey himself, I can see him being a very good administrator, as some of the sources I've read do paint him as quite talented in that area when serving as Duke of Brittany. As an administrator I think he might be able to get a decent balance between fair amounts of taxation and spending, thus potentially lessening the chance of a revolt by his barons, or his brother's barons when Richard serves as King. I also think that his relationship with Philip Augustus will come in very handy should he get into any quarrels with Richard, or their father before Henry II's death.
 
Also as regards the name for a son of Geoffrey and Constance, would the kid still be called Arthur or is he more likely to be named something like Henry of Geoffrey?
 
I can't imagine him going on crusade with Richard, he might be regent for England

Were Richard and Geoff close enough for such a thing? In any case, having Geoff around (in England/France or just Brittany), would have some effect on John's troublemaking in Richard's absence.
 
Were Richard and Geoff close enough for such a thing? In any case, having Geoff around (in England/France or just Brittany), would have some effect on John's troublemaking in Richard's absence.

This is true, I do think John might try and band together with Geoffrey, if Geoffrey is in Brittany at the time their brother goes on Crusade. Hell Geoffrey might try something himself should Richard be away.
 
Any POD that butterflies away Richard's capture and subsequent ransom makes for a much stronger England. Kill Richard off before or during the Crusades and it's even better. Most of the failures of John's reign are due to decades of Richard sucking England dry, with and without John's help. If Geoffrey can focus on France, all the better for England.
 
Any POD that butterflies away Richard's capture and subsequent ransom makes for a much stronger England. Kill Richard off before or during the Crusades and it's even better. Most of the failures of John's reign are due to decades of Richard sucking England dry, with and without John's help. If Geoffrey can focus on France, all the better for England.

Alright intriguing, If Richard does die during the Crusade I imagine there'd be some time before word got to England, thus potentially prompting a struggle for r between Geoffrey and John for the throne
 
Also as regards the name for a son of Geoffrey and Constance, would the kid still be called Arthur or is he more likely to be named something like Henry of Geoffrey?

Most likely Henry, after the boy's grandfather. Arthur was born and named by his mother, a Breton, after the death of his father, who was probably French to the core.

As for whether he becomes King after Henry II or Richard, I honestly can't say which would be better, because, while I do think the tax money Richard collected for the Third Crusade could have been better spent, the problems which plagued John IOTL aren't going to magically go away. Honestly, people might see Geoffrey as being just as bad as, or worse than, John.
 
Most likely Henry, after the boy's grandfather. Arthur was born and named by his mother, a Breton, after the death of his father, who was probably French to the core.

As for whether he becomes King after Henry II or Richard, I honestly can't say which would be better, because, while I do think the tax money Richard collected for the Third Crusade could have been better spent, the problems which plagued John IOTL aren't going to magically go away. Honestly, people might see Geoffrey as being just as bad as, or worse than, John.

Intriguing, what sort of problems were those? The issue of the lands in France, and the taxation needed to keep the armies going?
 
I think it would be a shame to deny this ATL the exploits of Richard the Lionheart so I vote that Geoffrey inherits after his brother + having a competent administrator and a friend of the French king among those trying times would be interesting and would be hugely beneficially in stabilizing England post Richard as well as securing the Plantagenet's continental holdings. Depending on how Geoffrey goes about reforming and repairing his holdings I think he will be viewed by contemporaries as a competent and ruthless ruler but who would be loved by 'later historians' as hugely influential for any future shenanigans his son or grandsons undertake.
 
I think it would be a shame to deny this ATL the exploits of Richard the Lionheart so I vote that Geoffrey inherits after his brother + having a competent administrator and a friend of the French king among those trying times would be interesting and would be hugely beneficially in stabilizing England post Richard as well as securing the Plantagenet's continental holdings. Depending on how Geoffrey goes about reforming and repairing his holdings I think he will be viewed by contemporaries as a competent and ruthless ruler but who would be loved by 'later historians' as hugely influential for any future shenanigans his son or grandsons undertake.
I can see that. I think he and john might clash on occasion as well. Depending on how often Geoffrey is in England, things could get quite messy
 
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