alternatehistory.com

This is a big problem of mine, because there just really don't seem to be many examples of Christian, Western European, feudal vassals becoming independent without either (1) an agonisingly slow socioeconomic transition (as in Italy or, even worse, Germany) or (2) as a collapse following an impressive conquest (e.g. Canute).

But is it possible to get something like the Stem Duchies of East Francia / the HRE to become independent in a single stroke? And if so, how would one go about that? Could a vassal of an excommunicated or generally disliked lord manage to up and claim a kingdom for himself, or was the royal map of Europe just set between 900-1500?
Top