Queen Matilda of England (1135-1167)

Imagine that Stephen of Blois did not usurp the throne of England and Matilda, the heiress of Henry I, the widow of Emperor Henry V of the Holy Roman Empire and the wife of Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou, did become Queen of England. This would perhaps change not much, because in both TL Matilda's son Henry Curtmantle did became king after his predecessor's death, but there would not be the Anarchy and Henry would be more than a decade older at he time he became king. But would that be all?
 
Matilda and Henry II wouldn't need to spend so much time rebuilding and strengthening royal authority and having illegal castles torn down, which combined with better prosperity in England could have some interesting effects on the Continent.

Indeed, if Matilda reigns till death, then Henry only has a reign of 20 years, acceding the throne at the point when he would already have been Duke of Anjou and Maine for 16 years, Normandy for 17 years, Count of Nantes for 9 years and if the marriage with Eleanor of Aquitane still occurs (which is possible though not certain), Duke of Normandy and Gascony for 15 years.

With such experience at reigning, England should be very managable, while the shorter reign could easily prevent the conflicts with his sons preventing the weakening of Angevin power.
 
With such experience at reigning, England should be very managable, while the shorter reign could easily prevent the conflicts with his sons preventing the weakening of Angevin power.

I agree, Henry would have had a much easier time with his children.

This would have some interesting butterflies, as it may mean no Magna Carta (as John may not rule, and if he did may not be in the type of troubles he had in OTL).
 
I agree, Henry would have had a much easier time with his children.

This would have some interesting butterflies, as it may mean no Magna Carta (as John may not rule, and if he did may not be in the type of troubles he had in OTL).

I think a lot depends on if the marriage with Eleanor of Aquitane occurs. She may not even marry the King of France ITTL. If that happens, I think it likely that the originally planned division that would have made Henry the Young King King of England, Duke of Normandy, Maine and Anjou, while Richard gets Aquitane and John Ireland would work out.

Of course, if Richard dies without heirs as OTL...
 
I think a lot depends on if the marriage with Eleanor of Aquitane occurs. She may not even marry the King of France ITTL. If that happens, I think it likely that the originally planned division that would have made Henry the Young King King of England, Duke of Normandy, Maine and Anjou, while Richard gets Aquitane and John Ireland would work out.

Of course, if Richard dies without heirs as OTL...

So Geoffrey will still get Brittany by right of marriage?
 
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