WI: Adolf VIII of Berg didn't sell his inheritance to John I of Brabant?

Adolf VIII of Berg was the eldest nephew of the last Duke of Limburg, Waleran IV of Limburg. OTL, after trying unsuccessfully to claim Limburg, he sold his claim to Duke John I of Brabant, who after the Battle of Worringen became the new Duke of Limburg, uniting Brabant and Limburg. So, what if Adolf didn't sell his claim? Could he still obtain John's support? Or would his rival claimant, Reginald I of Guelders end up as the Duke of Limburg instead? How would this affect the Low Countries?
 
Having more territories does not make a noble necessarily more powerful, but if does and Guelders gets it, that might change their conflicts with Cleves as well as their conflicts with Münster over the borders of the Lower Quarters. Just a first idea.

Btw, didn't the count of Cleve suffer from (presumably) PTSD after the Battle of Worringen? IIRC, it came to haed in the 1310s, when his son tried to depose him as insane and a low-key civil war broke out.
 
IOTL the count of Berg wasn't able to claim due to the competition of the count of Gelre & Zutphen. He'd need allies ITTL too, however the duke of Brabant will be a bit less interested than IOTL.

Limburg wasn't particular large, even though its' ruler held the title of duke. For Brabant controlling Limburg meant a greater control on trade and other contacts with the Rhineland. It also meant adsorbing the rival claimant to Lower Lorraine (by this point mostly titular and honorific).
Both Berg or Gelre-Zutphen might ITTL end up as being considered a part of the duchy of Limburg.
For Brabant Limburg-Gelre-Zutphen would be a greater rival than Limburg-Berg, however both options will be interested in increasing their influence (or more) in the Rhineland over Kleve/Kleef, Jülich/Gulik, Mark etc.

More than territorial gains, the acquiring Limburg would mean obtaining a higher noble title, however unlike Brabant (as heir of Lower Lorraine) they wouldn't immediately rise to rank of a prince of the Empire (Reichsfürst), however a stronger position could help to obtain it. Since they already are a duke, becoming a 'Reichsfürst' will naturally be their next objective.

This also means that in terms of the balance of power, certainly initially there wouldn't suddenly be a major shift; but if they play their cards right, they could gradually become more important.
 
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