Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos, from his two marriages, only had two daughters - Maria Porphyrogenita (1152-1182) and Anna (1154-1158), one son, Alexios II (1169-1183), and a miscarried son in 1166.
While Manuel did have illegitimate children, his count of legitimate children was small compared to his father (John II), grandfather (Alexios I) and great-grandfather, who each had 8 to 9 children, and about an equal share of sons and daughters.
Given Manuel's drive to have a son (though probably not as obsessive as Henry VIII of England's), I'm surprised he didn't have more children with Maria of Antioch after Alexios II. If there was a reason for that, I understand.
Anyway, what if, after the birth of Alexios II, Manuel had had at least one or two more sons by Maria of Antioch? Would it have made much difference in the long run, or would they have met the same end as Alexios II?
Any thoughts?
While Manuel did have illegitimate children, his count of legitimate children was small compared to his father (John II), grandfather (Alexios I) and great-grandfather, who each had 8 to 9 children, and about an equal share of sons and daughters.
Given Manuel's drive to have a son (though probably not as obsessive as Henry VIII of England's), I'm surprised he didn't have more children with Maria of Antioch after Alexios II. If there was a reason for that, I understand.
Anyway, what if, after the birth of Alexios II, Manuel had had at least one or two more sons by Maria of Antioch? Would it have made much difference in the long run, or would they have met the same end as Alexios II?
Any thoughts?