WI: Henry II dies in 1170 AD?

While reading up on Richard the Lionheart, I read that in 1170 Henry II fell seriously ill. What if he dies from this illness? Obviously, the Great Revolt of 1173-1174 never occurs. Henry the Young King has England, Normandy and Anjou while Richard gets the Duchy of Aquitaine.

* Could civil war break out?

* Does TTLs Henry III still marry Margeret of France?

* Does Henry continue or abandon the invasion of Ireland?

* Would Henry III go on crusade?

* Geoffrey is about 12 years old and John 4 years old. I can only see John being relegated to a monastary or killed at some point. Geoffrey was already betrothed to Constance of Brittany. What happens now?
 
In TTL, Henry III would likely still marry Margaret of France in order to gain her dowry of the Norman Vexin. Based on his behavior in OTL, I can see Henry III having problems with not only his brothers Richard and Geoffrey, but with his vassals in England. Civil war between the brothers in TTL is practically a sure thing. With Geoffrey not yet married Constance of Brittany, Geoffrey would likely support Henry III in a civil war until Henry is able to secure Brittany for Geoffrey. John will likely have an ecclesiastical career in TTL. Louis VII and Philip Augustus of France would both likely play the Plantagenet brothers against each other for the duration of their reigns. Henry III would be too busy fighting his brothers in France to have a reason to invade Ireland.
 
I'm not so sure of that. Did any legitimate son of a king of England ever followed an ecclesiastical career IOTL?

I tried to look, but I can't find any. The early Plantagenets were more French than English, however, and Louis VII was intended to follow an ecclesiastical career until the death of his older brother, Philip.
 
Perhaps John would be given some relatively insignificant lands in England in TTL. I could see Henry keeping John at court in order to watch him. In TTL, John would likely only receive a significant title if all of his brothers die without heirs. In OTL, Henry was furious at his father giving John lands that Henry was due to inherit. So I can not envision Henry being generous to John in TTL. In TTL, Henry III might have sons, and he would likely give them significant titles.
 
Perhaps John would be given some relatively insignificant lands in England in TTL. I could see Henry keeping John at court in order to watch him. In TTL, John would likely only receive a significant title if all of his brothers die without heirs. In OTL, Henry was furious at his father giving John lands that Henry was due to inherit. So I can not envision Henry being generous to John in TTL. In TTL, Henry III might have sons, and he would likely give them significant titles.

Good thinking.

I'd also assume that the Magna Carta gets butterflied away. Or something similar would try to be introduced earlier, or in a different realm.

I keep wondering who would be... militarily victorious in a civil war between Henry the Young and Richard. Henry has the wealth of England, Normandy and Anjou, but by all accounts, Richard was the better soldier. And that's not to mention the interference of Louis VII and Philip II.
 
In TTL, Henry would still need to raise money in order to fight his brothers, so it is likely that he would give his vassals some type of charter in exchange for their money. The winner of a civil war between Henry and Richard would be whoever is king of France at the time. Whatever advantage Henry might have in terms of his inheritance would be balanced by the headache Henry would face dealing with his vassals. Louis VII and Philip Augustus would definitely stir up the flames in England, Normandy, and Anjou. I could see Louis supporting Henry in an initial civil war (in exchange for Henry marrying Margaret but agreeing not to accept the Norman Vexin as her dowry) and keeping Richard from conquering any lands. I could then see Philip Augustus eventually forming a coalition with Richard and Geoffrey (if he still gets Brittany) against Henry. This coalition could seek to divide Henry’s continental lands between the three allies.
 
Another thing I've just thought about is this. Sources agree that Henry fell seriously ill in 1170, but I can't find out if it happened long before or shortly before the circumstances leading up to Thomas Becket's assassination. Henry II and Thomas may have been bestest frenemies, but apparently he was a tutor and friend to some of Henry's children.
 
Another thing I've just thought about is this. Sources agree that Henry fell seriously ill in 1170, but I can't find out if it happened long before or shortly before the circumstances leading up to Thomas Becket's assassination. Henry II and Thomas may have been bestest frenemies, but apparently he was a tutor and friend to some of Henry's children.

Thomas Beckett tutored the young king
 
Was Richard Eleanor's favourite child or am I imagining that? In any case she'd be an influence on her kids as far as civil wars go.
 
Thomas Beckett tutored the young king

I'm not sure if the relationship wouldn't turn out to be like the one with Henry II.Although,Henry II's kids might be more willing to take Beckett's defiance given he is their teacher and thus they probably do expect to show some respect to him.Henry simply just felt betrayed on a personal level.
 
Does Henry die before Richard de Clare invades Ireland? If so he might be sucked into the disruption in England. If he is already Ireland, he might be able to carve out a true autonomous state in Ireland while Henry's sons are distracted.

Either way this could have a huge impact on Irish history.
 
Does Henry die before Richard de Clare invades Ireland? If so he might be sucked into the disruption in England. If he is already Ireland, he might be able to carve out a true autonomous state in Ireland while Henry's sons are distracted.

Either way this could have a huge impact on Irish history.

Like I said, I can't find any sorces that mention specifically when in 1170 Henry fell ill. If Strongbow does invade and then returns, being the Earl of Pembroke, I'd say what happens next depends on what happens between Henry the Young, Richard and Geoffrey. I can see John being forced to become a priest or perhaps a knight, similar to Stephen of Blois, while the other three squabble over the Angevin realm, like Robert Curthose, William Rufus and Henry Beauclerc.

Personally, I think the Irish deserve a break.
 
Like I said, I can't find any sorces that mention specifically when in 1170 Henry fell ill. If Strongbow does invade and then returns, being the Earl of Pembroke, I'd say what happens next depends on what happens between Henry the Young, Richard and Geoffrey. I can see John being forced to become a priest or perhaps a knight, similar to Stephen of Blois, while the other three squabble over the Angevin realm, like Robert Curthose, William Rufus and Henry Beauclerc.

Personally, I think the Irish deserve a break.

I can certainly see John being pushed to go the priestly route if the option of land is closed.
Stephen OTL went the Knightly way as he was spotted by Henry Beauclerc and supported from then on, while his mother did not want any conflict with his younger brother who went the Churchly way.
 
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