WI: Henry VI isn't mentally disabled.

[MagnusMaximus]

What if Henry VI, lived up to his father's strengths, the late Henry V and wasn't so mentally unstable. Additionally, can the regency be improved to better hold their position in France by giving concessions to the Burgundians, such as Henry VI's regents brokering to give the Burgundians a crown of their own in hopes of appeasement. Would this, by the time of the end of the regency give England a chance to conquer the rest of England, and would the regency have the power to hold the parts England had taken in the first place. Additionally, as a third POD, say Joan of Arc is burned for heresy due to her claiming the lord had spoken to her. Lastly, would the War of the Roses still happen, or does Henry VI's lack of insanity prevent it, and if the Lancastrian should fail in say a few generations, what might happen in that alternate WOTR.

 

[Mikestone8]

What if Henry VI, lived up to his father's strengths, the late Henry V and wasn't so mentally unstable. Additionally, can the regency be improved to better hold their position in France by giving concessions to the Burgundians, such as Henry VI's regents brokering to give the Burgundians a crown of their own in hopes of appeasement. Would this, by the time of the end of the regency give England a chance to conquer the rest of England, and would the regency have the power to hold the parts England had taken in the first place. Additionally, as a third POD, say Joan of Arc is burned for heresy due to her claiming the lord had spoken to her. Lastly, would the War of the Roses still happen, or does Henry VI's lack of insanity prevent it, and if the Lancastrian should fail in say a few generations, what might happen in that alternate WOTR.

There were already problems, eg Jack Cade's rebellion and the fall of the Duke of Suffolk, even before Henry's bout of insanity. But that was what allowed York to become Protector, and put him within striking distance of the throne. The 1460s are probably still a stormy decade, but Henry may well struggle through them until his son is grown up. His reign might rather parallel that of Henry III.

 

[Fabius Maximus]

Assuming that Henry also gets some of his father's political and military prowess instead of being a wet blanket like in OTL, I think there's a good chance of avoiding any significant internal instability. Regarding France, the Burgundians can probably be kept on side (though I'm not an expert in the period, so I'm not sure what exactly would be necessary), although even with Burgundy on their side I'm not sure the English have the resources to do much more than maintain their existing possessions.

 

[MagnusMaximus]

Assuming that Henry also gets some of his father's political and military prowess instead of being a wet blanket like in OTL, I think there's a good chance of avoiding any significant internal instability. Regarding France, the Burgundians can probably be kept on side (though I'm not an expert in the period, so I'm not sure what exactly would be necessary), although even with Burgundy on their side I'm not sure the English have the resources to do much more than maintain their existing possessions.

Philip the Good signed the Treaty of Arras with Charles to get concessions such as Charles promising to punish his father's killers, and he didn't have to pay homage for his lands. The English TTL could offer similar or better terms, perhaps giving Burgundy independence in totality and issuing warrants against the slayers of Philip, and perhaps in these warrants they may accuse Charles VII who ordered the murder himself. France also gave land to Burgundy, such as Ponthieu, Vermandois, etc. The land concessions may be more tricky but the regents may make some in the interest of keeping English rule stable. As for the abilities of Henry VI, let's assume he's a still pious but also war-like King who wants to consolidate France and is willing to dispense some concessions to do so.