Philip I of Germany, better known as Philip of Swabia, was the younger brother and successor of Emperor Henry VI Hohenstaufen. After his brother's death left three-year-old Friedrich as his heir, Philip was elected as the German King, leading to a long-running dispute with Otto of Brunswick. Eventually Philip was able to consolidate his power in Germany, but on the eve of his victory he was assassinated by the mad Count Palatine Otto VIII in 1208, creating a situation that eventually led to his nephew the King of Sicily becoming Holy Roman Emperor and even later leading to the decline of central power within the Empire.
So what if Philip wasn't assassinated or Otto VIII was caught before he could do much damage and Philip survived the assault? This would mean no union between Sicily and the Empire, leaving Friedrich II ruling Sicily and Philip in Germany. Considering Philip was only 31 when he was murdered we could easily expect him to reign for another 20 plus years and eventually father a male heir. What's the long-term affects of this survival? A stronger, Hohenstaufen Sicily (with no Angevin invasion) and a relatively centralized Empire? The continence of the Hohenstaufen dynasty? A weaker Papacy in Italy?
Thoughts?
So what if Philip wasn't assassinated or Otto VIII was caught before he could do much damage and Philip survived the assault? This would mean no union between Sicily and the Empire, leaving Friedrich II ruling Sicily and Philip in Germany. Considering Philip was only 31 when he was murdered we could easily expect him to reign for another 20 plus years and eventually father a male heir. What's the long-term affects of this survival? A stronger, Hohenstaufen Sicily (with no Angevin invasion) and a relatively centralized Empire? The continence of the Hohenstaufen dynasty? A weaker Papacy in Italy?
Thoughts?