WI: Louis the Outremer inherits England?

At this point, England's Kings are elected by the Witangamot, not purely based on blood lines. Why would they elect a King of the Franks who would likely treat the country as an overseas territory of his homeland?
 
At this point, England's Kings are elected by the Witangamot, not purely based on blood lines. Why would they elect a King of the Franks who would likely treat the country as an overseas territory of his homeland?

So the Monarchy of England was elective at that time..
 
At this point, England's Kings are elected by the Witangamot, not purely based on blood lines. Why would they elect a King of the Franks who would likely treat the country as an overseas territory of his homeland?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but its (roughly) the closest best heir of the predecessor, isn't it? Not necessarily formally, just in practice.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but its (roughly) the closest best heir of the predecessor, isn't it? Not necessarily formally, just in practice.
In practice, often. But not always - for example, Alfred was elected over his older brothers' children because Wessex was in the middle of a war and needed a strong leader, and Harold Godwinson was elected despite having virtually no hereditary claim whatsoever. I don't think the Witan would choose the king of France.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but its (roughly) the closest best heir of the predecessor, isn't it? Not necessarily formally, just in practice.

I think so. I get the impression that they usually went with late King's designated success or the closest relative who's fit to rule, and at least from Egbert (reigned 802-839) onwards, except for two periods of Danish conquest and the subsequent restorations of the House of Wessex that were acknowledged by the Witan, they appear to have always chosen either a son or a brother of the late King.
 
In practice, often. But not always - for example, Alfred was elected over his older brothers' children because Wessex was in the middle of a war and needed a strong leader, and Harold Godwinson was elected despite having virtually no hereditary claim whatsoever. I don't think the Witan would choose the king of France.

Well, Alfred would fit the "best closest" fairly well, and I seem to recall reading Harold was distantly descended from the House of Wessex, but still.
 
Well, Alfred would fit the "best closest" fairly well, and I seem to recall reading Harold was distantly descended from the House of Wessex, but still.

Harold Godwinson was the fifth cousin once removed of Edward the Confessor, but his primary link to the House of Wessex was through his sister, widow of Edward the Confessor. Brother-in-law was a weak link, but since Edward died without issue and had no surviving siblings (and I think no surviving nephews or nieces, either), there wasn't a lot else to choose from, and Harold (and his father before him) had been the powers behind the throne for some time.
 
Harold Godwinson was the fifth cousin once removed of Edward the Confessor, but his primary link to the House of Wessex was through his sister, widow of Edward the Confessor. Brother-in-law was a weak link, but since Edward died without issue and had no surviving siblings (and I think no surviving nephews or nieces, either), there wasn't a lot else to choose from, and Harold (and his father before him) had been the powers behind the throne for some time.

I think Edgar the Atheling was his nephew, but yeah. No adult nephews.
 
Top