kasumigenx said:
So Basically whether Louis marries Blanche or Eleanor the effect will be still the same.
A difference would be that Louis VIII would have had a claim on every land of John, making the conquest of the French feudal holdings would be linked to a succession, and not to Philip Augustus using feudal law like OTL : Technically, the conquest of Normany, Anjou, Maine, Tourraine and part of Aquitaine were legal because Philip confiscated them from his vassal (John Lackland) because John had betrayed feudal rules by kidnapping Isabella of Angoulême (who was to wed Hugh X of Lusignan when John kidnapped her).
Another difference would be that Britanny is inherited by the French crown. This did not happen OTL as the Duchy of Britanny passed to Constance's daughter Alix de Thouars (born from Constance's second or third marriage, can't remember) who then wedded in the House of Dreux, a cadet branch of the Capetians. Britanny only became incorporated to France in 1491 with Anne of Britanny marrying Charles VIII then Louis XII, then her daughter Claude marrying Francis I.
Lastly, Louis would have a claim that could surpass John's (technically) on the English throne, which may lead later to a reverse version of the Hundread Years' War if you have a French King with enough ambition, and on the French lands of the "Angevin Empire", which would probably help in securing them (and might add all of Aquitaine to the French Kingdom rather than just leaving a small part of it to England).
Domenic said:
I was just thinking that Eleanor would be more likely to be married to Louis when he was less likely to get a claim through her. Richard being alive and at least theoretically capable of fathering a son would be a factor in that, that's all.
Oh, now I understand what you meant earlier. I must say this makes sense.
Domenic said:
The point that while Louis might (if my speculation has any basis, it is just a guess on my part really) not find Eleanor as great a help as might be expected in claiming England he would in claiming even the French lands that remained to John is a very fair one. However this would apply only if Arthur was not alive, leading to another result of this POD: instead of cruelly murdering Arthur John would prize and protect his life next to his own, as while Arthur lived Eleanor's claim was null.
Good point. Thus, instead of mysteriously disappearing (Arthur was probably murdered by John, but we lost his tracks around 1203 and can't be 100% sure of what happened), Arthur could end his life on captivity in an English Castle.
However, I doubt John would let Arthur marry at one point. If he did so, there would be a potential threat to his rule or that of his heirs.
Problem is that if Arthur does not marry, then Eleanor remains Arthur's heiress, leading to Louis and his children inheriting her claim at one point in that scenario. Of course, this would have to wait for Arthur's death.
Another problem with Arthur being in captivity in England is that the English Barons could be tempted to liberate him if they rebel like OTL.