WI : Manuel I has no sons, and Bela III stays heir

I'm unable to recall a situation where the King or heir to a Kingdom was made the Byzantine heir historically, besides Bela III.

I'm very curious, what if Manuel has no sons and Bela-Alexios retains the position as heir - would the Romans accept him? If they did, what would the long term impacts on the Empire for essentially inheriting Hungary, or Hungary inheriting the Empire? Would Bela unite the administrations? What would be the result of an Arpad dynasty?

(The obvious benefit, IMO - is that it makes an alt-1204 unlikely if the two realms stay together, Venice would be right on the Byzanto-Hungarian border.)
 
Would the Byzantines want a Hungarian King (rather than a second son) to be their Emperor? Would Manuel want his successor to be a foreign king? Religion would surely be an issue.

Assuming Bela is ruling in Hungary when Manuel dies, isn't it possible events on the ground move too quickly before he can respond? People in Constantinople opposed to the idea of a foreign emperor could find some Komnenos relative or other (and there are plenty floating about) to place on the throne. If someone is exalted to the throne in Bela's absence, the question becomes a) whether Bela is secure enough domestically to invade Byzantium and pursue his claims there and b) how much support he can garner amongst the Byzzies- there'll be some vestigial loyalists of Manuel trying to uphold Manuel's wishes regarding the succession, but given Bela's been absent in Hungary for almost a decade he might be lacking in personal connections among the Byzantine aristocrats.

Whether he and Maria have kids they can use to present a secure succession and also betroth off as diplomatic tools would also likely effect how much support they gather.

If nothing else, Andronikos will likely cause trouble.
 
Would the Byzantines want a Hungarian King (rather than a second son) to be their Emperor? Would Manuel want his successor to be a foreign king? Religion would surely be an issue.

Assuming Bela is ruling in Hungary when Manuel dies, isn't it possible events on the ground move too quickly before he can respond? People in Constantinople opposed to the idea of a foreign emperor could find some Komnenos relative or other (and there are plenty floating about) to place on the throne. If someone is exalted to the throne in Bela's absence, the question becomes a) whether Bela is secure enough domestically to invade Byzantium and pursue his claims there and b) how much support he can garner amongst the Byzzies- there'll be some vestigial loyalists of Manuel trying to uphold Manuel's wishes regarding the succession, but given Bela's been absent in Hungary for almost a decade he might be lacking in personal connections among the Byzantine aristocrats.

Whether he and Maria have kids they can use to present a secure succession and also betroth off as diplomatic tools would also likely effect how much support they gather.

If nothing else, Andronikos will likely cause trouble.

Travelling so the reply needs must be brief, I think if Bela III is still her, he will almost certainly hold court in south eastern Hungary. It may even lead to an expansion of a local town or city. Simply to ensure that he can push his claims, and interact closely with roman lords if needs must.

Regardingthe succession? I don't know, but Manuel I certainly thought it was a good idea, but I feel there is likey to be no immediate issue, but the early stages of a problem between the Latin and Greek rites that Bela may not resolve, but leave to a successor.
 
Travelling so the reply needs must be brief, I think if Bela III is still her, he will almost certainly hold court in south eastern Hungary. It may even lead to an expansion of a local town or city. Simply to ensure that he can push his claims, and interact closely with roman lords if needs must.

Would such a relocation and a king so focused on Byzantium cause discontent among the Hungarian lords? Or would a king absent from the traditional centre of power give the aristocracy a chance to defy royal authority and do as they wished? Bela's brother Geza can of course be conjured up as a figurehead of the opposition (depending on whether he's imprisoned ITTL, though even then he could escape).
 
Would such a relocation and a king so focused on Byzantium cause discontent among the Hungarian lords? Or would a king absent from the traditional centre of power give the aristocracy a chance to defy royal authority and do as they wished? Bela's brother Geza can of course be conjured up as a figurehead of the opposition (depending on whether he's imprisoned ITTL, though even then he could escape).

Finally home!

What doesn't cause discontent among Hungarian lords? I think it may certainly upset lords that have benefitted from the centre of power being based in the north - like the lords of Nytria and (Ungvar? I think? My Hungarian geography in regards to duchies isn't my mastermind topic) may certainly complain - but the southern and eastern dukes might support it - having the court move may make many of these regions happy they have the Kings ear, and may have his ear as Emperor in time as well.

As for Geza? He could easily be won over even if he isn't imprisoned - promising to name him Despot of Hungary. It is basically "Here, be King in my place, once I am in Constantinople, and never worry about the southern border because, heyooo I'm there". Chances are that the capital under a Geza Despotate would revert back "in order to protect the Northern Frontier", making it quite distant - but with control over the Danube as a line of communication (perhaps requiring a campaign to ensure the southern Danube is safe from the emerging voivodes of Wallachia), then suddenly Buda isn't that far away from Constantinople - which will benefit Hungary with the Roman economic system being opened up them (even if they wouldn't appreciate it in those terms, just the material benefits afterwards), and make Geza more powerful in respect to his now-vassals. Meanwhile his brother is off using the previously stationed border forces to fight the Turks, perhaps with only a small Hungarian force being asked to assist - if all he has to do is be the voice of co-operation within the aristocracy, and perhaps back his brother in a succession crisis (and potentially become heir to the Empire himself if his brothers family dies) - I think he'd be crazy not to do it.

TL;DR I don't think he'd be a problem, in fact I think he'd be a solution to the aristocrats, and later one of the wealthiest men of his time.
 
Well, until Andrew II, the Hungarian nobility was nowhere that powerful to oppose the king by themselves so that's not a problem, while Geza could be indeed appointed as despot or viceroy of Hungary. Bela/Alexios would not have that much problem with the roman aristocracy either, since Manuel really liked him and supported him, he was quite gifted ruler and also his adoption to the byzantine culture made him much less foreign and hostile in the eyes of romans.
If Bela could establish a lasting dynasty, that would unimaginable change the course of European history, I believe, for the better. (Probably no fourth crusade, much more stabil Balkans and Anatolia, no rise of Ottomans, etc.)
 
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