alternatehistory.com

We all know the story of Stephan and Matilda - and their civil war. They were both claimants to the throne of England. Now we know that Matilda, Stephan and Robert were all grandchildren of William I: Stephan through his daughter, Adele of Normandy. Robert and Matilda were both the children of Henry I of England, but Robert was illegitimate.

Now we know that Stephen gained the throne because the nobles refused to remain true to their oaths to Matilda because she was a woman. Many actually favored Robert, because he was Henry's son, but being illegitimate, he couldn't inherit. SO, my question is, can we butterfly away the illegitimacy? Henry I did have the power to enforce that Robert could inherit the kingdom, as well as ensure that the Pope could give his blessing, or a papal dispensation to ensure Robert could be declared legitimate.

Even if all this happened, would we still have a civil war between rival claimants?
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