In our timeline Baldwin I of Jerusalem married an Armenian princess, Arda, but then repudiated her and forced her into a convent. He then married Adelaide del Vasto, mother of Roger II of Sicily, with the provision that Roger woukd inherit tge Kingdom if the marriage remained without offspring.
The marriage was however soon declared void, and Adelaide came back to Sicily, where she died.
Her son, Roger II, didn't forgive his mother's ill-treatment in Jerusalem, and never really supported the crusader state.
Now, what if Arda suffers a convenient accident, so that there is no excuse for voiding the marriage, and in time Roger inherits the KoJ.
Could the Latin Kingdom last longer under a Norman dinasty that has the military and financial resources of Sicily at its back?
The Notmans had also a slightly more stable feudal model and were capable in dealing with Muslim subjects: both are good assets for a King of Jerusalem.
It would be a rather unwieldy Kingdom though, maybe too disparate to be effectively ruled in medieval times. On the other hand, if they manage to control Cyprus too and avoid getting involved too much in Italian affairs, a sort of "maritime Empire" could develop in the E. Mediterranean. Venice and Genoa will definitely not be happy about it, but they could be played one against the other (with the Norman's probably siding with Genoa).
Discuss!
The marriage was however soon declared void, and Adelaide came back to Sicily, where she died.
Her son, Roger II, didn't forgive his mother's ill-treatment in Jerusalem, and never really supported the crusader state.
Now, what if Arda suffers a convenient accident, so that there is no excuse for voiding the marriage, and in time Roger inherits the KoJ.
Could the Latin Kingdom last longer under a Norman dinasty that has the military and financial resources of Sicily at its back?
The Notmans had also a slightly more stable feudal model and were capable in dealing with Muslim subjects: both are good assets for a King of Jerusalem.
It would be a rather unwieldy Kingdom though, maybe too disparate to be effectively ruled in medieval times. On the other hand, if they manage to control Cyprus too and avoid getting involved too much in Italian affairs, a sort of "maritime Empire" could develop in the E. Mediterranean. Venice and Genoa will definitely not be happy about it, but they could be played one against the other (with the Norman's probably siding with Genoa).
Discuss!