WI: United Netherlands 100 years earlier?

What if William II Count of Hainault, Zeeland and Holland lives longer and has a son with his wife the duchess of Brabant. How do the unified Netherlands impact the hundred years war and imperial politics? The son of this union would inherit most of the lowlands.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William...unt_of_Hainaut

Would be interseting, how ever it would affect the hundred years war more or less the same as in OTL. This because he most likley pursued his ouwn interested and that of the economic interest of the cities, whihc eventulay paid for his ambitions. Just as happened in OTL. Most interesting will be the dynastic steps he and his parrent will take. Will he marry a kings daugther to increase the political influence and status, or a daughter of a duc or count to increase his bellongings. And then I am thinking of Flandres, Guelders , Cleves, Jullich, Arras etc.
 
This might be interesting, though naturally I would have preferred a Netherlands united under the house of Reginar (Leuven/Brabant) :).

Anyway match with Flanders might have mended the Avesnes-Dampierre feud, which would have been an obstacle for such a match.

In general they probably look for interesting matches, however the kings of France and England and the Holy Roman Emperor (king of the Romans) might not always be interested in such a match.
Whereas marriages in order to inherit might not occur that often (can be random).

The duke of Lothier, Brabant and Limburg; count of Holland, Zeeland and Hainaut will be in a position to play a role in imperial politics, but at the same time will also be very interested in French politics.
 
Interested in French politics, certainly, but it seems to me said person would be far more Empire-focused than the Burgundians; as far as I can tell this initial core would all be in the HRE, and some Counts of Holland had been bigwigs during the whole Imperial mess untill the Golden Bull.
 
Interested in French politics, certainly, but it seems to me said person would be far more Empire-focused than the Burgundians; as far as I can tell this initial core would all be in the HRE, and some Counts of Holland had been bigwigs during the whole Imperial mess untill the Golden Bull.

The dukes of Brabant (Lothier*, Brabant and Limburg) had been bigwigs too. In fact duke Henry II of Brabant originally was the prime candidate to become anti-king of the Romans (the successor of Henry Raspe of Thuringia), but he recommended his nephew count William II of Holland.

(*= continuating of Lower Lorraine/Lotharingia)

A marriage candidate will depend on the PoD and who's available and what do those who are available, have to offer. This doesn't have to be royalty or regional nobility, an heiress of an important imperial or French fief can be just as interesting.
This PoD is too late for an heiress of the county palatine by Rhine.

I mention the county palatine by Rhine, since it is important, prestigious, nearby, yet small enough to keep the main focus on the Low Countries region. It will also ensure an enduring involvement in Imperial politics.
 
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