WI: No Duchy of Schleswig

[Sian]

What would happen if the Duchy of Schleswig was never made into a fiefdom by the Danish Kings in early 12th century.

It would probably lessen some of the disputes that where in the area, both between the Danish kings and the Duke and his north germanic allies, and between Denmark and HRE in general, as the lack of the former alliances between the Duke and the other North Germanic counts/dukes, would mean that there were fewer claims around to get frisky for combat about.

In turn, (ignoring butterflies for now), this might lead to a (even) stronger Denmark doing the Kalmar union which might lead to Sweden either never trying to regain their Independence, or Denmark managing to suppress it, with equal amounts additional military and a stronger economy to make small concessions to individual nobles to keep them happy

 

[Bastiram]

A wild guess, but probably german influence in the area, since you probably avoid the intermarriage between Holstein and Schleswig.
The big one is no Ribe-Treaty in 1460. Would the Danish king still become count/duke of Holstein, if no, Christian IV which obviously is butterflied, but a monarch that get the same bright idea, can't go to war as duke of Holstein.

 

[Janprimus]

The duchy of Schleswig started out as an appanage give to a younger Royal son, which could lead to a cadet branch. Like Burgundy in France, Schleswig was a bit larger than an ordinary appanage, almost like a secundogeniture.
On the short run in that period, not granting younger sons a part of the inheritance, might actually increase disputes, since younger sons, who were denied a rightful share, would have been a source of unrest.

As for Sweden, never at least trying to regain their independence, that IMHO is a stretch, they likely have a smaller chance of success, but I doubt it would never happen at all.

 

[Sian]

The duchy of Schleswig started out as an appanage give to a younger Royal son, which could lead to a cadet branch. Like Burgundy in France, Schleswig was a bit larger than an ordinary appanage, almost like a secundogeniture.
On the short run in that period, not granting younger sons a part of the inheritance, might actually increase disputes, since younger sons, who were denied a rightful share, would have been a source of unrest.

Then instead of giving Schleswig to a younger son, what if they were given parts or all of, what nowadays is the North Jutlandic Island? With the naval capabilities that Denmark had they'd still be able to support the king as need be, but they would be in a less than great position in terms of potential revolting as they'd have their back against the sea with no neighboring allies. Of cause while well known, such a reasoning would never be vocalized.

 

[Sian]

Anyone else willing to take a swing at this?

 

[arctic warrior]

Originally during Viking age Slesvig was an Earl (Jarl)dom with a kings man ruling. Stick to that and do as was the case at times during the Middle Ages give apanages to the kings sons in other parts on the fringes of the kings lands; Halland and Västra Götaland both had the pleasure at times as had other parts of the kingdom.
North Jutland would be the worst proposition of all the Jutland nobility being probably those most often in rebellion against the king.
The real problem with Slesvig I think is that it originally was a very important and rich area so the second son would of course see it as the prime piece of attainable real estate.

If the kings realized the importance early on and realized the very possible aim by any son getting Slesvig as a inheritable fief would make for trouble in the worst spot possible on the border with the HREGN - and there ought to be plenty examples around Europe to make the point - Denmark would have quite another relationship with Germany.
It would serve to make for a much more stable border which would preempt much of the attempts of Holstein counts of getting a foot into the door. It would make for much less trouble at times when the king had designs on stuff like Norway and Sweden or other areas around the Baltic.
It might off course too serve as a jumping off spot for the kings campaigns in Northern Germany and he would probably still want to establish a security cordon as the Danish kings used to want to do though ITTL might have much better resources available for doing just such.
It could of course backfire as the German princes might gang-up on Denmark but then Denmark would always be able to count on the Slesvig resources.
Holstein is of course interesting as Valdemar II conquered that 1203 and without the continued stirring of the German princes by the Duke of Slesvig against the king Denmark could be able to hold this for a much longer time. However such considerations may well be butterflied away by previous events.