William, the duke of Normandy: 1048 to 1060
Your prestige is mainly found in being the vassal of the king of France. This you discover as you journey to Jerusalem and back. By the time that you return to your domain, king Henry has arranged marriage with a German baron's daughter. Any plans that you might have entertained of marrying Matilda of Flanders, you can forget about. The girl has been betrothed elsewhere in your absence. History records your career as largely uneventful. There is no chance that you can take any advantage of king Edward's erstwhile desire to make his favorite cousin his heir to the throne of England. King Henry would never allow it, and his heir Philip inherits a mighty realm that boxes in Normandy on all sides. Outside of Normandy itself, you are not noticed above other great magnates, subservient to the eminent king of France.
