Pre-Norman England's capital should be Wessex.

[Mouthwash]

Just pointing out that Harold of Godwin had his court at Winchester. I'd like to see the scenarios altered to reflect this.

 

[DreadLindwyrm]

Capitals were somewhat mobile at this period, with the "court" being wherever the king was at the time.

This continued into Norman times, with Richmond (Yorkshire) being treated as the capital for a while. It's complicated.

 

[Mouthwash]

Even so, the capital placement should reflect the county with the most royal presence at the time. That simply wasn't Middlesex in Anglo-Saxon England.

 

[DreadLindwyrm]

So should it move in later starts when different kings had their "capitals" in the north, or back at Winchester?

 

[Mouthwash]

Probably not, as it would quickly be moved back. My suggestion here is only to give starts extra immersion. If the capital was historically in York for decades but the AI moves it back within a month, that's going to break immersion.

 

[DreadLindwyrm]

Probably not, as it would quickly be moved back. My suggestion here is only to give starts extra immersion. If the capital was historically in York for decades but the AI moves it back within a month, that's going to break immersion.

As things are set, the capital will almost instantly move in a pre 1066 start, since the default capital is still Westminster.

Although...

This would literally affect one start. The 1066 "Battle of Hastings" bookmark. The 769 and 867 starts don't have a united England, and 1066 "William the Conqueror" onwards (theoretically) has the capital at Westminster, except when the king is on a wander or has moved North for a bit (generally temporarily).

 

[Mouthwash]

As things are set, the capital will almost instantly move in a pre 1066 start, since the default capital is still Westminster...

Not until after the wars are over, which does seem passably realistic.