Realm Inheritance Woes

[Lapsed Pacifist]

I really just had to vent about this bad experience.

I'm playing as the King of Ireland. My wife has a strong claim on the Duchy of Lancaster, and I push her claim against the King of England.

After a long and very close war, we win, and she becomes an independent Petty Queen of Lancaster, with my son as her heir, meaning he'll inherit both our realms.

But then.

She IMMEDIATELY decides to become a vassal of England- the same country we fought a 5 year war with. Why? God only knows.

And guess what? England has the Regulated Inheritance Law, so now her heir is my youngest son, and my heir (her eldest son!) won't even be able to push his weak claim once he becomes king. So that claim is lost forever.

So nearly an entire game's worth of effort, making the right marriage alliances, getting a wife with the right claims, getting enough cash for mercenaries, and fighting a grueling war for her title, only for the AI to flush it completely down the toilet by bending the knee to THE GUY YOU WERE AT WAR WITH 10 SECONDS AGO.

What's the point of pushing a claim like that if your spouse is going to stupidly re-vassalize themselves like this anyway?

It's not a completely hopeless situation, as I can just Cheat and change her culture or give the King of England horrible traits so she'll say no to becoming a vassal, but I'm really disappointed having to do so, I'm not really sure what to do otherwise.

 

[magnusvejby]

I feel your pain the regulated inheritance law is really annoying. :/

 

[brifbates]

Wait a few years and press your son's claim, he immediately becomes your vassal...

 

[Silversweeeper]

The king of England has got de jure claims, at the very least (and possibly claimants around), which means that he would declare war on her to re-vassalize her/take her land in short order. Swearing fealty means that she avoids that and gets to keep her title (at least for some time). While it fouls up your plans, from a survival standpoint it is a logical move.

 

[Naufragus]

AI spouses need a lot of work IMO. There is an option to form an alliance that might have helped you. But AI spouses rarely do what is in the interest of the "family". They'd still prefer a dynastic heir. They will always do what is best for them in the moment.

The real issue though is which one of you dies first. Thats what causes the real problems. You need to die before her so your son inherits your titles first.

But even then she will gladly marry off your children matrillinialy and favor any new off spring she might have.