BritishOccident
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So, this is the out of character thread for Atlas Occidentia, which can be found in Graphics.
The scenario begins with a simple point of divergence:
Charles is fleeing from the battle of Worcester, having been defeated by Parliamentary forces. In our timeline, he was travelling with Richard Penderel and they decided to go to a mill in Evelith whose proprietor was a royalist. The miller was on high alert, having already hidden several Royalist soldiers in his house. Richard Penderel, in a moment of absentmindedness, entered the site of the mill, and let the gate slam shut behind him. The miller, alarmed, shouted at the two men and demanded them to identify themselves. Afraid, the two men fled.
In this world, Richard was a bit more careful, jumping over the fence instead of using the gate as not to alarm the miller. He came up to the miller and explained the situation. The miller, a fellow Royalist, knew Richard and invited Charles in. While Parliamentary forces had blocked all the crossings over the Severn, the miller, who knew the local waterways, suggested crossing near Apley Hall, as the proprietor (Sir Pryce) had left the Hall to run a castle in Wales.
Charles rushed to cross the swollen Severn the next afternoon (it had been raining the day prior). He was a tall man, so the boat could only hold him. While crossing the Severn, he tried to adjust his shoes, which were too small for him. This action caused the boat to capsize, and he drowned.
Very specific premise, I know. I decided to go with this premise as:
The scenario begins with a simple point of divergence:
Charles is fleeing from the battle of Worcester, having been defeated by Parliamentary forces. In our timeline, he was travelling with Richard Penderel and they decided to go to a mill in Evelith whose proprietor was a royalist. The miller was on high alert, having already hidden several Royalist soldiers in his house. Richard Penderel, in a moment of absentmindedness, entered the site of the mill, and let the gate slam shut behind him. The miller, alarmed, shouted at the two men and demanded them to identify themselves. Afraid, the two men fled.
In this world, Richard was a bit more careful, jumping over the fence instead of using the gate as not to alarm the miller. He came up to the miller and explained the situation. The miller, a fellow Royalist, knew Richard and invited Charles in. While Parliamentary forces had blocked all the crossings over the Severn, the miller, who knew the local waterways, suggested crossing near Apley Hall, as the proprietor (Sir Pryce) had left the Hall to run a castle in Wales.
Charles rushed to cross the swollen Severn the next afternoon (it had been raining the day prior). He was a tall man, so the boat could only hold him. While crossing the Severn, he tried to adjust his shoes, which were too small for him. This action caused the boat to capsize, and he drowned.
Very specific premise, I know. I decided to go with this premise as:
- I could have chosen to have Charles be captured at Boscobel House, which very nearly happened. However, he would've likely been executed, diplomatically isolating Britain from the rest of monarchial Europe. (Executing a monarch is one thing, but executing two is another!)
- The accidental death would have been seen by English Puritans as a judgement by Providence against the monarchy. This would strengthen Cromwell's position as the regime transitioned from Commonwealth to Protectorate.
- This leaves the less popular James York as heir.
- Cromwell has more clout in negotiations with Parliament, the only thing he doesn't get is the title of king itself, as many in the New Model Army still considered that the Kingdom ought to stay in the past. This included two of Cromwell's closest allies, Charles Fleetwood and John Lambert. Cromwell picked Fleetwood to be successor, owing to him marrying his daughter Bridget. This paralleled the Roman system of succession, where son-in-laws were more than likely to be adopted as the official heir.
- With Charles II dead, there is less unrest in Britain. Consequently, Cromwell is able to deploy more troops to his Western Design, conquering Hispaniola (like originally intended) and Jamaica. Sir William Penn and Robert Venables still fight like seven-year-olds, and Penn tries to capture Santiago de Cuba to boost his credibility. It doesn't work, and Venables and Cromwell throws him in the Tower of London. As a side note, his son of the same name becomes a Quaker missionary of little note.
- Because the Western Design is successful, the Rule of Major Generals (which turned much of the population against Cromwell) never happens.
- The British invasion of Acadia still happens, as does the Anglo-Spanish war. However, France is slightly quicker to ally with Britain (especially after a secret exchange of Newfoundland for Acadia). As such, James York is forced to go to the Spanish Netherlands while his less prominent brother Henry is allowed to stay in the Dutch Republic. James still meets the Talbot Brothers, leading to his eventual conversion to Catholicism.
- The Battle of the Dunes turns out the same way as in OTL, allowing England to conquer Dunkirk and crushing James York's attempt to invade Britain.
- Cromwell lives slightly longer, as he doesn't stress about making the decision to become King - he had already chosen Fleetwood as his successor. (Some historians speculate stressing about becoming King may have somewhat shortened Cromwell's lifespan).
- The Naylor Case still occurs, and Cromwell establishes a House of Gentlemen to watch over the Commons (in OTL nobody could agree on the name of the House, but I'm assuming Cromwell has a bit more clout here)
- Britain has a more prominent role in negotiating the Treaty of the Pyrenees. They receive Dunkirk, and the transfer of Jamaica and Hispaniola to Britain is also confirmed. France and Britain gain favored nation status for trade with Spain (which helps Britain more than France due to their maritime power.) Cromwell dies soon after the treaty is enacted.
- Religious tolerance for Protestants improve, especially since many powerful figures allied to Cromwell (and maybe Cromwell himself) are Independents who don't believe in an established church
- More non-conformists, as there is less persecution.
- However, Ireland suffers sustained depopulation, and missionaries actively try to convert the Catholics. Many of the Irish decide to move to pro-Catholic Maryland, with another minority moving to Acadia.
- There is a Calvinist consensus - salvation is predestinated, only believers may be baptized, and things such as music and dancing are seen as sinful. In addition, alcohol is restricted on a spectrum from temperance to complete teetotalism, depending on denomination (Puritans are fine with ale but not drunkedness, whilst Baptists and Quakers don't like alcohol - period). In addition, there is more of a cultural emphasis on hard work as a path to salvation in British culture. The combination of temperance/teetotalism and British ownership of Hispaniola increases the popularity of coffee.
I could go on forever about such 'butterflies', but I feel I should stop here and give you all a chance to comment on your thoughts.