To an intelligent, articulate woman trapped in the various cliques and power base struggles involved in every dynasty, appealing to unaligned Royalty outside the loop must be a very attractive option. Anyone she did net in this regard would owe loyalty strictly to her.

Wasn't even the only time the ploy was played.

[en.wikipedia.org]
>" Valentinian's sister Honoria, in order to escape her forced betrothal to a Roman senator, had sent the Hunnish king a plea for help—and her engagement ring—in the spring of 450. Though Honoria may not have intended a proposal of marriage, Attila chose to interpret her message as such. He accepted, asking for half of the western Empire as dowry. When Valentinian discovered the plan, only the influence of his mother Galla Placidia convinced him to exile, rather than kill, Honoria. He also wrote to Attila strenuously denying the legitimacy of the supposed marriage proposal. Attila, not convinced, sent an embassy to Ravenna to proclaim that Honoria was innocent, that the proposal had been legitimate, and that he would come to claim what was
> rightfully his."

Jammer



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/2007 11:38AM by Jammer.