CK2 is hands-down the best story generator game I've ever played
King Robert IV of England died in his chambers under suspicious circumstances, so his plans of legitimizing his Bastard Son never came to fruition, leaving the crown unexpectedly to a young Princess Marthe, the first Queen of England. The old King was a terrible womanizer and held 4 lovers in addition to his wife, and fathered many children. Naturally this meant there were several attempts on Marthe's life.
Everyone hated her. Even her own mother the Queen Mother tried to have her assassinated. The pope excommunicated her while she was afflicted with Typhoid Fever. The lack of a powerful monarch meant a few Dukes of England were able to seize much power themselves and they controlled the Council. England was losing its grip on Ireland and her own demesne was suffering from revolts and plagues so money was tight.
Somehow, 10 years later, the Council is basically a rubber-stamp that passes whatever law she pleases, everyone in the realm is loyal to her (even the ones she imprisoned), and Queen Marthe of England is now known as Empress Marthe the Crusader of Britannia, Hero of the Crusade and was granted southern Hispania by the Pope who excommunicated her earlier. From the worst start of a reign to the best monarch I've ever had. And she's only 26.
