(Based on the Norman conquest)

It's an unstable time in (X kingdom). The king is dead, he had no heirs, and two powers after the throne.

An earl who was weaseling himself in during the kings later years, and the duke/petty king of (y kingdom) across the sea, jack Taylor. A wry and cunning beuracrat vs a brave strong warrior.

And to make it juicier, on top of being promised the crown, were promised to the same woman: you