] I thought I'd just throw this in to the mix...it makes things more complicated, not less, but some of you might like to think about it anyway.

No, I like complicated. ;-) But have quibble (as you knew I would!)

] He gets elected king, probably on the grounds of being a decent strong- man, and as sort-of-regent for Hamlet.

Ok, but isn't Hamlet of age? Why would he need a regent? Why wouldn't the lands, excepting the dower, go to him?

] He also marries Gert...which negates her widowhood, and as we all know from understandng inheritance in JA, takes control of all of the Hamlet family posessions.

Again, of her dower property, not Hamlet's - that should still go to him.