List of Alternate Monarchs and Aristocratic Lineage

Alrighty, just sketching out Habsburg TL here:

  • Leopold II (1716-1783) m. Mariana Victoria of Spain (1718-1781)
    • Friedrich IV (1738-1808) m. Maria Josepha of Bavaria (1739-1804)
      • (I couldn't resist) Karl Franz I (1757-1826)
      • Elisabeth Christine (1762-1832)
    • Maria Claudia Johanna (1738-1800) m. Louis XVI* (1729-1789)
      • Here be Bourbons (too lazy to write them in)
    • Gabriela Augusta (1743-1745)
    • Heinrich Maximilian (1746-1819)
    • Ferdinand Wilhelm (1754-1821) m. Maria Amalia of Saxony (1757-1831)
      • Antonia Carolina (1774-1838)
    • Anna Isabella (1775-1836) m. John VI (1767-1826)
*Son of Louis XV

The main POD here is Charles VI's eldest child, Leopold Johann, surviving his infancy and becoming Holy Roman Emperor. Another one I threw in was OTL Louis XVI's father surviving his brush with smallpox. This is still a major work in progress, so feel free to critique as you wish.
As @Kellan Sullivan told you name of kids are weird (daughters would have Maria as first name and as second/third: Elisabeth/Isabella, Theresa, Christine, Anna, Amalia, Caroline, Antonia, Josepha, Johanna, Victoria, possibly Margaret, Eleanor and Magdalena) and Mariana would not have any of her kids marrying in France if she can prevent it (and truly she had very good reason for that) AND France will not shop in Austria for brides now (matches for Louis XVI can be princesses of Spain, Portugal, Saxony or Bavaria). Austria will look to Bavaria, Saxony, Spain, Portugal, Naples, Lorraine, Tuscany, Modena, Savoy or Parma (but can take in consideration also German Protestant princesses for the boys) for matches (Naples is really likely if OTL Charles III of Spain is King of Naples after marrying Leopold’s sister Maria Theresia).

Claudia, Gabriela, Augusta, Friedrich, Wilhelm, Henrich are simply not Habsburg names (and ATL neither Francis is).
Habsburg boys will be called Charles, Leopold, Ferdinand, Maximilian, Johann (Anton, Stephen, Rudolf, Matthias, Albert, Philip, Francis, Wenzel, Sigismund, Peter, Alexander can be used as second/third names or for younger boys as first two/three will have more traditional names)


(Edit: I know who existed an Archduchess names Claudia, who was the second wife of Leopold I but her name came from the Medici’s side of the family so do not count as Habsburg name)
 
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(and ATL neither Francis is).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigismund_Francis,_Archduke_of_Austria
Born in Vienna on 8 September 1633, and baptised as Ferdinand Franz, Ferdinand IV was the eldest son of Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor and his first wife Maria Anna, the daughter of Philip III of Spain.
and Maximilian I's second son was likewise named "Franz" and

Archduke Charles (baptized Carolus Franciscus Josephus Wenceslaus Balthasar Johannes Antonius Ignatius), the second son of the Emperor Leopold I and of his third wife, Princess Eleonor Magdalene of Neuburg, was born on 1 October 1685.

So Franz is a likely name. Just likely that it'll end up as a second name rather than a first
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigismund_Francis,_Archduke_of_Austria

and Maximilian I's second son was likewise named "Franz" and



So Franz is a likely name. Just likely that it'll end up as a second name rather than a first
Thanks, I added it back in the list of possible second names (I had put it there, then taken away as I was unable to remember proper Habsburg with Francis in the name and Maria Theresia here will not marry the Duke of Lorraine who is thus an unlikely godfather)
 
Griffite duke Barnim V has son and daughter with his wife Hedwig of Lithuania (who was daughter of Tautvilas, Vytautas' brother). Daughter of Barnim later marries Jogaila instead of Elżbieta Granowska.

Barnim V (1369-1403) Duke of Słupsk m. 1396 Hedwig of Lithuania

1) Bogislav IX (1398-1423) Duke of Słupsk

2) Anna (1400-1455) m. 1417 Vladislaus II Jogaila (ca 1360-1434) King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania

1) Vladislaus III (1419-1475) Grand Duke of Lithuania, King of Poland 1434-1475 m. 1436 Dorothea of Brandenburg (1420-1491)

1) Vladislaus (1439)

2) Hedwig (1441-1497) m. 1456 Ladislaus V (1440-1457) King of Bohemia and Hungary
3) Anna (1444-1449)

4) Elizabeth (1446-1498) m. 1466 Albert III (1443-1500) Duke of Saxony

5) Vladislaus IV (1448-1506) Grand Duke of Lithuania, King of Poland 1475-1506 m. 1477 Sophia of Pomerania (1460-1504)

6) Casimir (1450-1458)

7) Frederick (1453-1474)​

2) Casimir (1421-1422)

3) Casimir (1424-1453)​
 
Based on this thread, WI Ferdinand III lives longer thus Leopold marries Minnette and Charles marries Hortense.

Charles I (b. 1600 r.1624 d.1649) m. Henrietta Maria of France (1609 - 1669)
  1. Charles James, Duke of Cornwall (1629)
  2. Charles II (1630 - 1685) m. Hortense Mancini (1646 - 1699)
    1. Charles (1661 - 1662)
    2. Charles, Prince of Wales (1663 - 1701)
    3. James, Duke of Gloucester (1665 - 1722)
    4. Henrietta Maria, Princess Royal (1666 - 1731)
    5. Henry, Duke of Cambridge (1669 - 1679)
    6. Mary (1672 - 1675)
    7. Philip, Duke of Kendal (1673 - 1749)
    8. Paul Julius, Duke of Cleveland (1677 - 1740)
    9. Mary Charlotte (1678 - 1752)
  3. Mary, Princess Royal (1631-1660) m. William II, Prince of Orange (1626 - 1650)
    1. William III, Prince of Orange (1650 - 1702)
  4. James, Duke of York (1633 - 1701) m. Catherine of Braganza (1638 - 1705)
  5. Elizabeth (1635 - 1650)
  6. Anne (1637 - 1640)
  7. Catherine (1639)
  8. Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1640 - 1660)
  9. Henrietta (1644 - 1670) m. Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor (1640 - 1705)
    1. Stillborn son (1662)
    2. Ferdinand Wenzel (1667 - 1751)
    3. Karl Leopold (1667 - 1711)
 
I think that in Vienna Henriette would have no reason to get nervous anorexia, thus can live longer than OTL:) Otherwise, it's fine.
 
I think that in Vienna Henriette would have no reason to get nervous anorexia, thus can live longer than OTL:) Otherwise, it's fine.

She'd also probably manage more kids, wouldn't she? Imean Leopold was NOTHING if not DEDICATED to that if one looks at his wives' pregnancies (wife no. 1 was pregnant six times in their brief marriage for instance). I don't think she would birth twin boys in 1667 and Leopold would say "job done" like Monsieur and Liselotte did OTL. Habsburgs as a general rule had rather large families (more than just two kids)
 
She'd also probably manage more kids, wouldn't she? Imean Leopold was NOTHING if not DEDICATED to that if one looks at his wives' pregnancies (wife no. 1 was pregnant six times in their brief marriage for instance). I don't think she would birth twin boys in 1667 and Leopold would say "job done" like Monsieur and Liselotte did OTL. Habsburgs as a general rule had rather large families (more than just two kids)
And no reason for large pause between 1662 and 1667. He had no problem f*cking his barely of age niece to death (not actual rape traumas, but repeated pregnancies), why being gentle on distantly related English Princess?
 
And no reason for large pause between 1662 and 1667. He had no problem f*cking his barely of age niece to death (not actual rape traumas, but repeated pregnancies), why being gentle on distantly related English Princess?

Precisely my point. I read somewhere that Margarita Teresa was actually something like 5/6mos pregnant when she died. Not to mention that I think Leopold will be a softer touch as a husband than the holy terror Monsieur was to Minette (I mean, he seems to have had some genuine affection from the first two from what I can make out, that he returned). And less stress from having to deal with Monsieur's tantrums/jealousies/mignons means Minette might have a "happier" marriage than OTL. More pressure on her to produce a male heir, definitely, but also a calmer environment (to say nothing of a less-relate husband/wife), which means that both she and Leopold may fare better in the children arena than OTL.

Unless she goes too far in her religious observances (à la Katherine of Aragon) and fasts herself to the point of starvation, she should overall be happier as empress than as duchesse d'Orléans. And even if she only produces daughters like OTL, there'll be some obliging Habsburg uncle/cousin for them to wed no doubt.
 
.

Unless she goes too far in her religious observances (à la Katherine of Aragon) and fasts herself to the point of starvation
This would be a major OOC for her, unless she tries to please certain circles used to religiously fanatical Spanish Empresses, but I think that people like Leopold Wilhelm (the person who presumably would be arranging her match) and Empress Dowager Eleonore Gonzaga would talk her out of this stupidity.
 
HRE Ferdinand II has kids with his second wife.

Eleanor Gonzaga (1598-1655) m. 1622 Ferdinand II (1578-1637) Holy Roman Emperor

1) Eleanor (1623-1626)

2) Maria Magdalene (1625-1677) m. a) 1645 Vladislaus IV (1595-1648) King of Poland b) 1649 John II Casimir (1609-1672) King of Poland

3) Maximilian Albert (1628-1685) m. 1669 Claudia Felicitas of Tyrol (1653-1683)

Archduchess Maria Magdalene as replacement for Marie Louise Gonzaga seems likely. Just like her French cousin she has Palailogos blood, that was important for Władysław IV in his insane plans to restore Byzantine Empire.
Maximilian Albert may join clergy, but once Tyrolean branch dies in male line he seeks for release from the vows (should not be problem for Habsburg) and marries Tyrolean heiress (Leopold is still married to his first wife at the time, wouldn't he let uncle, who is only male Habsburg besides him and Charles II of Spain, to inherit Tyrol?)
 
Based on this thread, WI Ferdinand III lives longer thus Leopold marries Minnette and Charles marries Hortense.

Charles I (b. 1600 r.1624 d.1649) m. Henrietta Maria of France (1609 - 1669)
  1. Charles James, Duke of Cornwall (1629)
  2. Charles II (1630 - 1685) m. Hortense Mancini (1646 - 1699)
    1. Charles (1661 - 1662)
    2. Charles, Prince of Wales (1663 - 1701)
    3. James, Duke of Gloucester (1665 - 1722)
    4. Henrietta Maria, Princess Royal (1666 - 1731)
    5. Henry, Duke of Cambridge (1669 - 1679)
    6. Mary (1672 - 1675)
    7. Philip, Duke of Kendal (1673 - 1749)
    8. Paul Julius, Duke of Cleveland (1677 - 1740)
    9. Mary Charlotte (1678 - 1752)
  3. Mary, Princess Royal (1631-1660) m. William II, Prince of Orange (1626 - 1650)
    1. William III, Prince of Orange (1650 - 1702)
  4. James, Duke of York (1633 - 1701) m. Catherine of Braganza (1638 - 1705)
  5. Elizabeth (1635 - 1650)
  6. Anne (1637 - 1640)
  7. Catherine (1639)
  8. Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1640 - 1660)
  9. Henrietta (1644 - 1670) m. Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor (1640 - 1705)
    1. Stillborn son (1662)
    2. Ferdinand Wenzel (1667 - 1751)
    3. Karl Leopold (1667 - 1711)
Like @Kellan Sullivan and @Valena I think who Henrietta’s death date and number of pregnancies are pretty unlikely here. She will die later and would have more children (I suggest you to base a pattern of pregnancies on thats of Leopold’s OTL wives or Henrietta’s own mother) unless she died in childbirth
 
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HRE Ferdinand II has kids with his second wife.

Eleanor Gonzaga (1598-1655) m. 1622 Ferdinand II (1578-1637) Holy Roman Emperor

1) Eleanor (1623-1626)

2) Maria Magdalene (1625-1677) m. a) 1645 Vladislaus IV (1595-1648) King of Poland b) 1649 John II Casimir (1609-1672) King of Poland

3) Maximilian Albert (1628-1685) m. 1669 Claudia Felicitas of Tyrol (1653-1683)

Archduchess Maria Magdalene as replacement for Marie Louise Gonzaga seems likely. Just like her French cousin she has Palailogos blood, that was important for Władysław IV in his insane plans to restore Byzantine Empire.
Maximilian Albert may join clergy, but once Tyrolean branch dies in male line he seeks for release from the vows (should not be problem for Habsburg) and marries Tyrolean heiress (Leopold is still married to his first wife at the time, wouldn't he let uncle, who is only male Habsburg besides him and Charles II of Spain, to inherit Tyrol?)
Possible, specially as Leopold and Margarita’s children are also heirs presuntive of Spain... If Claudia is already married I guess who Leopold will go directly from wife1 to wife3 (as Eleonore Magdalene of Neuburg in OTL was also a candidate for wife2)
 
Possible, specially as Leopold and Margarita’s children are also heirs presuntive of Spain... If Claudia is already married I guess who Leopold will go directly from wife1 to wife3 (as Eleonore Magdalene of Neuburg in OTL was also a candidate for wife2)
Also, if Archduke Maximilian Albert has a son with Claudia Felicitas, that son is obvious candidate to marry Maria Antonia.
 
For a TL I’m planning, with Leopold of Saxe-Coburg dying at the Battle of Kulm and the consequences with the house of hanover;

  • Charlotte I B.1796 D. 1869 m. William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh B. 1776 D.1831
    • William IV B.1817 D.1890 m. Auguste of Hesse-Kassel B.1823 D.1898
      • William, Prince of Wales B. 1843 D. 1870
    • George V B. 1819 D.1901 M. Marie of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel B. 1828 D. 1904
      • George VI B. 1846 D. 1923 m. Thyra of Denmark B.1853 D.1933
        • George, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh B. 1881 D.1900
        • Henry IX B.1883 D. 1947 m. Isabella, Infanta of Spain
 
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Based on this thread, WI Ferdinand III lives longer thus Leopold marries Minnette and Charles marries Hortense.

Charles I (b. 1600 r.1624 d.1649) m. Henrietta Maria of France (1609 - 1669)
  1. Charles James, Duke of Cornwall (1629)
  2. Charles II (1630 - 1685) m. Hortense Mancini (1646 - 1699)
    1. Charles (1661 - 1662)
    2. Charles, Prince of Wales (1663 - 1701) m. Maria Sophia of Neuberg (1666 - 1709)
      1. Charles (1688 - 1693)
      2. Elizabeth (1692 -1737)
      3. Mary Hortense (1693 - 1775)
      4. Sophia (1696 - 1707)
      5. Anne (1698 - 1701)
      6. Charles (1700 - 1777)
    3. James, Duke of Gloucester (1665 - 1722) m. Isabel Luisa, Princess of Beira (1669 - 1690)
      1. Isabella Louise (1690 - 1712)
      2. Charles Peter, Duke of Richmond (1690 - 1714)
    4. Henrietta Maria, Princess Royal (1666 - 1731) m. Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia (1666 - 1732)
      1. Victor Amadeus (1685 - 1695)
      2. Charles Emmanuel (1689 - 1769)
      3. Maria Adelaide (1690 - 1769)
      4. Emmanuel Philibert (1695 - 1759)
      5. Victor Amadeus (1700 - 1721)
      6. Maria Anna (1702 - 1715)
      7. Maria Hortense (1704 - 1782)
    5. Henry, Duke of Cambridge (1669 - 1679)
    6. Mary (1672 - 1675)
    7. Philip, Duke of Kendal (1673 - 1749) m. Elisabeth Charlotte of Orange (1676 - 1724)
      1. Elizabeth Charlotte (1697 - 1773)
      2. Hortense (1699 - 1754)
      3. Mary (1699 - 1768)
      4. Charles, Duke of Portsmouth (1702 - 1758)
      5. Anne (1705 - 1780)
      6. Henrietta (1710 - 1776)
      7. Catherine (1713 - 1726)
    8. Paul Julius, Duke of Cleveland (1677 - 1740) m. Diana de Vere (1679 - 1742)
      1. Diana (1696 - 1774)
      2. Hortense (1700 - 1715)
      3. Stillborn daughter (1704)
      4. Mary (1707 - 1744)
    9. Mary Charlotte (1678 - 1752) m. Frederick IV of Denmark (1671 - 1730)
      1. Christian (1697 - 1713)
      2. Frederick Charles (1697 - 1710)
      3. Charlotte Amalie (1700 - 1745)
      4. George (1702 - 1708)
      5. Mary Hortense (1704 - 1757)
      6. Christiana Amalia (1707 - 1759)
      7. Anne Frederica (1709 - 1773)
      8. Frederik (1711 - 1770)
      9. George (1711 - 1763)
  3. Mary, Princess Royal (1631-1660) m. William II, Prince of Orange (1626 - 1650)
    1. William III, Prince of Orange (1650 - 1702) m. Elisabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate
      1. William (1673 - 1733)
      2. Elisabeth Charlotte (1676 - 1724)
      3. Maurice (1679 - 1752)
      4. Mary (1679 - 1692)
      5. Anne (1682 - 1717)
      6. Amalia (1684 - 1727)
  4. James, Duke of York (1633 - 1701) m. Catherine of Braganza (1638 - 1705)
  5. Elizabeth (1635 - 1650)
  6. Anne (1637 - 1640)
  7. Catherine (1639)
  8. Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1640 - 1660)
  9. Henrietta (1644 - 1680) m. Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor (1640 - 1705)
    1. Stillborn son (1662)
    2. Ferdinand Wenzel (1667 - 1751) m. Marie Therese of France (1667 - 1697)
      1. Leopold (1687)
      2. Maria Theresia (1690 - 1739)
      3. Ferdinand Ludwig (1692 - 1776)
      4. Maria Henrietta (1695)
      5. Leopold Wenzel (1696 - 1741)
    3. Karl Leopold (1667 - 1711) m. Anna Maria Luisa de'Medici (1667 - 1743)
      1. Karl Leopold (1692 - 1708)
      2. Margaretha Louisa (1694 - 1727)
      3. Cosimo (1695 - 1703)
      4. Leopold (1698 - 1740)
      5. Johann (1699 - 1780)
      6. Maria Henrietta (1702 - 1706)
      7. Ferdinand (1705 - 1713)
    4. Maria Antonia (1670 - 1700) m. Maximilian II, Elector of Bavaria (1662 - 1726)
      1. Maria Henrietta Caroline (1689 - 1759)
      2. Maria Anna Antonia (1690 - 1766)
      3. Maria Maximiliana (1692 - 1700)
      4. Leopold Ferdinand (1695 - 1721)
      5. Anton (1700 - 1704)
    5. Maria Anna Henrietta (1671 - 1746) m. Peter II of Portugal (1648 - 1706)
      1. Stillborn boy (1688)
      2. John (1689 - 1743)
      3. Francisco (1693 - 1700)
      4. Antonio (1695 - 1734)
      5. Maria Ana (1697 - 1720)
      6. Manuel (1698 - 1732)
      7. Teresa Maria (1700 - 1768)
      8. Francisca (1701 - 1753)
    6. Henrietta Maria Josepha (1675 - 1684)
    7. Maria Josepha Clementina (1679 - 1742), Governor of the Austrian Netherlands
    8. Maria Christina (1680 - 1736), An Abbess
An updated descendent list.
 
John Sigismund Zapolya lives longer

John Sigismund I* (1540-1598) anti-king of Hungary 1559-1571, Duke of Transylvania 1571-1598, Grand Duke of Lithuania, King of Poland 1573-1598 m. 1574 Maximiliana Maria of Bavaria (1552-1614)

1) Sigismund Maximilian (1575-1577)

2) Vladislaus (1577-1581)

3) Sigismund Augustus II (1579-1629) Duke of Transylvania, Grand Duke of Lithuania King of Poland 1598-1629 m. 1604 Constance of Austria (1588-1632)

1) Anna Isabella (1607-1608)​

4) Isabella (1582-1588)

5) Anna (1586-1641) m. 1606 William Frederick** (1585-1625) Duke of Prussia, Margrave of Bayreuth and Ansbach

1) Sigismund William (1607-1609)

2) Albert Frederick (1609-1612)

3) John Sigismund II (1610-1665) Duke of Prussia, Margrave of Bayreuth and Ansbach 1625-1665, Grand Duke of Lithuania, King of Poland 1629-1665 m. a) 1632 Cecilia Renata of Austria (1611-1644) b) 1647 Isabella Clara of Austria-Tirol (1629-1685)

1a) Vladislaus Sigismund (1633-1637)

2a) John Ferdinand I (1635-1689) Duke of Prussia, Grand Duke of Lithuania, King of Poland 1665-1689

3a) Anna Christina (1637-)

4a) Isabella Maria (1640-)

5b) Sigismund Leopold (1649-1699) Margrave of Ansbach

7b) Anna Claudia (1651-1715)

8b) John Vladislaus (1653)

9b) Casimir Alexander (1654-1708) Margrave of Bayreuth

10b) Cecilia Hedwig (1659-1687)​

4) Anna Maria (1614)
* As there are two monarchs named Sigismund Augustus and two monarchs named John Sigismund within few decades Poland adopts custom of using double royal names, like it was common in HRE.

** Surviving son of Albert Frederick of Prussia.
 
Sophia of the Palatinate, b. 1630, d. 1714, m. Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover, d. 1698
a) George Ludwig, b. 1660, d. 1675 (i)
b) Frederick Augustus, b. 1661, d. 1690
c) Maximillian William, Maximillian I of Great Britain, b. 1666, r. 1714-1726, m. Sophie Hedwig of Denmark and Norway, b. 1677, d. 1735 (ii)
1) William IV, b. 1710, r. 1726-1760 (Regency under Queen Sophie 1726-1728), prev. Duke of Gloucester (1710 to 1714) then Prince of Wales (1714 to 1726), m. Wilhemina of Saxony (iv)​
d) Christian Henry, Elector of Hanover, b. 1671, r. 1698-1703, never married
e) Sophia Charlotte, Queen of Prussia, b. 1668, d. 1705, m. Frederick I of Prussia, 1657, d. 1713
1) Frederick William I of Prussia, b. 1688, d. 1740, m. Johanna of Brandenburg Schwedt, b. 1700, d. 1768 (v)
a) Frederick II of Prussia, b. 1718, d. 1786
b) Augustus William, Elector of Hanover, b. 1722, r. 1728-1758​
f) Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover, Prince Bishop of Osnabruck, b. 1654, r. 1703-1728 (iii)​




(i) Ernest Augustus takes George Ludwig with him on campaign in the Franco-Dutch War. George Ludwig unexpectedly dies.
(ii) Maximillian William challenged Ernest Augustus on inheritance laws in Hanover, which would have seen Frederick Augustus as the Electors some heir. As a result, Ernest Augustus is excluded from the line of succession in Hanover, but remains his mother's heir according to the Act of Settlement on the grounds he converts back to Protestantism. He later marries Sophia Hedwig who had her engagement to the Elector of Saxony broken off and refused to marry the future Emperor Joseph I as she would not convert.
(iii) After the death of the childless Ernest Augustus, the Electorate of Hanover is in danger of becoming extinct, so he adopts his sister's grandson, Augustus William of Prussia, who becomes the next Elector
iv) IOTL, John George IV of Saxony had no children with his wife, Erdmuthe, prior to her death in 1694. Here he has a son, b. 1693, the future John George V of Saxony, who in turn has a daughter - Wilhemina.
v) Johanna is an ATL daughter of Philip William, Margrave of Brandenburg Schwedt, and his wife Johanna of Anhault Desau. The pair married in 1699. Philip William was the brother of Frederick I of Prussia.
 
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(ii) Maximillian William challenged Ernest Augustus on inheritance laws in Hanover, which would have seen Frederick Augustus as the Electors some heir. As a result, Ernest Augustus is excluded from the line of succession in Hanover, but remains his mother's heir according to the Act of Settlement on the grounds he converts back to Protestantism. He later marries Sophia Hedwig who had her engagement to the Elector of Saxony broken off and refused to marry the future Emperor Joseph I as she would not convert.

1. As pointed out in several other threads, Sophie's eldest son, whether George, Friedrich August (in fact, any of them EXCEPT the youngest) will marry Sophie Dorothea of Celle to get their hands on what dad had gifted her mother. The Hannoverians had accepted the marriage of the duke of Celle as morganatic, but then Georg Wilhelm caused a lot of bad blood by essentially ignoring that understanding IIRC.

1.1. establishing primogeniture rather than subdividing the duchies amongst his sons was Ernst August's way of prepping the state for electoral status. If the succession is still a mess and Leopold wants to create an extra electorate, Württemberg is another fair sized state (as is Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel - traditional rivals of the Hannover branch). One of them will do just as well.

1.2. An electorate CANNOT, under imperial law, be partitioned or shared or the succession altered WITHOUT consent of the emperor. So, Max would succeed as elector in 1698 as Maximilian I of Hannover. (It's not like anyone can know in 1698 that Queen Anne will die childless or William III won't remarry) and then, in 1714, as King of England if his mom still predeceases Anne (and her death OTL was a fluke - pneumonia from being caught in a thunderstorm and raining wet, her health before that was excellent. Far better than Anne's. So she might even make anything like 1716-20 without a problem).

1.3. It likewise CANNOT pass down the female line, so an electorate of Hannover passing to a Hohenzollern second son is ASB. If there is no heir, the electorate goes extinct (see examples of the Wittelsbachs later in the century. Karl Theodor inherited the Bavarian electorate even though he was a way distant male-line cousin and the elector of Saxony would've had a better claim).

2.1. Max converted to Catholicism in the 1690s. Much to Sophie's regret and dismay. I'm not saying he will do so here, but if his reasons were for more than simple ambition (he was in imperial service and his conversion was to facilitate his advancement), then suddenly Brandenburg is the only Protestant secular elector left standing.

2.2. Sophie Hedwig, by the mid-1700s is a piss poor choice for a bride. She was nearly/over 30yo with THREE failed betrothals behind her (to Carl XII, to Johann Georg IV of Saxony and to Joseph I). At the same time, if Max is Catholic, she's probably going to use the same line to refuse to marry him as she did with Joe. She won't convert. If, for some unknown reason, Sophie Dorothea of Celle is unavailable (I suspect she might be happier with the handsome Gustien of Hannover who resembled Prince Rupert than "that pig-snout" (as she termed George I) and you want a Scandinavian bride for Max, Hedwig or Ulrike of Sweden (sisters of Carl XII) WERE actually considered for George II at this time). Otherwise, a Catholic match might be made with one of Joseph I's spinster sisters (Maria Elisabeth, maybe).
 
Polish Habsburgs (Archduke Ernst won election in 1573):

Ernest I (1553-1614) King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania 1573-1614 m. 1579 Isabella of Sweden* (1564-1616)

1) Anna (1582-1634) m. 1597 Philip III (1578-1621) King of Spain

2) Catherine (1583-1598)

3) Sigismund II (1585-1638) King of Bohemia and Hungary, Holy Roman Emperor 1612-1638 m. 1616 Isabella of Spain** (1600-1649)

4) Vladislaus (1587-1592)

5) Maximilian I (1589-1620) Grand Duke of Lithuania, King of Poland 1614-1620

6) John II (1591-1650) Grand Duke of Lithuania, King of Poland 1620-1650 m. 1625 Maria Anna of Styria (1610-1665)

7) Vladislaus (1595)

* Surviving oldest daughter of John III Vasa and Catherine Jagiellon

** Daughter of Philip III and Anna of Poland

Ernst is oldest of Rudolf II's brothers, although being almost 60 when Rudolf dies and already king I find it likely that Ernst would secure Bohemian, Hungarian and Imperial thrones for oldest son instead of taking it for himself.

Next generation coming soon.
 
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