3 way French Civl War in 1715

so thought of the day, on his death in 1715 Louis XIV the Sun King had only one legitimate Male heir his 5 year old great Grandson OTL's Louis XV, but what if shortly after the XIV died the XV also died? the next heir is... unclear, Claimant number 1 is OTL's regent for the boy King Louis XV, Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, Claimant number 2 is Louis-Auguste de Bourbon, duc du Maine Louis XV's legitimised bastard son, who Louis XIV's will placed as co-regent with Philippe II and who with his younger brother Louis Alexandre was placed in the line of succession in 1714 (Louis XIV favored the brothers and wanted Duc du Maine to be King) and Claimant number 3 is King Philip V of Spain, grandson of Louis XIV, he forswore his rights to the throne to be King of Spain, but there's doubt if any member of the French succession can do that, and in OTL he stated he'd lead an army from Spain to enforce his rights if the young Louis XV died.
 
I'd say Orléans was in the best position, given how strict the French were on Salic law determining succession. If Philip tries to claim France, then he'll have to fight the French AND outside powers like Austria, and Britain as in the War of the Quadruple Alliance.
 
I'd say Orléans was in the best position, given how strict the French were on Salic law determining succession. If Philip tries to claim France, then he'll have to fight the French AND outside powers like Austria, and Britain as in the War of the Quadruple Alliance.

I agree, though a strict reading of the Salic law favors Maine or Philip V over Orléans.
 
I agree, though a strict reading of the Salic law favors Maine or Philip V over Orléans.

I don't know to be honest, and I should. Was there ever a legitimized heir that was crowned king of France? You're right about the Treaty of Utrecht violating Salic Law, but the balance of power was too much to follow through until geopolitics shifted and made it moot in the 19th century.
 
I don't know to be honest, and I should. Was there ever a legitimized heir that was crowned king of France? You're right about the Treaty of Utrecht violating Salic Law, but the balance of power was too much to follow through until geopolitics shifted and made it moot in the 19th century.

don't know, though the Dukes where in the line, I believe one has, but which I can't now remember
 
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