Chapter 256: Grand Austria
October, 1738
“We know you harbour concerns about the Spanish alliance, Leopold, but we see no other way for ensuring that the French do not try anything that might break the peace.” Joseph said looking at his son.
“I disagree, Your Imperial Majesty. The wording of the treaty is such that it leaves room for us to strike first should the French even so much as look at the Spanish wrong. The French are naturally going to be wary of that. And this is Spain we are speaking of, they have no sense.” His son Leopold replied.
Joseph wanted to laugh, his son spoke truly. Unlike his sister Maria Antonia, her son Leopold I of Spain harboured no common sense, instead everything he did seemed catered toward attracting menace from France. “What would you suggest then? We cannot simply walk away from the alliance now.”
“Why not?” Leopold asked. “We have not agreed to anything other than a basic agreement, which is very vague on terms and conditions.”
Joseph smiled, his son had him there. He’d deliberately made the wording of the treaty vague to ensure that if his son got uncomfortable many years later, he could leave the thing. However, he had not expected having to defend it now. “We still believe the Spanish alliance is beneficial for us. For one thing, it gives us access to their colonies for trade, we’ve seen a suitable increase since we began trading with them without restriction.”
“Through the Spanish agents in Milan, yes, But not through any other means. We both know the Spanish empire is not what it once was. King Leopold has not even managed to successfully reform the Kingdom he rules into one single unitary complete state yet.” Leopold said.
“Which is beneficial to us, because it means we can get more of what we want by playing off the different estates, and showing Leopold just how difficult life could be for him.” Joseph responded.
“And what about when they decide to make it difficult for us? Eventually they will realise what we are doing. What then?” Leopold fired back.
“We figure out a new way to make the alliance work for us.” Joseph replied confidently.
His son snorted. “If you say so, Your Imperial Majesty.” There was a pause and then. “If you insist on keeping the Spanish alliance then we must find a way to prevent the French from succeeding in reforming the League of the Rhine.”
Joseph nodded, when his chancellor had informed him of the French King’s efforts, he’d grown concerned, the League of the Rhine had plagued his father and grandfather and their efforts to bring reform to the Empire before. He would not allow them to do the same here. “Agreed. Palatinate won’t side with the French; they’ve got far too much invested in our continued success. The Elector of Trier might be tempted to join the French; he is a slippery animal. The Elector of Mainz is ours. However, that leaves Hesse, and the Elector Cologne open to changing sides.”
“Isn’t Cologne currently in a dispute with some of his tenants over charity payments?” Leopold asked.
“Yes,” Joseph replied. “Something to do with not giving them enough, or not being able to cover the debts of one of his mistresses.”
“So, perhaps if we offer to pay those debts off he will consider remaining loyal?” Leopold asked.
Joseph considered this for a moment and then replied. “Perhaps, yes. Though there are other ways one can make someone such as Cologne see sense.” Ways which were not always the most gentlemanly either.
Thankfully his son understood. “Of course.”
A silence settled over them for a brief time, as Joseph took a sip of wine and bit back a wince at the pain in his stomach, those were becoming far too common nowadays. He knew he likely didn’t have long left, but he needed to settle a few things before allowing himself to go. “There is one more issue we must discuss before you venture off to Innsbruck.” He said then.
“The marriages of my son and daughter?” Leopold asked.
“Yes.” Joseph nodded. “Personally, we feel that a Spanish marriage for your son Joseph would make the most sense. It would show the Spanish we are serious about the alliance and also put the French on edge.”
“I disagree,” Leopold replied shaking his head. “The Spanish marriage would cause nothing but disquiet both within the Empire and outside it. We need to marry Joseph to someone from within the Empire.”
“Who would you suggest?” Joseph asked his son intrigued.
“Maria Antonia of Bavaria.” Leopold said. “She comes from the second most powerful family in the Empire and they are family to us as well.”
Joseph thought on this for a moment and then said. “Perhaps, though we were going to suggest your daughter Wilhemine be married to the Elector’s son, as a means to keeping the Bavarians closer to us.”
His son looked stuck then. “Then perhaps you are right. A Bavarian marriage for Wilhemine and a Spanish marriage for Joseph. It would keep with the family tradition.”
Joseph smiled at his son. “We think that would work quite nicely.”