I was doing some periodical browsing on the Wiki and I came across an interesting tidgit regarding Sigismund II of Poland. Before his second marriage to Barbara Raditzwill and before Catherine of Austria came into the picture, in 1546, he was also interested in two potential English brides: the first being the Princess Mary, and the second being Catherine Willoughby. My biography on Mary mentions nothing of the match, and I can't fathom why Sigismund would pay court to a random English noblewoman, especially considering she was not especially wealthy.
Poland at this time was in a rather difficult position; Sigismund had wished to marry his Calvinist mistress, but there was a lot of domestic discontent as it had just lost his first wife and the Austrian court was fuming. Although he did marry her, they had no children and he was soon forced to reconcile with the Habsburgs, marrying the Archduchess Catherine (his sister in law from his first marriage!) All his marriages were childless and much like Henry VIII, he sought ways out of his third marriage for the same reason Henry had wanted his first annulled: because he had married two sisters and thus believed he would have no progeny because it was incestuous.
This could be have some interesting effects in Poland. What if instead of marrying Radizwill he decides that he'll go his own way and break from the domineering Catholic church? Poland had a growing Protestant movement; German immigrants favored Lutheranism while native Poles embraced Calvinism. The Tolerant Jagiellons let them do as they pleased; it was the Vasa who wiped out these vibrant communities. Perhaps Sigismund tires of all these petty politics and threats of whom he should marry. If Barbara dies a little earlier, perhaps before they can marry, it gives an added incentive. Say he makes contact with Henry VIII to get some tips on what to do, and possibly a new Queen as well.
Henry is close to dying in 1546; he could certainly decide his eldest daughter needs a good marriage and selects Sigismund, to see her finally married. But I'm not sure if he'd do so: after all, prepping his children for their futures was not really Henry's strong point. Still, at 29, Mary isn't that old (old for traditional marriage game, but not too old to have progeny).
She's also closer to Sigismund II's age, who'd be 26. Only downsides, if he's in a reforming mood, she's going to be unlikely to want to marry him; secondly, Henry was super stingy. Even at the height of his wealth, he only offered to give Francis I 40,000 ducats for Mary's hand. This is is a pauper's dowry. Sigismund might get offended.
Pros: close age, she's royal. She's in the Act of Succession; a second son could easily becoming King of England and Ireland.
Cons: Super Catholic. Probably unwiling to leave England. Shitty dowry. She had health issues even when young, esp related to her period. May not be able to have children, but again, her issues were mostly painful periods, not infertility. May put her position in the succession at stake.
Now, Catherine. She's the daughter of William Willoughby, the Baron of Wiloughby de Ersby. Her mother is Maria de Salinas, one of Katherine of Aragon's old maids of honors. She's the same age as the King, 26. So not super young and definitely capable of children. She also became an outspoken Protestant and for a time lived in Poland.
Pros: close age, Protestant.
Cons: She's not exactly royal, but Henry may offer her a dowry and it'd still bring a connection to England. She'd also bring property connections to her new husband, so extra income. Of course, it may only be for her life; the 1421 statue forbids foreigners from owning property in England (this was Henry's reasoning to exclude Margaret's line from the throne).
Either way, a definitely interesting bride choice. Even more so should Edward kick the bucket IOTL. Poland isn't a Spain, but Sigismund may make good
Poland at this time was in a rather difficult position; Sigismund had wished to marry his Calvinist mistress, but there was a lot of domestic discontent as it had just lost his first wife and the Austrian court was fuming. Although he did marry her, they had no children and he was soon forced to reconcile with the Habsburgs, marrying the Archduchess Catherine (his sister in law from his first marriage!) All his marriages were childless and much like Henry VIII, he sought ways out of his third marriage for the same reason Henry had wanted his first annulled: because he had married two sisters and thus believed he would have no progeny because it was incestuous.
This could be have some interesting effects in Poland. What if instead of marrying Radizwill he decides that he'll go his own way and break from the domineering Catholic church? Poland had a growing Protestant movement; German immigrants favored Lutheranism while native Poles embraced Calvinism. The Tolerant Jagiellons let them do as they pleased; it was the Vasa who wiped out these vibrant communities. Perhaps Sigismund tires of all these petty politics and threats of whom he should marry. If Barbara dies a little earlier, perhaps before they can marry, it gives an added incentive. Say he makes contact with Henry VIII to get some tips on what to do, and possibly a new Queen as well.
Henry is close to dying in 1546; he could certainly decide his eldest daughter needs a good marriage and selects Sigismund, to see her finally married. But I'm not sure if he'd do so: after all, prepping his children for their futures was not really Henry's strong point. Still, at 29, Mary isn't that old (old for traditional marriage game, but not too old to have progeny).
She's also closer to Sigismund II's age, who'd be 26. Only downsides, if he's in a reforming mood, she's going to be unlikely to want to marry him; secondly, Henry was super stingy. Even at the height of his wealth, he only offered to give Francis I 40,000 ducats for Mary's hand. This is is a pauper's dowry. Sigismund might get offended.
Pros: close age, she's royal. She's in the Act of Succession; a second son could easily becoming King of England and Ireland.
Cons: Super Catholic. Probably unwiling to leave England. Shitty dowry. She had health issues even when young, esp related to her period. May not be able to have children, but again, her issues were mostly painful periods, not infertility. May put her position in the succession at stake.
Now, Catherine. She's the daughter of William Willoughby, the Baron of Wiloughby de Ersby. Her mother is Maria de Salinas, one of Katherine of Aragon's old maids of honors. She's the same age as the King, 26. So not super young and definitely capable of children. She also became an outspoken Protestant and for a time lived in Poland.
Pros: close age, Protestant.
Cons: She's not exactly royal, but Henry may offer her a dowry and it'd still bring a connection to England. She'd also bring property connections to her new husband, so extra income. Of course, it may only be for her life; the 1421 statue forbids foreigners from owning property in England (this was Henry's reasoning to exclude Margaret's line from the throne).
Either way, a definitely interesting bride choice. Even more so should Edward kick the bucket IOTL. Poland isn't a Spain, but Sigismund may make good