A question regarding Henry Count of Chambord.

Very quick query, is there a way to prevent the July Revolution of 1830, from taking place, and ensuring a smooth succession to the throne of otl Henry Count of Chambord?
 
Have Charles X die in 1828, and have nephew and successor "Louis XIX" to be just a teeny bit less of a moron than his uncle.
 
Last edited:
Alright interesting, how long do you think Louis XIX could reign for?

Depends how much you let Madame Royal dominate him. Maybe she can die alongside her uncle/father-in-law. Her husband had the right idea - being very interested in the English parliamentary system, but she generally wore the trousers in the relationship.

But if he's more like Louis XVIII than Louis XVI, he might die on the throne.
 
Well, OTL he lived until 1844. If he avoids his father's more idiotic actions, he can probably manage to die in office.

Okay that does make sense, and likely he'd arrange a marriage for Henry, as well, perhaps to an Austrian or Spanish bride?
 
If one were to allow butterflies and have Infanta Luisa be born a boy, could we see a potential marriage between Henry and Infanta Isabella? Or is that to big of an age gap?
 
Have Charles X die in 1828, and have nephew and successor "Louis XIX" to be just a teeny bit less of a moron than his uncle.

Depends how much you let Madame Royal dominate him. Maybe she can die alongside her uncle/father-in-law. Her husband had the right idea - being very interested in the English parliamentary system, but she generally wore the trousers in the relationship.

But if he's more like Louis XVIII than Louis XVI, he might die on the throne.

Hmm interesting, so a mix between executive monarchy and perhaps parliamentary system

This is a lot easier said than done though. France in the 1820s faced significant problems that boiled over in the 1830 revolution, and these would need to be addressed by Louis XIX if he came to the throne.

The Liberals were in the ascendancy in national and regional politics, post 1827 election, and holding large and raucous public meetings about the need for reform and change. Whilst Louis XIX might be interested in a British system, he's also recently commanded an army that crushed Spanish Liberals and helped restore Bourbon absolutism in Spain. An army, furthermore, completely shot through with Bonapartist dissent. He's also, remember, the nephew of a man who lost his head and his throne the last time a French Monarch bowed to Liberal demands for a constitution. He might like parliamentary systems but implementing them is a whole other kettle of fish.

But even if he manages to push in the next decade, Louis XIX will face serious problems that dogged OTL's Orleanist regime. The 1830s was not a good time for France economically, and revolts in Lyon and Paris especially will crop up as new left-wing ideals meet starving and impoverished industrial workers.
 
You have good point there regarding the Orleanist branch of the Bourbons. After all, the Duke of Orleans, (Louis-Phillipe I) he promised Charles X to take care of and be a regent for little Henri, then he accepted the throne for himself.
 
You could have Charles X abdicate in favor of his son Louis XIX, so that an adult male is in control instead of the throne being vacant which opened up the opportunity for Louis-Philippe to usurp the throne. If my sources are correct, Louis XIX would've pursued a more realistic course unlike his father. The tricolor vs white flag question would've also be solved (tricolor be the national flag while the white flag be the King's personal flag) during Louis XIX's reign. The Count of Chambord's education would've been more moderate and a different wife would've been sought for him. Indeed the best time settle the political structure of Restoration France would've during Louis XIX's reign.
 
This is a lot easier said than done though. France in the 1820s faced significant problems that boiled over in the 1830 revolution, and these would need to be addressed by Louis XIX if he came to the throne.

The Liberals were in the ascendancy in national and regional politics, post 1827 election, and holding large and raucous public meetings about the need for reform and change. Whilst Louis XIX might be interested in a British system, he's also recently commanded an army that crushed Spanish Liberals and helped restore Bourbon absolutism in Spain. An army, furthermore, completely shot through with Bonapartist dissent. He's also, remember, the nephew of a man who lost his head and his throne the last time a French Monarch bowed to Liberal demands for a constitution. He might like parliamentary systems but implementing them is a whole other kettle of fish.

But even if he manages to push in the next decade, Louis XIX will face serious problems that dogged OTL's Orleanist regime. The 1830s was not a good time for France economically, and revolts in Lyon and Paris especially will crop up as new left-wing ideals meet starving and impoverished industrial workers.

Louis XIX might've led the Thousand Sons of St. Louis into Spain, but he himself was apparently disgusted by the atrocities of the absolutists. So much so that when Fernando VII sent him some or other decoration (think it might've been the Golden Fleece, not sure) as a reward, the Duc d'Angoulême returned it because he didn't want anything to do with the Felon King.
 
You could have Charles X abdicate in favor of his son Louis XIX, so that an adult male is in control instead of the throne being vacant which opened up the opportunity for Louis-Philippe to usurp the throne. If my sources are correct, Louis XIX would've pursued a more realistic course unlike his father. The tricolor vs white flag question would've also be solved (tricolor be the national flag while the white flag be the King's personal flag) during Louis XIX's reign. The Count of Chambord's education would've been more moderate and a different wife would've been sought for him. Indeed the best time settle the political structure of Restoration France would've during Louis XIX's reign.

Charles did. Madame Royal persuaded her husband to abdicate after 29 minutes in favor of his nephew, hence making Louis XIX the world's shortest reigning monarch.
 
I take it Madame royal and her slightly more absolutist tendencies would be a big hindrance during Louis xix reign?
 
I take it Madame royal and her slightly more absolutist tendencies would be a big hindrance during Louis xix reign?

Maybe, maybe not. Depends if the king can control his wife or is she controlling him. If the former, it can help keep the more legitimist nobles happy, and they might have a hope of her guidinh affairs of state should Chambord succeed young. If the latter, we all know how this song will end.

Your best hope for Louis is to keep MR away from politics (like LP did with his conservative wife). It is possible that they will blame every decision not liberal enough for their liking on her, though. Also, ensure that Chambord gets a "modern" education (which the duchesse de Berri wanted) rather than the ancien regime one he was given. So you'll have to keep the queen out of the schoolroom as well.
 
Louis XIX might've led the Thousand Sons of St. Louis into Spain, but he himself was apparently disgusted by the atrocities of the absolutists. So much so that when Fernando VII sent him some or other decoration (think it might've been the Golden Fleece, not sure) as a reward, the Duc d'Angoulême returned it because he didn't want anything to do with the Felon King.

I didn't know that, and its interesting, but I'm not sure it necessarily changes things. He still did, whatever his feelings, lead the army and in the 1820s and 1830s that would have been the story. He might well have had misgivings about what Fernando did afterwards, but how does he demonstrate that to the public at the time? Remember this is a time of fervid rumour and wild conspiracy - large numbers of Frenchmen and women were convinced, for example, that Bonaparte was secretly still alive in the 1820s and might return to liberate them once more.

Whatever he does, Louis XIX will be dogged with the reputation of having suppressed a Liberal regime with force and this will affect how people treat him politically if he lasts as king.
 
Top