AHC: Protestant Bourbon England

Isn't the easiest way to just keep the Valois from dying out? Then the Bourbon branch of the House of Capet would stay Protestant and could eventually marry into the English Royal family. Seems easy, no?

Well if your definition of Valois includes Orleans, the quickest way there is to extend the life of Louis XII. Let's say in 1516 or so he produces an heir by Mary Tudor, that he lives long enough to recognize said heir and to secure said heir a coronation. Let's also say Mary resists the nigh-irresistible urge to marry Charles Brandon following Francis's death, perhaps looking north to how Margaret's marriage to Douglas was received in Scotland. At that point said boy-king might have a fighting chance in the inevitable civil war against Francis of Angouleme for the French throne. That king of France would then be 30 or so when Henry dies, 37 when Edward dies.

To put a bit more meat on the bones, Francis in his reign did much to reconcile France with the papacy, the papacy for its part eager to find a counterweight to Habsburg power. But Louis's attitude had been much different: he warred on the papacy, and even had Julius II declare the throne of France vacant at one point to lure Henry into war on his side. Let's say Louis XII's son continues this attitude, and grows up hearing strong denunciations of papal corruption. Let's also say he falls under the influence of some of the pro-reform voices of the French court, like Marguerite de Angouleme. So that when Edward VI passes, war erupts: Spain/Conservative/Habsburg/Mary versus France/Reformer/Valois/"Henri".
 
Well if your definition of Valois includes Orleans, the quickest way there is to extend the life of Louis XII. Let's say in 1516 or so he produces an heir by Mary Tudor, that he lives long enough to recognize said heir and to secure said heir a coronation. Let's also say Mary resists the nigh-irresistible urge to marry Charles Brandon following Francis's death, perhaps looking north to how Margaret's marriage to Douglas was received in Scotland. At that point said boy-king might have a fighting chance in the inevitable civil war against Francis of Angouleme for the French throne. That king of France would then be 30 or so when Henry dies, 37 when Edward dies.

To put a bit more meat on the bones, Francis in his reign did much to reconcile France with the papacy, the papacy for its part eager to find a counterweight to Habsburg power. But Louis's attitude had been much different: he warred on the papacy, and even had Julius II declare the throne of France vacant at one point to lure Henry into war on his side. Let's say Louis XII's son continues this attitude, and grows up hearing strong denunciations of papal corruption. Let's also say he falls under the influence of some of the pro-reform voices of the French court, like Marguerite de Angouleme. So that when Edward VI passes, war erupts: Spain/Conservative/Habsburg/Mary versus France/Reformer/Valois/"Henri".

That would give you a Valois England, though, wouldn't it?
 
That would give you a Valois England, though, wouldn't it?

Well that was telnyk's twist to the original post. As to Bourbon Protestant England, I'm sticking with my prior scenario. That said though, it needs a tweak: the resulting union would be, if left entirely intact, France, England, Ireland and Navarre.

What might be nifty is if the French can't quite pull off an invasion of Ireland. Scotland wouldn't have the power to subdue it to advance James's claim, and the Spanish would not likely find it worth the effort, especially given their various challenges at the start of the seventeenth century.
 
Well that was telnyk's twist to the original post. As to Bourbon Protestant England, I'm sticking with my prior scenario. That said though, it needs a tweak: the resulting union would be, if left entirely intact, France, England, Ireland and Navarre.

What might be nifty is if the French can't quite pull off an invasion of Ireland. Scotland wouldn't have the power to subdue it to advance James's claim, and the Spanish would not likely find it worth the effort, especially given their various challenges at the start of the seventeenth century.

No, my twist was to keep the Bourbons Protestant by having them not inherit France. I was thinking a Valois (including Orleans and Angouleme) France and a Bourbon England.
 
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