In 1598, King Philip II of Spain granted the Spanish Netherlands to his nephew and son-in-law, Albert of Austria, to rule jointly with his wife, Isabella of Spain (Philip's daughter). Unlike previous grants, the two were not simply governor-generals of the territories, but actual sovereigns of the various duchies and counties that made up the southern low countries.
Their rule was considered a golden age for the region, especially after years of previous warfare with the Dutch Republic.
Now, in OTL, Albert dies without any surviving children in 1621; sovereignty of the Spanish Netherlands the reverted back to the Spanish Crown, with his surviving widow, the Infanta Isabella, now only ruling as regent and not in her own right.
So, here's my idea for a POD: what if Isabella and Albert had managed to produce a surviving heir? Let's then assume that this son inherits his parents' realm at his father's death in 1621. What will the consequences of this be for Europe?
I'm considering forming a TL out of this and I am interested in starting a discussion...
Their rule was considered a golden age for the region, especially after years of previous warfare with the Dutch Republic.
Now, in OTL, Albert dies without any surviving children in 1621; sovereignty of the Spanish Netherlands the reverted back to the Spanish Crown, with his surviving widow, the Infanta Isabella, now only ruling as regent and not in her own right.
So, here's my idea for a POD: what if Isabella and Albert had managed to produce a surviving heir? Let's then assume that this son inherits his parents' realm at his father's death in 1621. What will the consequences of this be for Europe?
I'm considering forming a TL out of this and I am interested in starting a discussion...