Another Son for Charles V

Ok I’ll admit I’m not the most knowledgeable on Habsburg history in the 16th century, but I know enough to know that if Charles had a second son that there would be some implications). I heard that Charles intend to have his second son receive the Burgundian inheritance. Other than that, what would the effects be, who would he marry, what would France do about another Habsburg on the Burgundian throne, etc?
 
Ok I’ll admit I’m not the most knowledgeable on Habsburg history in the 16th century, but I know enough to know that if Charles had a second son that there would be some implications). I heard that Charles intend to have his second son receive the Burgundian inheritance. Other than that, what would the effects be, who would he marry, what would France do about another Habsburg on the Burgundian throne, etc?

So you are talking about the 3 way split: Spain, colonies and Italian possessions to Phillip, Bohemia, Austria, leftover of Hungary and imperial crown to Charles' brother, and the Netherlands with French Comte to the 2nd son? Who inherits Charles' debt? In OTL it was Phillip would in your AH could it be split between the brothers?

(a) Spain eventually gains from not dealing with the rebellious Provinces but it leaves an open field for screwing up economically by keeping interfering in the European affairs.

(b) Imperial branch - more or less as in OTL. Differences may start closer to the time of the 30YW.

(c) The "Burgundian" branch, if left alone, may be in a worse position against France if there is an earlier peace between France and Spain. Would have to look for the alliances close to home: either imperial Hapsburgs or, in an unlikely political step, with the German Protestants. Position of a Catholic Hapsburg ruler would be in danger with a strengthening Protestantism so the ruler would have to exercise a lot of flexibility balancing between the local Protestants and Catholics. Probably some kind of an early constitutional monarchy? France would still pick up Artois and French Comte (almost impossible to defend in that schema)
 
Could there be a chance of the son who gets the Burgundian inheritance of getting "promoted" to King of Burgundy?

Unlikely, he would simply be dukes and count of all those possessions, while his primary title would be Archduke (even through he wouldn't get Audtria he would still have the title Archduke of Austria).
 
Could there be a chance of the son who gets the Burgundian inheritance of getting "promoted" to King of Burgundy?
I would think so. And if the second son is given the Burgundian inheritance he would probably have a lot of money. Would he try to become Holy Roman Emperor in a sucession War with his uncle? And who would he be married to? Maybe one of the daughters of Henry VIII?
 
Unlikely, he would simply be dukes and count of all those possessions, while his primary title would be Archduke (even through he wouldn't get Audtria he would still have the title Archduke of Austria).

Of course something like OTL the Pragmatic Sanction of Charles V (1549) will still happen, which unified the Habsburg Netherlands into an entity, which could be inherited as one. I agree, that a Royal Crown would be highly unlikely, but they could get the same privileges as the Austrian Archdukes, which roughly meant that they had similar privileges as the Prince-Electors except the right to vote. Now they would probably want to have an Electorate in the long run, which would be much easier attainable than a Royal Crown.
As for that being unlikely, the Emperor, like the Pope, had the prerogative to grant a Royal Crown; now outside the actual* Empire, that would result in opposition in the Empire, internally it's a recipe for opposition and a potentially unwanted precedent.
 
I would think so. And if the second son is given the Burgundian inheritance he would probably have a lot of money. Would he try to become Holy Roman Emperor in a sucession War with his uncle? And who would he be married to? Maybe one of the daughters of Henry VIII?

Well, since the office of HRE was elective [though in this period it tended to stay in the Habsburg web] a succession war would be unlikely. Ferdinand was also the King in Hungary, Bohemia, and Croatia, plus he was in Germany most of his life. A second son, [let's call him Maximilian, after his great grandfather following the naming customs of the day] as suggested, would likely be given Burgundy. As for marriage, a French or Danish princess would do.

A interesting butterfly would be no Dutch revolt, considering they started after they realized they were no more than a bargaining chip against France; an independent ruler in Burgundy would focus on their interests better than the OTL Habsburgs did. Could we see Burgundian colonies in the New World?
 
A second son from Isabella or a son from another wedding after her death?
Maybe we can butterfly the end of Isabella's last pregnancy (who ended in a stillbirth and caused her death) and have our Infante/Archduke Maximilian born in September/October of 1539.
As bride for Duke Maximilian of Burgundy I think the favorite candidates would be that princesses:
Elisabeth of Valois (b.1545) eldest daughter of Henry II of France and OTL Queen of Spain as third wife of Philip II
Princess Renata of Lorraine (b.1543) OTL Duchess of Bavaria
Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland (b.1542)
Archduchess Anna of Austria (b. 1549) his niece, OTL Queen of Spain as fourth wife of Philip II
Archduchess Barbara of Austria (b.1939) OTL Duchess of Ferrara and Modena
Archduchess Helena of Austria (b.1543) OTL a nun
Archduchess Margaret of Austria (b.1536) OTL a nun
 
Well, since the office of HRE was elective [though in this period it tended to stay in the Habsburg web] a succession war would be unlikely. Ferdinand was also the King in Hungary, Bohemia, and Croatia, plus he was in Germany most of his life. A second son, [let's call him Maximilian, after his great grandfather following the naming customs of the day] as suggested, would likely be given Burgundy. As for marriage, a French or Danish princess would do.

A interesting butterfly would be no Dutch revolt, considering they started after they realized they were no more than a bargaining chip against France; an independent ruler in Burgundy would focus on their interests better than the OTL Habsburgs did. Could we see Burgundian colonies in the New World?

Obviously with Archduke Maximilian as Duke of Burgundy the Dutch revolt and the Dutch republic are totally butterflied and I think we can see Burgundian colonies in New World and/or in the Indies because Burgundy will surely be a naval potence
 
Won’t France feel threatened though with a Habsburg on their borders in the Netherlands?
Well, in that case France can not do much other than try to marry the ruler to his princess or making war trying to conquest their land (see Brittany, see Lorraine, see Burgundy pre-Habsburg) and in any case was still better than OTL (aka having lands under the same ruler on both nord and sud borders)
 
Ok I’ll admit I’m not the most knowledgeable on Habsburg history in the 16th century, but I know enough to know that if Charles had a second son that there would be some implications). I heard that Charles intend to have his second son receive the Burgundian inheritance. Other than that, what would the effects be, who would he marry, what would France do about another Habsburg on the Burgundian throne, etc?

Well, here's a thought. There is now a Netherlands branch of the House of Habsburg, which presumably resides in the Netherlands. When the Reformation sweeps the Netherlands, it would be possible for the Netherlands Habsburgs to become Protestant along with their subjects. This would mean Protestant and Catholic branches of the House (like the Wittelsbachs and the Hohenzollerns).

It would also mean no effort by Habsburg rulers to maintain or restore Catholicism. So (IMO) Belgium also becomes Protestant.

Another consequence is the Netherlands would remain a monarchical realm or realms, rather than becoming a quasi-republic. Also, the Princes of the Netherlands would be more interested in HRE politics than the OTL Dutch Republic, so the Netherlands would remain part of the HRE, and indeed part of "Germany".
 
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