Inspired by the "Anne of Brittany keeps Brittany Independent" thread going, I was wondering what French (and European) politics would look like if Fransez II of Brittany had had a son. Either that a) his OTL son (b.1462) survives or b) that Anne or Isabeau of Brittany are born male, or c) Fransez II takes the plunge and marries a third time after his second wife's death and father's a son. Option c) is not really my favourite, since the boy would be a babe in arms at the time of Fransez' OTL death, so France might simply bring him to be raised in Paris and the boy ends up as a glorified hostage.
Brittany keeps it's de facto rather than de jure independence for a century more. What does this mean for Breton and European politics? How does the Reformation affect Brittany (because I'm not sure that a POD in Brittany the 1460s-1480s is enough to affect butterflies in Rome to prevent a Reformation happening, although the effect might be minimalized)? Normandie was known as "Petit Nurembourg" during the Wars of Religion IIRC, and several prominent Breton families (like the Lavals, the Montmorencies and the Rohans) went Protestant during the 16th century (or at least, had Protestant branches).
An interesting effect would be on France. Since Charles is unlikely to jilt Margarethe of Austria for a Breton princess (who's not heiress). Which means that that is already going to be having effects on the progression of things in Spain, Italy and the Empire. Also, is Margarethe's marriage contract going to stipulate that (like Anne's), in the event that Charles dies sonless, Margarethe must marry Louis XII? I somehow doubt it, mostly because Maximilian is a canny politician, whereas, AIUI, Anne of Brittany essentially had her marriage contract forced on her at swordpoint.
@Brita @Jan Olbracht @isabella @VVD0D95 @CaptainShadow @FalconHonour @Awkwardvulture
Brittany keeps it's de facto rather than de jure independence for a century more. What does this mean for Breton and European politics? How does the Reformation affect Brittany (because I'm not sure that a POD in Brittany the 1460s-1480s is enough to affect butterflies in Rome to prevent a Reformation happening, although the effect might be minimalized)? Normandie was known as "Petit Nurembourg" during the Wars of Religion IIRC, and several prominent Breton families (like the Lavals, the Montmorencies and the Rohans) went Protestant during the 16th century (or at least, had Protestant branches).
An interesting effect would be on France. Since Charles is unlikely to jilt Margarethe of Austria for a Breton princess (who's not heiress). Which means that that is already going to be having effects on the progression of things in Spain, Italy and the Empire. Also, is Margarethe's marriage contract going to stipulate that (like Anne's), in the event that Charles dies sonless, Margarethe must marry Louis XII? I somehow doubt it, mostly because Maximilian is a canny politician, whereas, AIUI, Anne of Brittany essentially had her marriage contract forced on her at swordpoint.
@Brita @Jan Olbracht @isabella @VVD0D95 @CaptainShadow @FalconHonour @Awkwardvulture