Casimir IV the Sonless

[krieger]

Casimir IV was one of the most fertile monarchs from house of Jagiellon. He manager to sire six healthy sons. But what if he wasn't as lucky as he was? What if only his daughters survived to adulthood? Say that his all sons are stillborn. His daughters are even more valuable brides on marriage market. Matthias Corvinus would strive even more to marry Hedwig Jagiellon, oldest daughter of Casimir, but IMHO he'd be still rejected. Elizabeth, wife of Casimir IV regarded Matthias as a usurper and person of low birth. Instead, another interesting candidate will come into considerations of Cracow court. Maximilian, son of emperor Friedrich III was IOTL considered as a husband of either eldest Hedwig or younger Sophia of house of Jagiellon. This match was supported by pope Paul II. ITTL, where Casimir has no sons, Habsburgs would strive towards this marriage even more. Daughters of Casimir are bringing their claims to Hungary and ITTL could allow Max to succeed his father-in-law in Cracow and Vilnius. IMHO, for Friedrich this would even trump his marriage to Mary the Rich, because Friedrich wasn't that supportive of Charles's ambitons and Burgundy was no kingdom. So Max would marry Hedwig Jagiellon (Hedwig II) and become heir of Lithuanian throne, with nearly one hundred percent chance to be elected king of Poland? How would this affect Thirteen Years War? Both pope and emperor will be more supportive towards Poles if heir presumptive to Polish throne is Habsburg backed by Pope. Corvinus and Podebrad will still remain allies in this situation. Who else could Mary the Rich marry? @Jan Olbracht @Kellan Sullivan

 

[Jan Olbracht]

So Hussite fraction would support Matthias while Catholics would support Max and Casimir. Max could marry Hedwig even before Mary inherits Burgundy-Queen mother would want highborn husband for her daughter, who would be better than son of Emperor? Especially considering fact, that that way claims of Albertine and Leopoldine lines of Habsburgs would be united, Queen Elizabeth would see her descendants getting back her father's land in Austria.

 

[krieger]

So Hussite fraction would support Matthias while Catholics would support Max and Casimir. Max could marry Hedwig even before Mary inherits Burgundy-Queen mother would want highborn husband for her daughter, who would be better than son of Emperor? Especially considering fact, that that way claims of Albertine and Leopoldine lines of Habsburgs would be united, Queen Elizabeth would see her descendants getting back her father's land in Austria.

Yes, he could and I mentioned this possibility. Maybe Albert, younger brother of Frederick could get Mary's hand instead? I wonder if division of Bohemia in scenario where Max and Casimir are supported by Catholics would look the same. Moravians, Silesians and Lusatians wouldn't be so eager to suport Matthias (with exception of dukes of Opole, but they were pro-Polish so they would most likely remain neutral). Of course Moravia would still be conquered by military strength of Matthias, but it would mean more time for Poles to operate in Silesia and Lusatia. I think that Silesia and Lusatia could form rump "Kingdom of Bohemia" administrated by Max and Bohemia proper and Moravia would go to Matthias. Also how these scenario would affect relationship between Jagiellons and TO? TO has secured Corvinus support ITTL, but it will be hated by both pope and emperor. Is it enough for Casimir to at least remove TO to Podolia?

 

[Kellan Sullivan]

Casimir IV was one of the most fertile monarchs from house of Jagiellon. He manager to sire six healthy sons. But what if he wasn't as lucky as he was? What if only his daughters survived to adulthood? Say that his all sons are stillborn. His daughters are even more valuable brides on marriage market. Matthias Corvinus would strive even more to marry Hedwig Jagiellon, oldest daughter of Casimir, but IMHO he'd be still rejected. Elizabeth, wife of Casimir IV regarded Matthias as a usurper and person of low birth. Instead, another interesting candidate will come into considerations of Cracow court. Maximilian, son of emperor Friedrich III was IOTL considered as a husband of either eldest Hedwig or younger Sophia of house of Jagiellon. This match was supported by pope Paul II. ITTL, where Casimir has no sons, Habsburgs would strive towards this marriage even more. Daughters of Casimir are bringing their claims to Hungary and ITTL could allow Max to succeed his father-in-law in Cracow and Vilnius. IMHO, for Friedrich this would even trump his marriage to Mary the Rich, because Friedrich wasn't that supportive of Charles's ambitons and Burgundy was no kingdom. So Max would marry Hedwig Jagiellon (Hedwig II) and become heir of Lithuanian throne, with nearly one hundred percent chance to be elected king of Poland? How would this affect Thirteen Years War? Both pope and emperor will be more supportive towards Poles if heir presumptive to Polish throne is Habsburg backed by Pope. Corvinus and Podebrad will still remain allies in this situation. Who else could Mary the Rich marry? @Jan Olbracht @Kellan Sullivan

In a case where Max is removed from the board other options for Marie (depending on the year) are:
Nicolas d'Anjou, duc de Lorraine
François II, duke of Brittany
George, duke of Clarence
The Elector Palatine
The duke of Savoy
Charles, duc de Guienne/Charles VIII
René, comte de Vaudemont (later duc de Lorraine)

Personally, I could see any of them having more interests in line with Burgundy than Max did.
Other options are the two Trastamara gentlemen mentioned for her OTL (Federigo, duke of Apulia and Fernando II of Aragon). Neither of whom would have much reason to marry Marie beyond her money. Federigo is likely to be even poorer than Max was (coming to the match), and Fernando means a personal union separated by France - i.e. one that's going to cause more problems than it solves. Same goes for Brittany.
Clarence, while he's got the dowager duchess' ear, is probably likewise unlikely.
Ergo, it boils down to four usable gentlemen: Nicolas, Pfalz, Savoy and Guienne/Charles VIII. Nicolas and Guienne have timers on when you want to make the marriage happen.

 

[krieger]

In a case where Max is removed from the board other options for Marie (depending on the year) are:
Nicolas d'Anjou, duc de Lorraine
François II, duke of Brittany
George, duke of Clarence
The Elector Palatine
The duke of Savoy
Charles, duc de Guienne/Charles VIII
René, comte de Vaudemont (later duc de Lorraine)

Personally, I could see any of them having more interests in line with Burgundy than Max did.
Other options are the two Trastamara gentlemen mentioned for her OTL (Federigo, duke of Apulia and Fernando II of Aragon). Neither of whom would have much reason to marry Marie beyond her money. Federigo is likely to be even poorer than Max was (coming to the match), and Fernando means a personal union separated by France - i.e. one that's going to cause more problems than it solves. Same goes for Brittany.
Clarence, while he's got the dowager duchess' ear, is probably likewise unlikely.
Ergo, it boils down to four usable gentlemen: Nicolas, Pfalz, Savoy and Guienne/Charles VIII. Nicolas and Guienne have timers on when you want to make the marriage happen.

I think that Pfalz is the best possible option from this candidates. He secures western borders of Burgundy and is bearing an electoral dignity. Duke of Savoy might have some chances because of Charles's personal sympathy to Jacques of Savoy. Duke of Clarence would supported by Margaret of York. Nicolas was removed by his death, which wouldn't change ITTL. He was probably poisoned by agents of Louis XI because he rejected hand of Anne de Valois, daughter of French king. So ITTL he'll be still out of picture. Federigo and Fernando are one of the most unlikely options. So if had to rank the options according to their probability ITTL, it'd look like this: 1. Pfalz 2. Clarence 3. Savoy 4. Guienne 5. Rene 6. Francis 7. Federigo and Fernando