Challenge: No son of a King of France ever died of plague

[Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_II_de_Valois,_Duke_of_Orléans#Death

On 6 September, they came across a cluster of houses that had been emptied and sealed off "from the plague" -- probably a form of influenza. Stating that "no son of a King of France ever died of plague", Charles entered some of the infected houses. Laughing, he slashed at bedding with his sword and started a pillow fight with some of his traveling companions. Stories have also been told of him (on a dare) lying down on one of the infected beds and rolling around on the bedding. Later that evening, after dining with his father and brother, he took suddenly ill, suffering from pain, a high fever, vomiting and shaking limbs. His brother rushed to his sickroom immediately, but was barred from entering, being physically restrained on three occasions.

Charles died on September 9, 1545.

WI he hadn't been such an idiot? And he's something on what had been arranged for him:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_II_de_Valois,_Duke_of_Orléans#Marriage_arrangements

On September 19, 1544, the Treaty of Crépy was signed. Charles had a choice. He could marry either 1) Maria of Spain, daughter of Charles V and Isabella of Portugal, with the Netherlands or the Low Countries of Franche-Comte as her dowry or 2) Anna of Austria, daughter of Ferdinand I, King of Hungary and Bohemia and Anne of Bohemia. She was a niece of Charles V through her father and would receive Milan as her dowry. As the groom's father, Francis I was expected by the Treaty to endow his son with Angouleme, Chatellerault, Bourbon and Orleans.

Edit: Damnit, my mistake, this shouldn't be a challenge. How can you edit thread titles?

 

[Gonzaga]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_II_de_Valois%2C_Duke_of_Orl%C3%A9ans#Death



WI he hadn't been such an idiot? And he's something on what had been arranged for him:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_II_de_Valois,_Duke_of_Orléans#Marriage_arrangements

If he had married Maria of Spain, received the Netherlands as downry and had issue that would be really interesting (especially if the other Valois line still dies out). Henry of Navarre wouldn't be the heir of France, that would include the Netherlands. Also, all the Wars of Religion would be changed.

 

[Grey Wolf]

If he had married Maria of Spain, received the Netherlands as downry and had issue that would be really interesting (especially if the other Valois line still dies out). Henry of Navarre wouldn't be the heir of France, that would include the Netherlands. Also, all the Wars of Religion would be changed.

Though this assumes of course that they would have children. I have no idea of the likelihood or unlikelihood (did he have acknowledged bastards, did she have children in OTL ?) but the genetics of the Valois must be of some note as they eventually died out in the non-Bourbon line due to it

Best Regards
Grey Wolf

 

[Gonzaga]

Though this assumes of course that they would have children. I have no idea of the likelihood or unlikelihood (did he have acknowledged bastards, did she have children in OTL ?) but the genetics of the Valois must be of some note as they eventually died out in the non-Bourbon line due to it

Best Regards
Grey Wolf

Of course, we need to assume that he could have issue. But his brother Henry II had children too, and even Charles IX had (a legitimate daughter and an ilegitimate son). So, I believe he could also have issue (and I'm assuming this because it would make some interesting changes).