Anjou was certainly Elizabeth's last true suitor, as he came courting when he was 24 and 46. Like most of her courtships, she was probably certainly stringing him along to scare the Spanish into what she might do if she found it necessary. Public opinion was against any such match, and either way, I'm not sure if Elizabeth I would've seriously considered it. But considering Elizabeth later sent Leicester to the Netherlands, if Anjou wasn't so incompetent, and Leicester properly funded, they may have been able to scare the Spanish. The Dutch at this point had not yet flirted with independence, and preferred to offer the sovereignty to the Low Countries first to Anjou and later to Elizabeth herself. Some of the Queen's Councillors favored the match as if Anjou succeeded in the Lowlands, it would mean a friendly government in that area, removing Spain from England's doorstep. Anjou's demands were rather amiable; he didn't demand any toleration for Catholics but rather the right to hear mass privately, along with his position in England being recognized in some position. Elizabeth certainly seems to be fond of him, if her poem, On Monsieur's Departure lends any credence.
Is there any way the match might have been brought about? If the Spanish prove overly aggressive, the pervasive Francophobia in English society might be mooted long enough that opposition to the match is able to be overcome. French support might be necessary in such a situation. Elizabeth certainly did not want to marry, but probably found herself quite lucky in the realm of foreign policy: she used it as a credible threat but never had to follow through with it. What if she had too in this case? Completely unrealistic or possible if the circumstances present it? Say a more aggressive Spain, and more cooperation between England and France regarding Anjou's campaigns in the Netherlands? If he has a stroke of luck, perhaps backed up by English men and monies, he might be able to score some victories instead of completely humiliating himself.
The marriage would certainly be interesting from a geopolitical point of view, especially if Anjou lives to succeed Henri III. Elizabeth was in her 40s at that point, but apparently still capable of having children. More than one would be unlikely though, so that still creates a difficult situation of a potential union between England, the Netherlands (positing in this scenario that Anjou continues to hold the sovereignty of the Low Countries) and France. It's probably one of the most unlikely matches to be carried through, but if it did, it'd be quite interesting. If Elizabeth and Anjou had a son, it makes matters worse: a daughter would be a bit more tolerable, as she could succeed in England and the Bourbons would still succeed in France. There's still the issue of the Netherlands which would go from being Spanish dominated to French dominated... creating a huge mess in the early 16th century where England finds it's self at odds with French--all because of a marriage that was suggested to contain Spanish ambitions. Or they could end up being childless, which is totally likely. England still falls to the Stuarts, Bourbons succeed in France, and the Dutch go their own way, perhaps offering the sovereignty to the Bourbon Kings or the Stuarts.
Probably one of the weirdest PODs to be suggested, but it's always fascinated me. Of course Elizabeth had never wished to marry, but I think if she had been backed into a corner, she might've for reasons of state. It'd certainly produced a less independent Netherlands, as before the Republic they were intent to reject their sovereign, Philip II, merely for another. Just seems like an interesting POD to completely turn the 17th century upside down.
Is there any way the match might have been brought about? If the Spanish prove overly aggressive, the pervasive Francophobia in English society might be mooted long enough that opposition to the match is able to be overcome. French support might be necessary in such a situation. Elizabeth certainly did not want to marry, but probably found herself quite lucky in the realm of foreign policy: she used it as a credible threat but never had to follow through with it. What if she had too in this case? Completely unrealistic or possible if the circumstances present it? Say a more aggressive Spain, and more cooperation between England and France regarding Anjou's campaigns in the Netherlands? If he has a stroke of luck, perhaps backed up by English men and monies, he might be able to score some victories instead of completely humiliating himself.
The marriage would certainly be interesting from a geopolitical point of view, especially if Anjou lives to succeed Henri III. Elizabeth was in her 40s at that point, but apparently still capable of having children. More than one would be unlikely though, so that still creates a difficult situation of a potential union between England, the Netherlands (positing in this scenario that Anjou continues to hold the sovereignty of the Low Countries) and France. It's probably one of the most unlikely matches to be carried through, but if it did, it'd be quite interesting. If Elizabeth and Anjou had a son, it makes matters worse: a daughter would be a bit more tolerable, as she could succeed in England and the Bourbons would still succeed in France. There's still the issue of the Netherlands which would go from being Spanish dominated to French dominated... creating a huge mess in the early 16th century where England finds it's self at odds with French--all because of a marriage that was suggested to contain Spanish ambitions. Or they could end up being childless, which is totally likely. England still falls to the Stuarts, Bourbons succeed in France, and the Dutch go their own way, perhaps offering the sovereignty to the Bourbon Kings or the Stuarts.
Probably one of the weirdest PODs to be suggested, but it's always fascinated me. Of course Elizabeth had never wished to marry, but I think if she had been backed into a corner, she might've for reasons of state. It'd certainly produced a less independent Netherlands, as before the Republic they were intent to reject their sovereign, Philip II, merely for another. Just seems like an interesting POD to completely turn the 17th century upside down.