alternatehistory.com

Something I've noticed on the board is that whenever the topic of Elizabeth I marrying a Habsburg comes up, the options are usually 1) D. Felipe II of Spain or 2) Archduke Karl of Inner Austria. In reality, there were several other candidates in the offing for Elizabeth's hand during her sister's reign, especially as it became more and more apparent that her sister would remain childless.

Others batting for team Habsburg who stepped up to the plate were:

1) D. Carlos, Prince of the Asturias
2) Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I
3) Archduke Ferdinand of Austria (a.k.a. Mr. Philippine Welser)

Now in the event that Elizabeth refuses the first two (Felipe being already married to her sister and it being bad etiquette to push a suit for Karl before Ferdinand Jnr), Option 3 looks to be the most palatable.

I don't know much about Ferdinand Jnr, but say he and Elizabeth get married somewhere during Mary's reign. There is a small window between Mary I's death and Ferdinand's OTL marriage to Fraulein Welser wherein they can still marry if not already.

How might Mary take it? Would Ferdinand be a relatively uninvolved consort a la Francis of Lorraine/George of Denmark? Or would he take Felipe's role as a model and attempt to be crowned as King Ferdinand I alongside Elizabeth?

Please discuss
Top