Empress Isabella Jagiellon

[Jan Olbracht]

POD is death of Anna of Bohemia and Hungary in childbirth in 1538, 9 years earlier than IOTL. Widowed Ferdinand Habsburg had lots of children with her already (although mostly daughters) and IOTL he was not willing to remarry after death of Anna, but at this there is something, that could change his decision-Bona Sforza, Queen of Poland, supports his rival John Zapolya, anti-King of Hungary, and wants to marry him to her oldest daughter Isabella. Bona had ambitious plans for her daughter's future. She wanted her to be Queen. Despite fact, that she disliked Habsburgs she tried to arrange marriages of her daughters with Charles, Ferdinand and Ferdinand's sons. So if King of the Romans is available she would not bother her daughter with anti-King of Hungary. Ferdinand OTOH also should be intetested in that solution-it would block Jagiellon-Zapolya match and would cut off Jagiellon support for Zapolya. Would Ferdinand decide to marry Isabella in such circumstances?

 

[isabella]

POD is death of Anna of Bohemia and Hungary in childbirth in 1538, 9 years earlier than IOTL. Widowed Ferdinand Habsburg had lots of children with her already (although mostly daughters) and IOTL he was not willing to remarry after death of Anna, but at this there is something, that could change his decision-Bona Sforza, Queen of Poland, supports his rival John Zapolya, anti-King of Hungary, and wants to marry him to her oldest daughter Isabella. Bona had ambitious plans for her daughter's future. She wanted her to be Queen. Despite fact, that she disliked Habsburgs she tried to arrange marriages of her daughters with Charles, Ferdinand and Ferdinand's sons. So if King of the Romans is available she would not bother her daughter with anti-King of Hungary. Ferdinand OTOH also should be intetested in that solution-it would block Jagiellon-Zapolya match and would cut off Jagiellon support for Zapolya. Would Ferdinand decide to marry Isabella in such circumstances?

Absolutely possible. Marrying Isabella would resolve many of his troubles, reinforcing the alliance with Poland and if Anna died so early is not unlikely who Ferdinand will think to remarry. And if Ferdinand had a son by Isabella I think Charles will be forced to give Milan to said son.
If Sisgismund II die as OTL then Isabella’s children will be the heirs (likely the eldest son will become the next King of Poland and the next will take Milan)