Ferdinand IV, King of the Romans lives

Eldest son of HRE Ferdinand III, Ferdinand IV died in 1654 of smallpox. Now what might have happened had he not died then? I believe he was intended to marry Maria Theresa of Spain, the otl wife of Louis XIV, so presumably that marriage would still occur.

Consequently, who might Louis now marry?

Furthermore, what oither consequences might come from his survival?
 
The second choice of princess for Louis XIV boiled down to OTL Madame vs Margaret Violante of Savoy. Which first cousin of his will he marry is anybody's guess, probably both princesses end up on the market with "runner up marrying Duc d'Anjou" clause.
 
The second choice of princess for Louis XIV boiled down to OTL Madame vs Margaret Violante of Savoy. Which first cousin of his will he marry is anybody's guess, probably both princesses end up on the market with "runner up marrying Duc d'Anjou" clause.

Okay cool, and how might Ferdinand IV surviving change certain aspects of HRE policy?
 
Okay cool, and how might Ferdinand IV surviving change certain aspects of HRE policy?

I think the better question is whether or not he could sire enough male heirs to stave off the extinction of the Habsburg line. The mere fact that Habsburg succession is secure is going to bring massive changes in the long term.
 
I think the better question is whether or not he could sire enough male heirs to stave off the extinction of the Habsburg line. The mere fact that Habsburg succession is secure is going to bring massive changes in the long term.

Hmm very true, if he has around three sons and they have sons, potentially no war of the spanish succession?
 
Hmm very true, if he has around three sons and they have sons, potentially no war of the spanish succession?
A fun fact is Ferdinand IV being less closely related to Maria Theresa than Louis XIV was:) So greater percentage of surviving children is pretty likely.
 
A fun fact is Ferdinand IV being less closely related to Maria Theresa than Louis XIV was:) So greater percentage of surviving children is pretty likely.

Ah very true very true.

How's this sound for their children:

Ferdinand (1655-1690)

Maria (1658-1700)

Maximillian (1660-1720)
 
Pretty sound things here. Ferdinand Jr. becomes a likely groom for Margaret Theresa of Spain, though TTL with Maria Theresa retaining her Spanish rights Margaret Theresa is safe to marry to France circa 1666 (if Monsieur is still unmarried), and thus Ferdinand Jr.'s likely bride is Claudia Felicitas of Austria.
 
Pretty sound things here. Ferdinand Jr. becomes a likely groom for Margaret Theresa of Spain, though TTL with Maria Theresa retaining her Spanish rights Margaret Theresa is safe to marry to France circa 1666 (if Monsieur is still unmarried), and thus Ferdinand Jr.'s likely bride is Claudia Felicitas of Austria.

Interesting, and what consequences might that have?
 
The "technically senior claim" belongs to Spanish Habsburgs TTL. It's likely that by 1675 Queen-Mother Mariana will strike an agreement with her brother the Holy Roman Emperor to send Maximilain to Spain to be raised there as a heir presumptive, if the health of Carlos II is unstable as OTL (which it likely will be), and Archduchess Maria will be betrothed to Carlos II since birth, I think.
As for Margaret Theresa in this situation, she'll be much better off being married to a brother of the King, who is just her first cousin and not her uncle, maybe she'll live longer.

I think that Louis XIV marries Margarita Violante of Savoy in 1658, since her mother's ambitions will be increased in TTL, when there is no competition from Spain and the English competitor is not of marriageable age yet (and her brother is not restored yet). The rest depends on whether Margarita is as unlucky in child producing.
Given that Margarita Violante's mother is really ambitious about the match, the dowry may include ceding part of County of Nice to France, which is likely to make it more attractive.
 
The "technically senior claim" belongs to Spanish Habsburgs TTL. It's likely that by 1675 Queen-Mother Mariana will strike an agreement with her brother the Holy Roman Emperor to send Maximilain to Spain to be raised there as a heir presumptive, if the health of Carlos II is unstable as OTL (which it likely will be), and Archduchess Maria will be betrothed to Carlos II since birth, I think.
As for Margaret Theresa in this situation, she'll be much better off being married to a brother of the King, who is just her first cousin and not her uncle, maybe she'll live longer.

I think that Louis XIV marries Margarita Violante of Savoy in 1658, since her mother's ambitions will be increased in TTL, when there is no competition from Spain and the English competitor is not of marriageable age yet (and her brother is not restored yet). The rest depends on whether Margarita is as unlucky in child producing.
Given that Margarita Violante's mother is really ambitious about the match, the dowry may include ceding part of County of Nice to France, which is likely to make it more attractive.

Okay interesting so if one says Maximillian is raised in Spain from around 1670 shall we say? So that he is not seen as so much of an interloper, and Louis XIV marries Margarita, could that then lead to some more children from the Sun King?

In fact, I think it would be fun to combine this PoD with some elements of this TL https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=241319 - with Mariana not recovering from birthing fever in 1657 after Felipe Prospero birth, and Felipe IV seeking a second wife (maybe in person of La Grande Mademoiselle like in Velasco's TL). The European dynastic makeup may end up looking really weird.

Interesting
 
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