During the reign of Maximilian II and especially following the brother's conflict & 30 years war, it was became evident to the most senior imperial Habsburg (Maximilian II, Ferdinand III & Leopold I) that the division of the realms weakened their hands in the terms of resources available to them. The line co-operated and contributed to their mutual defence but it probably would've been easier if the bulk of Austria passed to one line as there were less limits on the Archduke's authority compared to say Bohemia & Hungary-Croatia.
So I'm proposing a different division at Ferdinand I's death that would enhance the power base of the Emperor.
Maximilian II - Archduchy of Austria (Austria proper), County of Tyrol & Inner Austria ( Duchies Styria, Carinthia & Carinola etc)
Further Austria - divided between Ferdinand (OTL of Further Austria, count of tyrol) and Charles (OTL of Styria)
Specifically
Ferdinand - Landgrivate of Sundgau & Breisgau
Charles - County of Feldkirch & Bregenz (probably raise them to Landgrivates give Charles more prestige)
Now, this isn't as prestigious of the other brothers as OTL especially Charles but what do you all think? How would this affect Austria, Maximilian's reign and further beyond especially with his tolerance towards non-catholics (he didn't introduce the counter-reformation, while Charles did). Below are images of what I'm thinking for the division.
Image 1 - Red Ferdinand; Black Charles
Image 2 - Red Ferdinand; Blue Charles
So I'm proposing a different division at Ferdinand I's death that would enhance the power base of the Emperor.
Maximilian II - Archduchy of Austria (Austria proper), County of Tyrol & Inner Austria ( Duchies Styria, Carinthia & Carinola etc)
Further Austria - divided between Ferdinand (OTL of Further Austria, count of tyrol) and Charles (OTL of Styria)
Specifically
Ferdinand - Landgrivate of Sundgau & Breisgau
Charles - County of Feldkirch & Bregenz (probably raise them to Landgrivates give Charles more prestige)
Now, this isn't as prestigious of the other brothers as OTL especially Charles but what do you all think? How would this affect Austria, Maximilian's reign and further beyond especially with his tolerance towards non-catholics (he didn't introduce the counter-reformation, while Charles did). Below are images of what I'm thinking for the division.
Image 1 - Red Ferdinand; Black Charles
Image 2 - Red Ferdinand; Blue Charles