Henri IV of France assassinated - in 1594!

There were a couple plots against Henri IV of France, one in 1593 and another a year later. The one a year later actually did cut him but it wasn't very deep. Let's suppose the fellow times it a little better, as he struck while Henri was bending down. Now what?

It appears the climant to the throne, the Prince of Conde (I hope I'm getting this right from Wikipedia - Conde and Conti are too close in my mind), would be about 6 years old. Who would be his regent? Perhaps Francois, Prince of Conti? Would enough people support him? It sppears the potential regent took no part in the Wars of Religion, so he might be a good choice to help the new Henri V to chart a middle ground. OTOH, that wasn't a popular thing to do in late 16th century Europe. Which might make Henri V's marriage tricky, too.

And, there aren't many Capets left after that.If the same assassain that killed Henri IV OTL kills this Henri V - or someone else does - before he sires offspring, there's Francois, Charles Count of Soissons (both of whom will die in the early 1610s) the count's son (though he may wed someone else since he'd be so close in line) and that's it! (Well, I imagine they could accept the bid that Henri IV turned down fromt he House of Courtenay to becomes princes du sang - princes of the blood)

It probably wouldn't get that far, but what would happen? A Thirty Years' War fought on French soil as much as on german seems a sad but distinct possibility.

(Edit: Sorry, didn't notice under Henry IV someone already asked this. Although it seems that the board favors this over bringing back dead threads.)
 
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There's also the Bourbon-Busset line, of dubious legitimacy, and the Lorraine and Lorraine-Guise were recognised as next in line should the Capetians ever fail.
 
Francois de Bourbon-Conti would do actually a good lieutenant-général du royaume.
He was a good support of Henri IV and was issued from the house of Condé.


For Henri de Condé as Henri V...It's more difficult. His legitimacy was disputed and he wasnt fully recognized as the heir of the throne : Henri IV bring it to Paris only in 1595 OTL. But, on the other hand, you had little choice on the matter, so I don't think that with the support of the nobles his uncles would be able to do something about it.

But I highly doubt a conflict like 30 Years War would happen : the Catholic League was seriously crushed, and the few remaining was entierly turned against Henry IV. And you don't have to underestimate the lassitude of french nobles (but also population) of the previous Wars of Religion.
 
This gives us an interesting succession situation... If Henri IV is murdered without children in 1594, then the order of succession goes as follow:
1. Henri II de Bourbon-Condé (1588-1646) - Henri IV's cousin, six years old. Suspected of being illegitimate, but he was recognised as heir and was raised as a Catholic. He turned Homosexual in his later years OTL, but that didn't stopped him from marrying (though it was a marriage of convenience so that Henri IV could keep one of his mistresses...) and fathering three children, including two sons. Plus, given his age, Butterflies could very well completely change his life.
2. François de Bourbon-Conti (1558-1614) - A relatively important figure among Henri IV's party as he was one of the two Princes of blood to support Henri IV's accession to the throne right after Henri III's death. Probably chosen as Regent for his nephew above, unless he is chosen as King. Had no children OTL and probably won't ITTL.
3. Charles de Bourbon, Count of Soissons (1566-1612) - Brother of François de Bourbon-Conti. Once a member of the Catholic League, he switched sides and supported Henri IV. Only married in 1601 OTL and had one son that was killed in battle. His fate could be altered however: he was in love with Henri IV's sister, Catherine of Navarra (who would be Catherine II of Navarra if Henri IV dies by the way), and as she unwillingly (it was Henri IV's decision) married the Duke of Lorraine only in 1598, Charles might marry her...
4.Henri, Duke of Montpensier (1573-1608) - A rather distant cousin of Henri IV (they share the same great grandfather, Jean VIII de Bourbon-Vendeaume) but he would be the next-in-line if all the above lines fail. Strong supporter of Henri IV, he fought the Ligue. Married in 1597 and only had one daughter.

These men are effectively the last of the (Legitimate) Bourbons if they fail to sire sons. In this case, the next in line would be the House of Courtenay, the last living branch of the Capetians (descending from Louis VI of France). But the members of that House are very minor, relatively unknown and had few supports. They also seem to have trouble being admitted in the succession as they were still pleading for it OTL by the time of Louis XIV... who would rather have had the House of Lorraine according to Les Mémoires de Saint-Simon!
Of course, the Courtenays could get more important given their poistion in the order of succession in this case (they have chances of becoming First Princes of Blood if lucky enough) but they are so minor that I don't think so. Anyway, here are the main Courtenays in line for the throne :
Gaspard, Seigneur de Bléneau (1550-1609)
François II de Bléneau (1575-1602) - son of the previous. No children OTL.
Edmé, Seigneur de Bléneau (1577-1640) - brother of the previous. One son who died without children OTL.
Jean, seigneur de Salles et de Coudray (1559-after 1624) - a younger brother to Gaspard of Bléneau. He had one son, Jacques, but we have no trace of his bloodline after that.
Jacques II, seigneur de Chevillon (1556-1617) - a relative of the previous. No children.
Jean II, seigneur de Chevillon (1566-1639) -brother of the previous. His bloodline only died in the male line in 1730.
 
Yeah, the possibles sucessors affiliation shows that the side of "politiques" (whatever Protestant or Catholic religion, let's have a strong kingdom first and fight too strong religious factions that challenge that) is still going to be in power.

Admittedly you could have the rebirth of semi-autonomist tendencies in some provinces, such as the "Provinces of Union" (or United Provinces of South). But I doubt it's going to last.
 
Thanks. What was keeping the Courtenays OTL from becoming princes of the Blood - just Bourbon pride, not wanting too many to share their esteemed position, or what?

Interesting that they tried under Protestant and Catholic kings, and at times when there were only a few possible claimants left... but a few is still some, and I would think that when it got down to 1-2 they'd say, "You know, we're going to have to bite the bullet here." Or whatever they bit before bullets.:)

BTW, weird thought, in a King Ralph sort of way. Would an Earl of Devon - what the English Courtenays became - be able to claim the French throne? Or had they given up all rights? Of course, looking at the Wiki page they might have gone extinct, too, as there was an itnerregnum, and the earldom had to be "created" again. Then again, being American, there's a lot about royal titles I don't understand.
 
Thanks. What was keeping the Courtenays OTL from becoming princes of the Blood - just Bourbon pride, not wanting too many to share their esteemed position, or what?

Interesting that they tried under Protestant and Catholic kings, and at times when there were only a few possible claimants left... but a few is still some, and I would think that when it got down to 1-2 they'd say, "You know, we're going to have to bite the bullet here." Or whatever they bit before bullets.:)

BTW, weird thought, in a King Ralph sort of way. Would an Earl of Devon - what the English Courtenays became - be able to claim the French throne? Or had they given up all rights? Of course, looking at the Wiki page they might have gone extinct, too, as there was an itnerregnum, and the earldom had to be "created" again. Then again, being American, there's a lot about royal titles I don't understand.

The English Courtenays are the original house of Courtenay, the French Courtenays are in reality Capetians who married a daughter of the Courtenays, who brought her husband her father's lands (and eventually name) after her father messed up somehow.

I dare say in such a situation succession through the female line will at least be attempted. Maybe by a special proviso by the French Estates, or Parlement, or whatever, maybe not allowing a woman to succeed but to transmit the throne.
 
I dare say in such a situation succession through the female line will at least be attempted. Maybe by a special proviso by the French Estates, or Parlement, or whatever, maybe not allowing a woman to succeed but to transmit the throne.

That seems to make the most sense to me - I'm sure there are some countires where that was true, right? It seems a logical bending of Salic Law when absolutely necessary.
 
That seems to make the most sense to me - I'm sure there are some countires where that was true, right? It seems a logical bending of Salic Law when absolutely necessary.

Yeah, I believe it was a generally accepted case in feudalism, but opinions varied as to how it applied to crowns. See how Peter Capet became Peter de Courtenay by marrying the heiress, or how Edward VI wanted the throne to be inherited through (but not by) Lady Jane Grey or her sisters. Or how Edward III claimed the French throne through his mother, in opposition to the Queen of Navarre with a superior genealogical claim.
 
If the Capetians go extinct there is a chance that the Dukes of Lorraine try to claim the throne. IOTL during the reign of Henry III the duke Charles III allowed a book be published in which was stated that the House of Lorraine was descendent of the last Carolingians, and so could have a claim to the French throne. IIRC later Louis XIV declared that if all the Bourbon branches should be extinct then the head of the House of Lorraine should be chosen as king of France.
 
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