Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester survives

I realize I'm a bit late to this party, but this was an idea I was mulling over. Charles II was very chummy with Louis XIV at the Restoration (actually most of his reign), and there were rumours of a French match for Henry. Problem was that Henry refused to marry a Catholic AFAIK. Fortunately, Henry died and there was never any reason for his being Low Church to affect things.

However, I've found a girl the French might put forward as a proxy if they can't get an Orléans girl to London: Christine of Baden-Durlach. Her mother's the eldest sister of King Carl X of Sweden, she's Protestant so no reason for the ministers to get their backs up about ANOTHER Catholic match. She's from a pretty fertile family (1 of 8 kids, of whom 3 died in infancy), plus it gives a chance for diversifying alliances in Germany. Christine's lack of kids OTL may be because husband no 1 died within 2years of the wedding (perhaps not enough time) and husband no. 2 married her 14yrs later, when she was almost 40.

Just a thought
Oh that could be quite interesting, and would put England in both Danish and Swedish camps
 
Or drags it into Scanian War mess on Swedish side, with no butterflies for Second Anglo-Dutch War other than those resulting from Dowager Princess of Orange's survival. But - it meets definition of word "interesting", so...
 
Or drags it into Scanian War mess on Swedish side, with no butterflies for Second Anglo-Dutch War other than those resulting from Dowager Princess of Orange's survival. But - it meets definition of word "interesting", so...
Hmm would England get involved in that? When it has nothing to gain from it?
 
That depends in what they achieve in Second Anglo-Dutch War. If the goal "restore William of Orange" is achieved, then the 1670-1671 agreement with France may sound "we stay neutral regarding Netherlands & aid whatever fro-French faction in the Baltics".
 
That depends in what they achieve in Second Anglo-Dutch War. If the goal "restore William of Orange" is achieved, then the 1670-1671 agreement with France may sound "we stay neutral regarding Netherlands & aid whatever fro-French faction in the Baltics".
Hmm interesting, given English antipathy toward foreign wars st this point would Maria or Christine make the better bride
 
As of 1660 when the bride would be chosen that depends on who can get more clout with Privy Council (like in choosing Charles' own wife).
 
As of 1660 when the bride would be chosen that depends on who can get more clout with Privy Council (like in choosing Charles' own wife).
This is true, considering the trading England did was mainly from the Dutch from what I can tell
 
Couple of questions regarding Pfalz-Denmark matches:

I think that actually it may be approaching OTL number of Christian's kids. Since Christian shouldn't be persuaded to have sex with his wife. So, 4-5 surviving children and some more dying in infancy are OK number.

  • Wouldn't Liselotte close her legs like OTL. Don't mean to be crass, but after three kids (an heir, a spare and a daughter) she seemed to say "job done" (although this could've been a mutual decision between she and her husband). If she has to still put up with a mistress like Ms. Moth (which may or may not bring up memories of her parents) she might do this earlier (in theory).
  • Would an age-appropriate daughter still be considered for Josef I since his OTL wife has married his OTL maternal uncle? I think considering both of this girl's OTL parents had a daughter considered for Josef her chances would be good. Sophie Hedwig of Denmark refused on grounds of religion while Élisabeth Charlotte Jr was refused due to shifting political tectonic plates.
  • Wouldn't two matches between Denmark and the Palatinate be seen as either/or? I mean, otherwise wouldn't it be seen as Denmark either having undue influence in Germany or a waste of a potential alliance (since Vilhelmina might be useless for an alliance, what about Abbess of Herford/Quedlinburg/Itzehoe) . Ulrike could either end up in Sweden as OTL or somewhere else (Courland maybe?) Or is the Palatinate important enough that it merits a double match?
 
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