How long could Protestant Navarre have lasted?

In the 16th century, Queen Joan III of Navarre converted to Calvinism and declared it the official religion of the Kingdom of Navarre. Her son, Henry continued her policies until he converted to Catholicism to gain the crown of France. If, for some reason, the Bourbons don't end up Kings of France, how long could an independent Protestant Kingdom of Navarre, sandwiched between Catholic France and Spain, have lasted?
 
In the 16th century, Queen Joan III of Navarre converted to Calvinism and declared it the official religion of the Kingdom of Navarre. Her son, Henry continued her policies until he converted to Catholicism to gain the crown of France. If, for some reason, the Bourbons don't end up Kings of France, how long could an independent Protestant Kingdom of Navarre, sandwiched between Catholic France and Spain, have lasted?

It depends on England really. If the English want a continental presence, Navarre could end up being involved in all of the Anglo-French wars if they agree on an alliance while the little Kingdom survives on. This will give them protection from both sides, although they will likely be forced into fighting on their East whenever England wants to.

If the English don't give a damn because they are tried of the continent after the War of The Roses, then Navarre would need to make itself unattractive to attack. Since they can't build a larger field army, making better anti-canon siege defenses might work. Whenever the enemy attacks, just gather the food and hide away while the enemy starves.

Or the Kingdom might revert to Catholicism peacefully. I can imagine Henry converting anyways.
 
In the 16th century, Queen Joan III of Navarre converted to Calvinism and declared it the official religion of the Kingdom of Navarre. Her son, Henry continued her policies until he converted to Catholicism to gain the crown of France. If, for some reason, the Bourbons don't end up Kings of France, how long could an independent Protestant Kingdom of Navarre, sandwiched between Catholic France and Spain, have lasted?

It's amazing that it lasted as long as IOTL. Navarre proper was just a little slice of land after the conquest of the core of the kingdom by Ferdinand II of Aragon. Most of lands Joan controlled were French fiefs, and eventually the French crown could impose Catholicism there. I can only see it happening if the French are more tolerant towards Protestantism, and they see those Huguenots on the border as an important buffer against Spain.
 

Vitruvius

Donor
Wouldn't it depend on how the surviving Valois Kings handled the religious situation in France? Since the Bourbons had large estates elsewhere in France (IIRC Vendome, Albret and Limoges) they're going to be entangled in French affairs and very concerned with the religious settlement in France. Navarre might end up sandwiched between a Catholic Spain and religiously divided France which could take the pressure off. Though it is an interesting idea since who, besides England, would Navarre align with?
 
Wouldn't it depend on how the surviving Valois Kings handled the religious situation in France? Since the Bourbons had large estates elsewhere in France (IIRC Vendome, Albret and Limoges) they're going to be entangled in French affairs and very concerned with the religious settlement in France. Navarre might end up sandwiched between a Catholic Spain and religiously divided France which could take the pressure off. Though it is an interesting idea since who, besides England, would Navarre align with?

If we're not limiting allies to just other Protestant nations, including but not limited to England and the Netherlands, maybe Portugal?
 
I can see France trying to protect Navarre from incorporation by Spain by offering some sort of protection. This assumes France becomes the pragmatic power it did OTL justifying supporting non-catholics as a way to screw over Austria and Spain. I doubt Spain would let France incorporate an independent Navarre without a fight and I doubt France would bother instigate over such a small piece of land. So I imagine that Navarre would survive as a buffer until the next Franco-Spanish war. Or else it might even become another Andorra if it's decided that it's too complicated to unravel in a peace treaty.

Just thinking about it, it's rather curious that a fairly insignificant dynasty such as the Bourbon's would OTL end up sitting on the throne of both of it's state's great power neighbours.
 
Just thinking about it, it's rather curious that a fairly insignificant dynasty such as the Bourbon's would OTL end up sitting on the throne of both of it's state's great power neighbours.

The demise of the House of Valois seems pretty farfetched when you think about it. First Henri II dies at the age of 40 in a jousting accident, then none of his four sons produces an heir, and then Henri de Navarre, who came within a milimeter of being killed about a dozen times, outlasts them all and becomes king.
 
Top