Le Grande Mademoiselle weds a Ferdinand

Le grande mademoiselle, Anne Marie (Anne_Marie_Louise_d'Orléans,_Duchess_of_Montpensier) desired to wed Ferdinand III after the death of Maria Anna of Spain, but it appears Mazarin blocked putting out feelers for such a match. What if say Mazarin wasn't influential enough to block the outreach, how would the court in Vienna respond? If such a wedding were to take place how does this affect things?

Alternatively there was also the possibility of a marriage between her and Ferdinand Cardinal-Infante proposed by Anne of Austria, Queen of France. What if mademoiselle was open to it. How would it work out? Philip iv was very suspicious of him but Ferdinand III appears to have had a good relationship with the cardinal-infante so he could also support the match.
 
Le grande mademoiselle, Anne Marie (Anne_Marie_Louise_d'Orléans,_Duchess_of_Montpensier) desired to wed Ferdinand III after the death of Maria Anna of Spain, but it appears Mazarin blocked putting out feelers for such a match. What if say Mazarin wasn't influential enough to block the outreach, how would the court in Vienna respond? If such a wedding were to take place how does this affect things?

Alternatively there was also the possibility of a marriage between her and Ferdinand Cardinal-Infante proposed by Anne of Austria, Queen of France. What if mademoiselle was open to it. How would it work out? Philip iv was very suspicious of him but Ferdinand III appears to have had a good relationship with the cardinal-infante so he could also support the match.

That marriage contract better be cast-iron clad to avoid the awkwardness of a Habsburg owning some rather rich lands in France.

La Montpensier ruined her prospects in the Fronde (when she fired on Turenne's troops, Mazarin commented "with that cannon, la Mademoiselle has killed her husband (i.e. a marriage to the young Louis XIV)"). So, if she does that earlier - Gaston was always plotting and Montpensier was (IIRC) very much her father's supporter, ergo it mightn't be unlikely that Gaston plots against the cardinal, Montpensier gets caught up in it, and as a result, the Queen and Cardinal are very glad to see the back of her.
 

Vitruvius

Donor
I'm not sure about the Cardinal Infante, Olivares had been telling Philip for years that he was too ambitious so I think that colored Philip's perception of him despite his abilities, ie Philip would be afraid that Fernando would form an alliance with France to set himself up as Prince in the Spanish Netherlands. Also he'd have to live longer and you'd have to have some period of peace between France and Spain during which such a marriage could be negotiated.

As for the Emperor I read that upon hearing Mazarin's suggestion that that he marry her he recommended that she exchange her ancestral lands in France for French occupied upper Alsace and Breisach which would form her dowry. That was kind of a non-starter as the French were not about to give up those hard won territories especially while they were still at war with Spain and the territories in question sat astride the Spanish Road.

I'd add one more Ferdinand to the list, Ferdinand Charles the Archduke of Further Austria and the Tyrol. If he hadn't married Anna de' Medici the Grande Mademoiselle would be a very attractive bride given her wealth. It would be pretty interesting. He's of a lesser rank than the Emperor but I think a smart man like Mazarin could see the value in setting up a potential rival in Austria, especially one with a French wife. And given how ambitious she is I could totally see her pushing her husband's candidacy for Emperor to succeed Ferdinand III.
 
I'm not sure about the Cardinal Infante, Olivares had been telling Philip for years that he was too ambitious so I think that colored Philip's perception of him despite his abilities, ie Philip would be afraid that Fernando would form an alliance with France to set himself up as Prince in the Spanish Netherlands. Also he'd have to live longer and you'd have to have some period of peace between France and Spain during which such a marriage could be negotiated.

As for the Emperor I read that upon hearing Mazarin's suggestion that that he marry her he recommended that she exchange her ancestral lands in France for French occupied upper Alsace and Breisach which would form her dowry. That was kind of a non-starter as the French were not about to give up those hard won territories especially while they were still at war with Spain and the territories in question sat astride the Spanish Road.

I'd add one more Ferdinand to the list, Ferdinand Charles the Archduke of Further Austria and the Tyrol. If he hadn't married Anna de' Medici the Grande Mademoiselle would be a very attractive bride given her wealth. It would be pretty interesting. He's of a lesser rank than the Emperor but I think a smart man like Mazarin could see the value in setting up a potential rival in Austria, especially one with a French wife. And given how ambitious she is I could totally see her pushing her husband's candidacy for Emperor to succeed Ferdinand III.

Like the idea of Ferdinand Charles and the territory swap, I see what you mean about them though and even if it went through, the French would probably try to reconquer them anyway. On the Cardinal-Infante, I was hoping that Ferdinand III would advocate for him. Maybe even convince the Further line to give him some territory (maybe Landgrivate of Sundgau) and that'll help create some balance for the match. Gives the infante a power base to retire to while Olivares screws the pooch.
 
That marriage contract better be cast-iron clad to avoid the awkwardness of a Habsburg owning some rather rich lands in France.

La Montpensier ruined her prospects in the Fronde (when she fired on Turenne's troops, Mazarin commented "with that cannon, la Mademoiselle has killed her husband (i.e. a marriage to the young Louis XIV)"). So, if she does that earlier - Gaston was always plotting and Montpensier was (IIRC) very much her father's supporter, ergo it mightn't be unlikely that Gaston plots against the cardinal, Montpensier gets caught up in it, and as a result, the Queen and Cardinal are very glad to see the back of her.

We have a very brief window between 1646 (Maria Anna dies) & 1648 (Fronde starts) to avoid the mess of the Fronde so it is possible for her to wed either the Emperor or Ferdinand Charles. Agree on the marriage contract stipulations will be quite strict, alternately it would give the French convenient excuse to exappropriate the lands during wartime.
 
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