In OTL Mary Stuart was opposed to the idea of marrying Charles II, Archduke of Inner Austria, but what if in she had been more open to the concept and offered a proposal? Also, what if Mary had also taken the time to align herself with the powerful Catholic nobles and Highland lords rather than sympathizing with
Mary would likely insist on remaining in mourning for Francis the traditional year following his death, and even return to Scotland alone, like in OTL, as a way of showing herself returning as the most powerful person in Scotland by right of birth; however, after a year in passing she sends for Charles. The two are married by Proxy so he might travel with his new title as "King-Consort of Scots," and once he arrives in Scotland, with his own foreign military forces to back his and Mary's rule against the Protestants who might oppose the ULTRA-CATHOLIC match, the two would be married in Edinburgh in a papist ceremony.
Given Charles's own OTL goals of strengthening the power of the Catholic faith in the realm of inner-Austria, I'd see him also pressing to push out the Protestants in Scotland, perhaps even to the extent of encouraging a Jesuit movement. However, given his brother, HRE Maximilian, favoring Elizabeth on the throne of England I could also see him persuading Mary not to so intently pursue it and to focus more on the well-being of Scotland.
Thoughts?????
Mary would likely insist on remaining in mourning for Francis the traditional year following his death, and even return to Scotland alone, like in OTL, as a way of showing herself returning as the most powerful person in Scotland by right of birth; however, after a year in passing she sends for Charles. The two are married by Proxy so he might travel with his new title as "King-Consort of Scots," and once he arrives in Scotland, with his own foreign military forces to back his and Mary's rule against the Protestants who might oppose the ULTRA-CATHOLIC match, the two would be married in Edinburgh in a papist ceremony.
Given Charles's own OTL goals of strengthening the power of the Catholic faith in the realm of inner-Austria, I'd see him also pressing to push out the Protestants in Scotland, perhaps even to the extent of encouraging a Jesuit movement. However, given his brother, HRE Maximilian, favoring Elizabeth on the throne of England I could also see him persuading Mary not to so intently pursue it and to focus more on the well-being of Scotland.
Thoughts?????