Ispired by discussion in Bavaria Unites Germany thread:
https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/ahc-bavaria-unites-germany.458221/
As title says, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I can't have children. Serious changes would start after his marriage with Mary of Burgundy, which would obviously remain childless. That is certainly change significant enough to butterfly away Mary's horse ridding accident, so let's say Mary outlives Max ITTL. So Maximilian's obvious heirs would be his nephews, sons of Kunigunde of Austria and Albert IV of Bavaria. But after Mary's childless death there is no clear successor of Burgundian Inheritance, Max surely would want to secure succession of his nephew also there (with what effect?). Max' position in Low Countries is both better (Mary lives) and worse (no kids by Mary). Claims of Wilhelm of Bavaria would be really weak, Mary is just his aunt by marriage, but someone have to rule Netherlands, and Wittelsbach should be more acceptable than other alternative: French rule. Inheriting Habsburg lands Wittelsbchs should also get support of Fuggers (who had copper mines in Tirol) during Imperial Election, this, and close kinship with previous Emperor, should be enough to ensure victory. Austro-Bavaria would be far bigger than any other state of HRE, especially if Low Countries are added, but it is still not as good as IOTL Austria + Bohemia (Bohemia has given Habsburgs royal title and Electoral vote), but there is solid unification of Southern Germany at least, unless lands are divided again: Maximilian had two nephews. And there are going to be massive changes in surronding countries, and also in Iberia (no double Habsburg-Trastamara marriages) and England...
https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/ahc-bavaria-unites-germany.458221/
As title says, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I can't have children. Serious changes would start after his marriage with Mary of Burgundy, which would obviously remain childless. That is certainly change significant enough to butterfly away Mary's horse ridding accident, so let's say Mary outlives Max ITTL. So Maximilian's obvious heirs would be his nephews, sons of Kunigunde of Austria and Albert IV of Bavaria. But after Mary's childless death there is no clear successor of Burgundian Inheritance, Max surely would want to secure succession of his nephew also there (with what effect?). Max' position in Low Countries is both better (Mary lives) and worse (no kids by Mary). Claims of Wilhelm of Bavaria would be really weak, Mary is just his aunt by marriage, but someone have to rule Netherlands, and Wittelsbach should be more acceptable than other alternative: French rule. Inheriting Habsburg lands Wittelsbchs should also get support of Fuggers (who had copper mines in Tirol) during Imperial Election, this, and close kinship with previous Emperor, should be enough to ensure victory. Austro-Bavaria would be far bigger than any other state of HRE, especially if Low Countries are added, but it is still not as good as IOTL Austria + Bohemia (Bohemia has given Habsburgs royal title and Electoral vote), but there is solid unification of Southern Germany at least, unless lands are divided again: Maximilian had two nephews. And there are going to be massive changes in surronding countries, and also in Iberia (no double Habsburg-Trastamara marriages) and England...