PC: Mary Stuart Marries the Grand Dauphin

How could the proposed much of Mary, daughter of James Duke of York, to Louis, the Grand Dauphin actually occur? Politically what would be required for Louis XIV to actually agree to this match? And what would the ramifications of this match be?

Alternatively if Mary marrying the Grand Dauphin is just too out of reach, who, besides William of Orange, could she marry?
 
The problem wasn't Louis XIV.

Charles II originally wanted such a match for Mary, but Parliament and public opinion at the time was notoriously anti-French and anti-Catholic. Alliance with the Catholic French had also become unfavorable in Charles' eyes at the time, a man who tended to flip flop in his allegiances, depending on what was favorable to him. Certainly there's nothing stopping Charles from arranging such a match, as it's within his prerogative, but there were also benefits in arranging a Protestant marriage. It was popular with the public, and he was also hoping that it might improve the popularity of the Catholic Duke of York (it didn't).

The ramifications would be huge—though it also depends on if Mary has surviving issue with the Dauphin. She wasn't lucky with the Prince of Orange, but they may of been a bad "match" in that sense.
 
The problem wasn't Louis XIV.

Charles II originally wanted such a match for Mary, but Parliament and public opinion at the time was notoriously anti-French and anti-Catholic. Alliance with the Catholic French had also become unfavorable in Charles' eyes at the time, a man who tended to flip flop in his allegiances, depending on what was favorable to him. Certainly there's nothing stopping Charles from arranging such a match, as it's within his prerogative, but there were also benefits in arranging a Protestant marriage. It was popular with the public, and he was also hoping that it might improve the popularity of the Catholic Duke of York (it didn't).

The ramifications would be huge—though it also depends on if Mary has surviving issue with the Dauphin. She wasn't lucky with the Prince of Orange, but they may of been a bad "match" in that sense.

So its unlikely that the marriage would occur due to Charles being easily influenced by ministers, who were against the marriage. Well then what other potential husbands were there for Mary, if Charles decided against the William match?

Regarding issue, the problem was most likely William rather than Mary. William had a mistress during his marriage with Mary, but never had issue with either. Conversely, both James and Charles had children by their mistresses even if their wives had trouble giving them children.
 
So its unlikely that the marriage would occur due to Charles being easily influenced by ministers, who were against the marriage. Well then what other potential husbands were there for Mary, if Charles decided against the William match?

Regarding issue, the problem was most likely William rather than Mary. William had a mistress during his marriage with Mary, but never had issue with either. Conversely, both James and Charles had children by their mistresses even if their wives had trouble giving them children.

I don't really think Charles was influenced by his ministers in this respect. In this time frame, he'd secretly arranged the Treaty of Dover with Louis XIV in 1671, promising to war with the Dutch and also gaining a huge subsidy from the French that would allow give him a freer hand to reign without Parliament. It also required that he convert to Catholicism when it was most convenient, and Louis XIV promised to furnish troops for such an endeavor. Charles II essentially took the money and ran (though he did convert on his deathbed). What more likely IMO—he'd gotten everything that he'd wanted from Louis XIV, and saw no reason to get further into bed with the French by handing over England's heiress as wife to the Dauphin.

It could certainly be William's issue—but Mary was pregnant shortly after the marriage and suffered a miscarriage at Breda. It may of impaired her ability to conceive. She had illnesses in 1678, 1679, and 1680 that may of been miscarriages as well.

Other potential husbands—these are just some names I've pulled out through searching that were around Mary's age and unmarried. Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany, if Charles wants to expand his Italian policy? Ferdinando's father was keen on establishing the Medici name abroad at the time. Friedrich Augustus, son of the future Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, brother of the OTL George I of Great Britain. Charles II, Elector Palatine (sister of Liselotte, the second wife of Monsieur, le Duc d'Orléans). Johann Wilhelm, son of the Count Palatine of Neuburg. A long shot: Charles XI of Sweden is unmarried until 1680—perhaps one of his auxiliary relatives instead, such as Adolph John, Count Palatine of Kleeburg? Victor Amadeus, the Duke of Savoy? Philip of Hesse-Kassel. Frederick I of Prussia. Another long shot: Ferdinand Kettler, the second son of the Duke of Courland.
 
I don't really think Charles was influenced by his ministers in this respect. In this time frame, he'd secretly arranged the Treaty of Dover with Louis XIV in 1671, promising to war with the Dutch and also gaining a huge subsidy from the French that would allow give him a freer hand to reign without Parliament. It also required that he convert to Catholicism when it was most convenient, and Louis XIV promised to furnish troops for such an endeavor. Charles II essentially took the money and ran (though he did convert on his deathbed). What more likely IMO—he'd gotten everything that he'd wanted from Louis XIV, and saw no reason to get further into bed with the French by handing over England's heiress as wife to the Dauphin.

It could certainly be William's issue—but Mary was pregnant shortly after the marriage and suffered a miscarriage at Breda. It may of impaired her ability to conceive. She had illnesses in 1678, 1679, and 1680 that may of been miscarriages as well.

Other potential husbands—these are just some names I've pulled out through searching that were around Mary's age and unmarried. Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany, if Charles wants to expand his Italian policy? Ferdinando's father was keen on establishing the Medici name abroad at the time. Friedrich Augustus, son of the future Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, brother of the OTL George I of Great Britain. Charles II, Elector Palatine (sister of Liselotte, the second wife of Monsieur, le Duc d'Orléans). Johann Wilhelm, son of the Count Palatine of Neuburg. A long shot: Charles XI of Sweden is unmarried until 1680—perhaps one of his auxiliary relatives instead, such as Adolph John, Count Palatine of Kleeburg? Victor Amadeus, the Duke of Savoy? Philip of Hesse-Kassel. Frederick I of Prussia. Another long shot: Ferdinand Kettler, the second son of the Duke of Courland.

Historically, Charles was always worried about Republicanism and inflated the possibility of revolt. He wasn't paranoid but he overestimated how strong Republicanism was and misinterpreted why the English Civil War had happened. That was why he sought France's military support, because he wanted a large army to come to his aid if there was a revolt. And as you say the money allowed him to go without calling Parliament. In my eyes, Charles honestly wasn't very religious and becoming Catholic was much more political than personal. So you are probably right in saying Charles got what he wanted from Louis XIV and didn't want to get too tied to Louis or to further aggravate his subjects.

That misscarriage could easily be the issue. So basically as long as Mary has a successful pregnancy or a less disastrous misscarriage she could plausibly have children.

Of the suitors you selected, I really like the idea of Mary marrying Charles XI. Charles Xi has a strong army and decent navy, which could prompt Charles II to seek an alliance and marriage with him. In essence he could serve as an alternative should Louis XIV fail to come to his aid in case of revolt. Furthermore, Protestant soldiers might be more welcome than Catholic French soldiers. I also feel as if Rupert of the Rhine would support the match because he personally knew and liked Gustavus Adolphus. Meanwhile it provides the Swedes with a strong naval ally to help deal with Denmark-Norway. And as both Sweden and England are nominally French allies, I'm sure Louis XIV would encourage the match.
 
Historically, Charles was always worried about Republicanism and inflated the possibility of revolt. He wasn't paranoid but he overestimated how strong Republicanism was and misinterpreted why the English Civil War had happened. That was why he sought France's military support, because he wanted a large army to come to his aid if there was a revolt. And as you say the money allowed him to go without calling Parliament. In my eyes, Charles honestly wasn't very religious and becoming Catholic was much more political than personal. So you are probably right in saying Charles got what he wanted from Louis XIV and didn't want to get too tied to Louis or to further aggravate his subjects.

That misscarriage could easily be the issue. So basically as long as Mary has a successful pregnancy or a less disastrous misscarriage she could plausibly have children.

Of the suitors you selected, I really like the idea of Mary marrying Charles XI. Charles Xi has a strong army and decent navy, which could prompt Charles II to seek an alliance and marriage with him. In essence he could serve as an alternative should Louis XIV fail to come to his aid in case of revolt. Furthermore, Protestant soldiers might be more welcome than Catholic French soldiers. I also feel as if Rupert of the Rhine would support the match because he personally knew and liked Gustavus Adolphus. Meanwhile it provides the Swedes with a strong naval ally to help deal with Denmark-Norway. And as both Sweden and England are nominally French allies, I'm sure Louis XIV would encourage the match.

Yes, exactly. Charles II was definitely a chimera in his true allegiances, and he did what would suit him most. He definitely overestimated Republicanism, given that England was wholly supportive of his restoration, and the so-called Cavalier Parliament was pretty pliant to his demands—Charles II probably had one of the most easiest Parliaments of all the Stuart kings to deal with, because the body was overwhelmingly royalist—though it was Protestant too, and had no taste for Charles' Catholic foreign policy. Still, he didn't have the same issues that his father or brother had.

Yeah, I think Sweden could make a good match. It is a Protestant nation, and at this time, Sweden had a hegemony in the Baltic and was essentially a great power in it's own right. Sweden was heavily oriented to France as well, which sort of gives Charles a back door to continue a pro-French policy without openly siding with them. Louis XIV would certainly encourage such to a match to the Swedish King over the Prince of Orange. It may have effects on Dano-Swedish relations though, given I think the King's OTL marriage with a Danish Princess was used to bring about peace between the two countries.
 
Considering that for more than twenty years Sophie had not seen her brother, her grief seems a little excessive, but doubtless she lamented him for many reasons. The memory of old days dwelt with her all the more as she advanced in years, and latterly she had drawn nearer to her brother. By his means a marriage had been projected between Sophie's eldest son George and the Princess Anne, the second daughter of the Duke of York. During the progress of this negotiation, Sophie sent George over to England, on a visit to his uncle. She had some misgivings about his reception, for, as she confessed, George was not "assez beau" to resemble a Palatine in any way, though her second son Friedrich, or "Gustien," as she called him, was tall and handsome,—"the very image of Rupert" (Rupert tout crâché).[33] Gustien had, moreover, not only Rupert's handsome face and gigantic stature, but also his resolute character. "If he would have changed his religion, he might have succeeded well at the Imperial Court," {356} wrote his mother; "but he has too much of his uncle Rupert not to be firm in his religion."[34]

However, George, if less favoured by nature, was still the eldest son, and therefore of necessity the bridegroom elect. Notwithstanding his want of good looks he was very kindly received, both by King Charles and Rupert. The King declared that he would treat him "en cousin," and lodged him in Whitehall. Rupert paid him daily visits when his health allowed of it, but he was very ill, and often confined to his bed. "I went to visit Prince Rupert, who received me in bed," wrote George to his mother; "he has a malady in his leg, which makes him very often keep his bed; it appears that it is so, without any pretext, and that he has to take care of himself. He had not failed one day of coming to see me."[35]

But though entertained with "extraordinary magnificence,"[36] the Hanoverian was not favourably impressed with either England or the Princess Anne. The country was in a ferment over the alleged discovery of the Popish Plot, and George regarded the judicial murders then perpetrated with astonished disgust. "They cut off the head of Lord Stafford yesterday, and made no more ado than if they had chopped off the head of a pullet," he told his mother.[37]
Rupert was not against promoting family interests in this way, and what if instead of pimping (ugly) George I to Anne it is decided on Friedrich + Mary? Friedrich is better looking, he is a second son so he won't draw England into any personal unions, and he's a stouch Protestant.
The Sweden thing is also interesting, if not for scandal surrounding Karl XI first bride, and his dominating mother (who would be rather... weird in-law). If Palatines/Hanoverians decide on different suitor for a British princess, though...
 
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Peter II was already married
He is married but there is nothing stopping him from annulling his marriage with Maria Francisca of Savoy and marry Mary since Maria Francisca only produced a daughter named Isabel Luisa..

But Alfonso VI can marry Mary as well since he is divorced..
 
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He is married but there is nothing stopping him from annulling his marriage with Maria Francisca of Savoy and marry Mary since Maria Francisca only produced a daughter named Isabel Luisa..

But Alfonso VI can marry Mary as well since he is divorced..

Peter II was in love with Maria Francisca. She played a major role in the court intrigues that saw Alfonso VI driven out of power. After all, she wanted her marriage annulled precisely so she could marry Peter.

Alfonso was exiled to the Azores after his brother became Regent. He was mentally unstable and paralyzed on his left side. He couldn't even consummate his marriage to Maria Francisca. It's safe to say that Peter isn't letting him marry anyone. It's in his interests that Alfonso VI die without an heir.
 
Peter II was in love with Maria Francisca. She played a major role in the court intrigues that saw Alfonso VI driven out of power. After all, she wanted her marriage annulled precisely so she could marry Peter.

Alfonso was exiled to the Azores after his brother became Regent. He was mentally unstable and paralyzed on his left side. He couldn't even consummate his marriage to Maria Francisca. It's safe to say that Peter isn't letting him marry anyone. It's in his interests that Alfonso VI die without an heir.
the problem with Maria Francisca is that she only has a daughter..
 
the problem with Maria Francisca is that she only has a daughter..

So? Portugal, like Spain, didn't observe Salic Law. The Infanta Isabel Luisa was the presumptive heir for as long as her father lacked a male heir. She could've succeeded the throne without any issues. Peter obviously had no issues with the fact Maria Francisca had only given him a daughter—they were happily married and remained so until her death. He did remarry following her death and beget a son, but it obviously wasn't a necessity for him in the way it was for Henry VIII.

It's interesting, but Maria Luisa and the Portuguese succession has little to do with the question posed by Archduke though, so I digress. It'd be something worth discussing in another thread.
 
No love for my idea of plausible POD of switching Hanoverian grooms around?

I think it is possible. I don't see George marrying anyone besides Sophia Dorothea of Celle, quite honestly—despite Sophia of Hanover's disdain for her stemming from her irregular status and lack of royal blood, the marriage would secure additional incomes that were outside the confines of Salic Law, to the tune of almost 100,000 Thalers. George will certainly inherit Celle from his uncle regardless, but the extra income is too tempting to pass-up. I don't see the other Hanoverians being keen on seeing Sophia Dorothea marry abroad, either. It'd be possible, but I think her irregular birth is going to hold her back. She can't do much better than George as she did IOTL.
 
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