Sons of Ferdinand I (HRE) as dukes in Silesia

I was wondering if anyone in the forum could posit theories as to why Ferdinand I split the Austrian hereditary lands in the manner he did? and what alternatives could have been done to better apportion territory.

An alternative division that has been ruminating in my head is to say give Charles (of Innsbruck) and Ferdinand (of Tyrol) ducal patrimony in Silesia like the Duchy of Opole (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_of_Opole) which was a Habsburg possesion in 1558 and the Duchy of Głogów (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duchy_of_Głogów), some of the other duchies were sold by their sovereigns at the time, could've been purchased and enfeoffed on these son's instead. A possible con could be brother's conflict with one princeling competing against the other for King of Bohemia but at least for Ferdinand's sons that seems unlikely. What do you all think?

Thanks
 
So I edited the title to be more specific to the scenario, additionally I thought it would interest members of the forum who follow the PLC. A duke in Silesia may be an attractive candidate for the PLC elections following the extinction of the Jagiellon dynasty in the PLC. (This couldn't have been anticipated at the time but the scenario can still be discussed)
 
So I edited the title to be more specific to the scenario, additionally I thought it would interest members of the forum who follow the PLC. A duke in Silesia may be an attractive candidate for the PLC elections following the extinction of the Jagiellon dynasty in the PLC. (This couldn't have been anticipated at the time but the scenario can still be discussed)
Actually a cadet Jagiellon can also be a Silesian duke.
 
Actually a cadet Jagiellon can also be a Silesian duke.

Interesting idea but by the time frame in question circa 1554, I think the only male jagiellon left was Sigismund II Augustus. Unless we go back I think by 2 generations to Sigismund the olds' brothers it'll be difficult.
 
Interesting idea but by the time frame in question circa 1554, I think the only male jagiellon left was Sigismund II Augustus. Unless we go back I think by 2 generations to Sigismund the olds' brothers it'll be difficult.
Yes...I think a Habsburg duke is possible...I think someone married to the younger daughters of Sigismund the old.
 
If Ferdinand's second son (Archduke Ferdinand of Tirol) has not fell in love with Philippine Welser, he is likely candidate to marry Sigismund's daughter (Catherine was closest in age to him, so rather her).

BTW Ferdinand I planned to give Duchy of Opole to John Sigismund Zapolya in 1551. Ferdinand promised to his mother Isabella, that he would also pay her 100 000 florens for estates they left in Hungary and guaranteed 25 000 florens of income from Duchy of Opole, but in fact Ferdinand had no money to pay them and Duchy was so so ruined that they had even no proper residence and instead in Silesia they had to live in Poland, where Isabella's brother Sigismund Augustus took care of them.
No surprise Ferdinand have not send his own sons there.
 
If Ferdinand's second son (Archduke Ferdinand of Tirol) has not fell in love with Philippine Welser, he is likely candidate to marry Sigismund's daughter (Catherine was closest in age to him, so rather her).

BTW Ferdinand I planned to give Duchy of Opole to John Sigismund Zapolya in 1551. Ferdinand promised to his mother Isabella, that he would also pay her 100 000 florens for estates they left in Hungary and guaranteed 25 000 florens of income from Duchy of Opole, but in fact Ferdinand had no money to pay them and Duchy was so so ruined that they had even no proper residence and instead in Silesia they had to live in Poland, where Isabella's brother Sigismund Augustus took care of them.
No surprise Ferdinand have not send his own sons there.

Intriguing, I knew about the trade w/ Isabella and the Zapolya's in exchanging opole for their claims in Hungary but I didn't know the duchy was that impoverished. Do you happen to have sources on this? Thanks
 
Intriguing, I knew about the trade w/ Isabella and the Zapolya's in exchanging opole for their claims in Hungary but I didn't know the duchy was that impoverished. Do you happen to have sources on this? Thanks

Perhaps it would be good if the reestablished Opole Duchy has Czestochowa due to it being a Pilgrimage site..
 
Intriguing, I knew about the trade w/ Isabella and the Zapolya's in exchanging opole for their claims in Hungary but I didn't know the duchy was that impoverished. Do you happen to have sources on this? Thanks
Unfortunately my sources are in Polish. Duchy was ruined after being managed by Georg Hohenzollern, so maybe getting rid of him would improve situation.
 
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