Survival of the Sforzas

The Kings of this period were far more imaginative than we give them credit for: Henry VIII was offered variously the Imperial Crown, to be made Imperial Vicar, and even Milan: Charles V considered marrying Anne of Bohemia himself: there were plans to divide France in three: a separate Kingdom of Italy was definitely considered at some point. Just comb through contemporary diplomacy and you'll come across all manner of interesting proposals (that the eldest son and daughter of Mary Stuart be betrothed to the eldest son and daughter of Elizabeth Tudor, etc).

When was Henry VIII offered the imperial crown?:confused:
 
The only Imperial Vicariate (there were a few), would be the same some other kings of England had, Imperial Vicar west of the Rhine.

As intriguing a Tudor Milan seems, I'm sure Valois and Habsburg were both against that.

I'm assuming a Tudor Milan depends upon a POD after the War of the Roses to work...
 
Still, when? A ruler did not need land withi the Empire to be elected Emperor?

Well IOTL Francis I of France was also considered as a candidate. Actually having lands within the empire was a huge advantage though, since that meant fewer conflicting interests and taking the interests of the empire into account.
In that regard, Charles V, was somewhat a failed experiment for the Empire; in short too Spanish for the Empire and too Imperial for Spain. It's no coincidence, that Charles could not get Philip II to become the successor of his uncle Ferdinand. Ferdinand started to take the interests of his own branch of the dynasty into account and the Prince-Electors didn't want another Emperor, who spend too much time outside the Empire.
 
Well IOTL Francis I of France was also considered as a candidate. Actually having lands within the empire was a huge advantage though, since that meant fewer conflicting interests and taking the interests of the empire into account.
In that regard, Charles V, was somewhat a failed experiment for the Empire; in short too Spanish for the Empire and too Imperial for Spain. It's no coincidence, that Charles could not get Philip II to become the successor of his uncle Ferdinand. Ferdinand started to take the interests of his own branch of the dynasty into account and the Prince-Electors didn't want another Emperor, who spend too much time outside the Empire.

Francis I as emperor would have been inreresting:eek:
 
Francis I as emperor would have been inreresting:eek:
It certainly would've. Though most alt-history threads don't go with a lasting Valois-Orléans-Angoulême HRE.

But another consideration would've been when and how the Sforza would react to Pope Paul III creating the duchy of Parma being created out of their territory.
 
It certainly would've. Though most alt-history threads don't go with a lasting Valois-Orléans-Angoulême HRE.

But another consideration would've been when and how the Sforza would react to Pope Paul III creating the duchy of Parma being created out of their territory.

c'est vrai.
 
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