alternatehistory.com

... is what some historians call the potential strong alliance - or union - between Spain and England in the 16th century.

Such an alliance was attempted to form several times by marriages.
For instance:

__________________
1501 Cathrine, daughter to the Catholic Kings Isabella of Castilia and Ferdinand of Aragon, marries Arthur Tudor, son of King Henry VII of England and heir to the English throne;

1509 after Arthur's death, aforementioned Cathrine marries King Henry VIII of England.

1554 Mary Tudor, Queen of England, marries Philipp, King of Naples, and son of Holy Roman Emperor and Spanish King Charles, and heir to the Spanish throne.
____________________

All these alliances remained without issue, so the Atlantic Empire never came into existence.

The strategic idea behind is simple: Combine two of the three strongest sea-faring powers.

But now imagine the union would come into effect.

Then it would certainly come into conflict with France over Italy, the Burgundian Circle (Low Countries), and the former English spheres of influence on the continent, as Britanny. Moreover, the new alliance would encircle France from literally all sides (including the sea).

Moreover, "Atlantis" will be the dominant power in Europe. Together with their hegemonic claim to Italy, this will inspire the Pope as well as smaller entities like Ferrara or Mantua to cooperate with France.

Such a union will necessarily weaken the ties to Portugal which Spain has woven diligently over time; after all, one can't be married to everyone. But there is no reason Atlantis can't be good friends with Portugal unless a direct provocation or field of rivalry is created.

However, the connection from Spain to the Austrian Habsburgs will not only suffer from more distant biological relationship, but more so from envy: The Austrian line will dislike being a marginal part of a giant entity, and emancipate themselves to pursue independent policies. Again, this does not automatically mean they will become enemies of the Spanish line; but at least they will do little to stop other German princes to cooperate with France and thus threat Burgundy from two sides. There are many candidates for this role.

Scotland is likely to stick to France due to its conflicts with England.

Denmark/the Kalmar Union is a potential ally for Scotland and/or France.

France may or may not entertain an alliance to the Ottomans; as IOTL, this makes it possible to keep footholds in the Maghreb, and thus at least challenge the communication lines from Spain to Sicily and Naples.
If France does so and this is known, this will inspire Austria, Poland, and Hungary to hostility to France as well, as these countries are most concerned by the Ottomans.

===================

Do you have any other ideas about the consequences of such an alliance?
Top