alternatehistory.com

In our time-line, Louis XIV of France, the Sun King, had a hard time with heirs. It wasn’t that he had trouble “producing” them, oh no he had quite a few, but in a short space of time they had almost all succumbed one way or another to death, leaving one infant great grandson, Louis duc d’Anjou, who would later become Louis XV. As is always the case there were other possibilities, more or less favoured, for the throne. Felipe V of Spain, grandson to the Sun King, was prohibited by the treaty of Utrecht to the throne, due to the absolute horror of the rest of Europe of any possible France-Spain union. It was bad enough that the two kingdoms were run by the same family (the Bourbons incidentally). But he claimed that by French law he could not be denied his right. The other was Philippe II, Duc d’Orléans, who OTL became regent to the young Louis XV, but was the closest heir should the young king die; at least he was considered so by certain sectors.

Of course, OTL Louis didn’t die and grew up to be first beloved, and then detested by his subjects. But he was a sickly child. He barely survived a bout of measles that killed his brother. So what if...

Chapter 1: The Sickly Dauphin

It’s March 1712, the young Louis, duc d’Anjou is being treated by his governess, Madame de Ventadour, who has valiantly held off any doctors by locking herself in the nursery with the infant. No-one will be letting this dauphin’s blood[1]. But smallpox is a nasty illness; one that kills more often than not, and while Madame de Ventadour’s care proves effective, Louis is badly debilitated by the malady[2].

He has survived by 1713, but as a result is a weak child susceptible to illness. He is also covered in pox marks, leading to his derogative nickname “The Poxed Prince”. Despite all this Madame de Ventadour still believes that he will survive to become king, hopefully becoming stronger with age. And as for the poxes, everyone at court wears make-up anyway.

At first the frailty of the dauphin does not worry Louis XIV. He concludes the treaty of Utrecht[3], with Felipe renouncing all claims on France (despite the fact that several in France dispute the legality of such a move[4]). But as the time comes to make his will, he makes it on the assumption that the young prince will most likely die before adult-hood. He leaves the regency to his recently legitimised son by his mistress Madame de Montspan, Louis-Auguste de Bourbon, duc du Maine. The duc du Maine fiercely opposes the duc d’Orléans who is left out of the regency. He is not the king’s favourite nephew; the old king does not like they way he flaunts his pregnant mistresses around the court and they have had a falling out over a dowry payment. And while most in France expect the duc to soon be king, Louis XIV would much prefer his grandson Felipe, who rules in Spain, to take his place. As such he secretly communicates with Felipe his support, and more importantly, those who will support him after he’s gone. However the duc d’Orléans has his own supporters.

The king dies in August 1715 of gangrene[5] and thus, the young, frail duc d’Anjou is crowned King of France. Immediately, plays for power are made by the different factions. Philippe has the support of the old noblesse d’épée, the old noble families whose influence was greatly diminished during the reign of the Sun King as well as the Parlement de Paris, with which he attempts to nullify the king’s will with their authority; however it was quashed by the regent and the Parlement removed. The move is very unpopular and an uprising results in Paris with Louis and his supporters this time succeeding in cancelling the old king’s will and making him regent. Louis-Auguste is forced to flee to Toulouse, taking refuge with his brother the comte de Toulouse. The move also allows for a closer correspondence with Felipe who can quickly move across the border should anything happen. But by moving south he has lost a great deal of influence. While most of the country remains indifferent to the intrigues taking place certain camps have started forming for the different sides involved.

Philippe quickly moves to create an alliance to counter Felipe however he meets with certain problems. Events in Britain prevent the English from committing[6], and while the Holy Roman Emperor promises men, he is occupied by the Ottomans at the time. The Dutch however are eager to prevent Felipe’s ascendance and a loose alliance of sorts is formed. Philippe is really quite unlucky that his conflict takes place during such a tumultuous period in the rest of Europe.

Felipe has also been preparing internationally for the conflict. He makes peace with the Portuguese with whom he was still technically at war and who avoid conflict without England. In Italy he manages, with the help of his wife’s influence[7], and an agreement to recognise the title of King of Sicily for the duke[8], Savoy allied with Spain.

So it is that March 1716 arrives and leaves behind a dead king Louis XV who finally succumbs to tuberculosis. The sides have been drawn all that remains is the battle...

**********
[1] - It is thought that the duc de Bretagne, Louis XV elder brother, most probably died from the blood letting rather than the illness. Either way it didn't help
[2] - OTL Madame de ventadour's care was extremely effective and cured the young boy completely. By the way it is uncertain wether it was smallpox or measles, but I've chosen smallpox here.
[3] - The treaty of Utrecht brought to an end the War of Spanish Sucession, leaving Felipe king of Spain with the conditions mentioned. It's also notable for the territories exchanged. Here is the relevant Wikipedia page. Here it's kept mostly OTL, except that this peace also include the Holy Roman Emperor who OTL continued the war a while longer.
[4] - Felipe certainly claimed, along with some in France, that this was disallowed by Salic law.
[5] - Ever so slightly sooner than OTL
[6] - Coming soon...
[7] - OTL Felipe's wife Maria Louisa of Savoy died aged only 26, in 1714. TTL she has avoided the illness and still lives.
[8] - Savoy was awarded Sicily in the Treaty of Utrecht, and while the starts sporting the title king for a while, he is not recognised by the Pope or the Spanish and evetually he is forced to swap with Austria for the less valuable Sardinia.


So here we go. Good? Bad? Ugly? Comments please!!

Oh and the inevitable union of France and Spain shall soon come. Be afraid, be very afraid...
Top