The Defrocked Cardinal-Infante

If the Cardinal-Infante Fernando of Spain had lived, would he have been defrocked when Baltasar Carlos, prince of the Asturias, died? Would he have renounced the cardinalate in order to marry and beget heirs for the Spanish monarchy? Or would Felipe IV have refused to allow the petitioning of the pope for such?
 
An interesting and relatively enigmatic character of early 16th century Spain was Ferdinand's imediatelly elder brother, infante Charles of Austria.

I know that your question specifically approached Ferdinand, but Charles was interesting too, since IOTL he was, indeed, used as a political pawn to overthrow Olivares and diminish his influence.

With Balthazar dying, both Charles and Ferdinand could've taken larger roles in the political game of the court of Madrid (if they didn't die as young as they did). Ferdinand could have never married, probably he would stay a cardinal, but the two younger siblings of Philip IV could maybe have formed a coalition to impose their will and plans. In other words, Charles would be only a figurehead, while Ferdinand would be the mastermind behind the plans to sabotage Philip.

Two austrian archduchesses, either Maria Anna or maybe Cecilia Renata, maternal first-cousins to the brothers and also sisters to Emperor Ferdinand III, could have fullfilled the role as a wife to one of them. The Habsburgs would be safe for at least one more generation.
 
With Balthazar dying, both Charles and Ferdinand could've taken larger roles in the political game of the court of Madrid (if they didn't die as young as they did). Ferdinand could have never married, probably he would stay a cardinal, but the two younger siblings of Philip IV could maybe have formed a coalition to impose their will and plans. In other words, Charles would be only a figurehead, while Ferdinand would be the mastermind behind the plans to sabotage Philip.

I agree that the younger infantes could've taken a larger role (in theory) with the death of the prince of the Asturias, but by the time of his death, both their first cousins archduchesses are already married, one to Munich and one to Warsaw. Also, Olivares played up the rivalry between Felipe IV and his brothers and made the king believe they were after the throne. Ergo, the king basically left Carlos as being able to do nothing, and Fernando himself was hamstrung by the Conseil d'Etat in the Netherlands, that were under secret orders to refer everything to Madrid.

But as to defrocking Fernando, Habsburg cardinals had been defrocked before (Archduke Albert is an example), and if he's the only other male in the succession besides Felipe himself, the king may have no choice but to consider that (if Queen Isabel (who, much like her double-sister-in-law in France, Anne of Austria, a dedicated opponent of the prime minister, but powerless to do anything about him) lives) or to legitimize Don Juan (which Queen Isabel was against in the first place).
 
I agree that the younger infantes could've taken a larger role (in theory) with the death of the prince of the Asturias, but by the time of his death, both their first cousins archduchesses are already married, one to Munich and one to Warsaw. Also, Olivares played up the rivalry between Felipe IV and his brothers and made the king believe they were after the throne. Ergo, the king basically left Carlos as being able to do nothing, and Fernando himself was hamstrung by the Conseil d'Etat in the Netherlands, that were under secret orders to refer everything to Madrid.

But as to defrocking Fernando, Habsburg cardinals had been defrocked before (Archduke Albert is an example), and if he's the only other male in the succession besides Felipe himself, the king may have no choice but to consider that (if Queen Isabel (who, much like her double-sister-in-law in France, Anne of Austria, a dedicated opponent of the prime minister, but powerless to do anything about him) lives) or to legitimize Don Juan (which Queen Isabel was against in the first place).

Actually none of the Habsburg Cardinals would really be defrocked, as they never took more then minor orders for that very reason. Assuming that Infante Carlos is already dead, then Fernando is now second in line after his niece. There would be no question of making Don Juan Jose the heir (the King's brother and the Imperial Habsburgs would have a fit, not to mention France and the nobility), so assuming Queen Elizabeth is still alive and there's little chance of an heir from the King, Fernando will have to resign the Cardinalate and marry. Sadly he'd probably be married to his niece Maria Theresa.
 
Actually none of the Habsburg Cardinals would really be defrocked, as they never took more then minor orders for that very reason. Assuming that Infante Carlos is already dead, then Fernando is now second in line after his niece. There would be no question of making Don Juan Jose the heir (the King's brother and the Imperial Habsburgs would have a fit, not to mention France and the nobility), so assuming Queen Elizabeth is still alive and there's little chance of an heir from the King, Fernando will have to resign the Cardinalate and marry. Sadly he'd probably be married to his niece Maria Theresa.

Who would then be the "actual" monarch of Spain? Maria Teresa or Fernando? Or would it be Ferdinand and Isabella situation? And might they not marry him elsewhere, given the fact that she's about 9 and ergo quite far from being able to have kids? Like to a Tyrolean archduchess - AFAIK both Maria Leopoldina and Isabella Klara were still free?
 
Who would then be the "actual" monarch of Spain? Maria Teresa or Fernando? Or would it be Ferdinand and Isabella situation? And might they not marry him elsewhere, given the fact that she's about 9 and ergo quite far from being able to have kids? Like to a Tyrolean archduchess - AFAIK both Maria Leopoldina and Isabella Klara were still free?

It would be sensible to defrock Ferdinand, but would Spain really want that, since all other major Catholic power would be reluctant.

AFAIK Castille a male preference succession, but structly speaking Aragon preferred Salic succession.

Anyway Ferdinand's main problem is his niece, well if he wants the throne. As long as she lives, he and any of his potential heirs would be second in line (if not further). If they somehow would have the only male Spanish Habsburg, then there might be some possibilities. OTOH given the time and age, there might be a civil war and thus a European war.
 
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