I'm working on my timeline again, and I'm currently working on the chapters dealing with Emperor Philip (OTL Philip the Fair, who died in Spain) in the aftermath of an Italian War which ended in the 1520s. He has largely delayed any diet dealing with Martin Luther to focus on his campaigns in Italy -- however, it was the unrest stemming from this delay, along with the so-called Peasant Wars which forced Philip to conclude a peace with France in 1525. It is at least favorable to him -- the Sforza are restored in Milan, although he betrays his ally, the King of Spain by forcing him to restore Upper Navarre to the Kingdom of Navarre (It was never lost ITTL; Navarre remained a Castilian protectorate, although now it is rather a French one, and the capital has been moved to Pau nevertheless). Philip thus has some reputation as being a neutral arbiter, although many regard him as a bumbling fool in regards to diplomacy, alienating many possible allies (England and Spain, mostly).
I'm wanting the TL to have a unified (at least, as unified as it can be at the time) Germany. Philip is going to have to be savvy in regards to Luther. He really has no enemies amongst the princes -- even the most Pro-French (and typically Lutheran/Reformed) have no problem with the Emperor himself, just his politics. He sympathizes with Luther and is distrustful of Rome, especially following the Italian Wars ending -- The Medici Pope Clement XII essentially brokered a separate peace with the French. Thus Philip has a bone or two to pick with Rome... but he isn't willing to make a complete break.
So, what can Philip do to help unite the Princes to support his ideas for a more unified Empire (essentially based around the 1495 Imperial Reforms). Some Princes supported Philip during the Italian War with money, and or troops... they feel that he owes them, and he perfectly willing to compromise in such a situation. I assume he can broker some support by doing something about church properties, especially in favor of the low nobility and knights who supported the Reforms IOTL... but is it possible for him to come to any agreement that binds the Empire closer together, is acceptable to both Catholics and Reformists, and at least keeps the Habsburgs themselves as Catholics?
I'm wanting the TL to have a unified (at least, as unified as it can be at the time) Germany. Philip is going to have to be savvy in regards to Luther. He really has no enemies amongst the princes -- even the most Pro-French (and typically Lutheran/Reformed) have no problem with the Emperor himself, just his politics. He sympathizes with Luther and is distrustful of Rome, especially following the Italian Wars ending -- The Medici Pope Clement XII essentially brokered a separate peace with the French. Thus Philip has a bone or two to pick with Rome... but he isn't willing to make a complete break.
So, what can Philip do to help unite the Princes to support his ideas for a more unified Empire (essentially based around the 1495 Imperial Reforms). Some Princes supported Philip during the Italian War with money, and or troops... they feel that he owes them, and he perfectly willing to compromise in such a situation. I assume he can broker some support by doing something about church properties, especially in favor of the low nobility and knights who supported the Reforms IOTL... but is it possible for him to come to any agreement that binds the Empire closer together, is acceptable to both Catholics and Reformists, and at least keeps the Habsburgs themselves as Catholics?