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Firstly, I think that the fact that the Imperial crown passed from Matthias to his cousin, Archduke Ferdinand was pretty much a fluke of history, rather than what the Doctor would call ‘a fixed point’. At Maxi’s death, it must’ve looked pretty unlikely that the Inner Austrian branch would ever inherit the imperial-royal titles, what with his ten surviving kids (four girls, six boys) in the way.

Equally astonishing is how many male-line grandchildren he had that were born on the wrong side of the blanket, and only his son, the Cardinal-Archduke Albrecht managed to leave three born in holy wedlock.

Quick breakdown:

Rudolf II

Anna Dorothea von Österreich (b.1580)

Julius, Margrave of Austria (b.1586)

Charlotte (b.1591)​

Johann Matthias (b.1594)

Karl (b.1603)

Dorothea (b.1611)

Anna (date unknown)

Karolina (date unknown)​

Ernst

No issue​

Matthias I

Matthias von Österreich (date unknown)​

Maximilian

Karl (date unknown)​

Albrecht VII

Philipp (b.1605)

Albrecht (b.1607)

Anna Mauritia (b.1608, d.1609)

Wenzel

No Issue​

So what would be the results of any of these archdukes (Ernst, Matthias, Maximilian, Wenzel) marrying (maybe a more fertile wife in Matthias’ case) and starting families of their own? For instance, if they marry in the 1570s/80s, then the chance is good that by the time (if) they overthrow Rudolf II, their kids are adults, married and possibly with children of their own.

Now, the usual lady cited as a possible match is the Rudolfine reject: Isabel Clara Eugenia of Spain. But others considered by Rudolf or his father/brothers included Giulia d’Este, Marie de Medici, Margherita of Savoy, Maximiliana Maria of Bavaria/Maria Anna of Bavaria (the younger), Sibylle of Cleves, Anna Vasa (sister of Sigismund III), a princess of Württemberg (IDK which one, merely that she is mentioned as being considered in one of Rudolf’s letters). So there’s no shortage of material to play with.

I could see Maximilian marrying Anna Vasa as a way to shore up his rule if he were elected king of Poland (it would have to be before she converts though), and Marie was mentioned as a good wife for Matthias in another thread. Isabel would make sense marrying Ernst (she was originally offered for him after Rudolf dropped her like a hot potato, but then came the French succession crisis, and that was put on hold for a bit).

PS: Calling @Kynan to work some family tree magic with this.
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