POD: Anne of Brittany gives birth to a healthy son in 1500. Let’s call him Charles to make things easier. What would Louise of Savoy do to advance her children? Would the Angoulemes set up a rival political faction? Would Louis XII marry Mary Tudor and try to get more sons, or would he marry Mary to Charles? I think it would make more sense for Mary to marry the dauphine, but stranger things have happened. If she married the dauphine, how would Mary Tudor having a longer reign as the Queen of France affect things? Who would Claude of France marry?
WI Anne of Brittany had a healthy son?
- Thread starter Zazou
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Well, Charles is automatically heir to France and Brittany - as long as he lives to adulthood, the dream of an independent Brittany is pretty much dead. Louis XII might marry Mary Tudor...I think it depends on what happens in between Charles's birth and 1514. IOTL Mary Tudor wasn't considered for marriage to Louis until 1513/1514, so she could very easily marry elsewhere. At any rate, if things go as IOTL and Mary Tudor winds up going to France in 1514, I think it's more likely that she goes as the bride of the dauphin. But Louis could also decide that he wants to try for a spare before he croaks, assuming that he and Anne of Brittany haven't produced a second son. If Louis dies on schedule and still has only one son, I can see the marriage of Claude and Francis of Angoulême going through, if only to ensure that Brittany remains attached to the French crown no matter what. Just to note, I think that Dauphin Charles would likely be betrothed in 1501 to a daughter (Eleanor or Isabelle) of Philip the Handsome and Juana of Castile, to go along with Claude's engagement to the future Charles V.
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Not exactly, as the marriage contract specifies that Brittany shall go to the second son or daughter. So Claude's heiress of as long as there's not second son. Her betrothal to Francis of Angoulême is certain, just in case her brother dies childless of course.
Louise of Savoy can't do much, except push for Claude's marrying Francis (which is already granted) and hope and pray for the little Dauphin to kick the bucket
I agree that Mary Tuydor could be offered to the Dauphin.
And with a healthy son, Anne may not die as early as IOTL. I mean less stress and probably less pregnancies too, since a healthy son means less need for another. They'll surely try a few more times, but surely not as many as IOTL. Louis may even die before Anne, what with his bowel haemorrhages and gout...
Ehm, pretty unlikely who Francis will be allowed to marry Claude here. Also Claude would be most likely unable to inherit Brittany if her mother die before her father or would be married to Charles V if her mother live longer than her father. Mary Tudor as future Dauphine would work quite wellNot exactly, as the marriage contract specifies that Brittany shall go to the second son or daughter. So Claude's heiress of as long as there's not second son. Her betrothal to Francis of Angoulême is certain, just in case her brother dies childless of course.
Louise of Savoy can't do much, except push for Claude's marrying Francis (which is already granted) and hope and pray for the little Dauphin to kick the bucket
I agree that Mary Tuydor could be offered to the Dauphin.
And with a healthy son, Anne may not die as early as IOTL. I mean less stress and probably less pregnancies too, since a healthy son means less need for another. They'll surely try a few more times, but surely not as many as IOTL. Louis may even die before Anne, what with his bowel haemorrhages and gout...
True, if Anne survives Louis Claude's likely to marry Charles V.
But if Louis survives Anne, I can see him marrying Claude to Francis, just in case his only son and heir dies childless, so Brittany will remain attached to the French Crown.
But once Louis's dead, wouldn't Francis try to claim Claude's inheritance as Duchess of Brittany?
No. Louis wanted put an end to the Angouleme’s line (he had engaged Francis to the dwarf Anne of Navarre while he still hoped in a son by Anne). No way who Louis will allow an engagement between Francis and Claude if he has a son
Isn't that the same which Louis XI did to him when future Louis XII was still duke of Orleans? Why did Louis XII want to get rid of his heir?
Yes, he was much alike to his former and hated father-in-law. Louis XII reputed Angouleme to be a danger for his rule. If he had a son of his own no way he would consent to Angouleme to become a rival to him. In OTL he was already going in that direction while he was still sonless and Angouleme was his heir presumptive so I can not see him changing once he has a son in the cradle
But why? I know that Louis XII was an able politician, so he might be a threat for Louis XI, but Angouleme seemed like airhead full of unrealistic ambitions, whose only advantage was scheming mother and not-so-big estates in France. In no way he's rival to heir of France and Britanny.
Because he would be older than his son? I have no idea, but Louis XII was clearly scheming in that direction.
OK, but wouldn't Louis try to assasinate Angouleme in case of Louis having a son?
Most likely. Still she will be unable to marry him, as Spain would be keep her unmarried
Yes, but he would still need royal permission to wed so....
Unlikely, Louis would never let him marry her or Madeleine...