WI: Bona Sforza, Duchess of Milan

Not as reigning duchess naturally. But say the plan to marry her to her cousin, Massimiliano/Francesco II Sforza, succeeds. There'll most likely be kids, so the Sforzas should be safe for another generation. But how would this affect things in northern Italy? France will still want Milan, the Empire will still want to keep France out. Either way, the duchy stays out of imperial hands for (at least) another generation.

Thoughts
@Jan Olbracht
 
That means Maximilian needs to find another candidate whom he could propose to Sigismund. Out of 3 he proposed IOTL (Bona, Eleanor of Austria, and Joanna the Mad) none is available. I wonder if Susanna of Bavaria is possible.
 
I was thinking that perhaps Barbara Zapolya lives
Barbara unlike Bona is not involved in politics, thus she is beloved Queen, unlike Bona, who was despised by Polish nobles (and by her own son). No Vivente Rege (which was pointless with Sigismund Augustus being already Grand Duke of Lithuania at the time of election).
 
Barbara unlike Bona is not involved in politics, thus she is beloved Queen, unlike Bona, who was despised by Polish nobles (and by her own son). No Vivente Rege (which was pointless with Sigismund Augustus being already Grand Duke of Lithuania at the time of election).

Okay, class.

What might Bona's ambitions be in Milan? I haven't read much about her cousins, besides that Francesco II was apparently slightly crazy by the end of his life. However, Massimiliano and Francesco seemed to play a game of crack the whip with the ducal title: Massimiliano was duke (1512-15)+(1529-30), while Francesco was ruler (1521-24)+(1525-26)+(1529-35). This seems to point to a sort of factionalism at the Milanese court, but I'm not sure why this was
 
Bona certainly would feel much better in her native Milan, she was capable, her problem IOTL was the fact, that she was thrown into 'exotic' country she didn't understand. In Milan she is familiar with political landscape, she would be more effective than in Poland.
 
Bona certainly would feel much better in her native Milan, she was capable, her problem IOTL was the fact, that she was thrown into 'exotic' country she didn't understand. In Milan she is familiar with political landscape, she would be more effective than in Poland.

So I'm thinking that we won't see as hokey-pokeying with the ducal title then? France will still invade at any/every opportunity they get, but I imagine that Massimiliano (I don't see her being married to Francesco II unless Massi was dead) will be restored as duke in 1521 rather than his brother (especially if Massi has children with Bona).
 
Seems likely.

I wonder what would happen to Janos Zapolya ITTL. On one hand Bona was supporter of Zapolya's case, much more than Sigismund, who didn't want to mess with Habsburgs, OTOH if Barbara lives longer (how much longer?) Janos and Zygmunt had stronger family ties.
If Bona has no daughters of right age I see possibility of Hedwig Jagiellon marrying François I. IOTL Sigismund wanted French king to marry Hedwig, but he preffered her younger half-sister with Milanese blood. But if there are no Sforza princesses or they are too young (born after 1520) Francis may be interested in such marriage.
 
Seems likely.

I wonder what would happen to Janos Zapolya ITTL. On one hand Bona was supporter of Zapolya's case, much more than Sigismund, who didn't want to mess with Habsburgs, OTOH if Barbara lives longer (how much longer?) Janos and Zygmunt had stronger family ties.
If Bona has no daughters of right age I see possibility of Hedwig Jagiellon marrying François I. IOTL Sigismund wanted French king to marry Hedwig, but he preffered her younger half-sister with Milanese blood. But if there are no Sforza princesses or they are too young (born after 1520) Francis may be interested in such marriage.

I always kinda wondered why (with the exception of the fact that she didn't like the Habsburgs), Bona never proposed one of her daughters for duchess of Milan to counter Karl V's offer of Kristina of Denmark
 
I always kinda wondered why (with the exception of the fact that she didn't like the Habsburgs), Bona never proposed one of her daughters for duchess of Milan to counter Karl V's offer of Kristina of Denmark

I had an interesting thought, what about Bona's son, naming him Francesco seems about as likely as anything (b.1516/1517), I'm guessing she'd marry her cousin in his 1512-1515 reign, marrying Kristina of Denmark? The other option - for giggles - would be marrying him to Caterina de Medici (which might not be as insane as it sounds, since Leo X wanted Bona to marry Giuliano de Medici (duc de Nemours) or Lorenzo (duke of Urbino) - Alfonsina Orsini stuck a pin in that idea IIRC).
 
So we have anti-French Bona backed by Habsburgs, who despises House of Valois ITTL. Thus one of her daughters could end married to Don Felipe or one of Ferdinand I's sons.
Meanwhile François could have Polish second wife, perhaps some kids by her.
 
So we have anti-French Bona backed by Habsburgs, who despises House of Valois ITTL. Thus one of her daughters could end married to Don Felipe or one of Ferdinand I's sons.
Meanwhile François could have Polish second wife, perhaps some kids by her.

That could definitely be interesting to see. Would a daughter of the duke of Milan be considered a fitting wife for D. Felipe II though? The Spanish Habsburgs didn't really do the whole Italian wife thing (although Eleonora Gonzaga was offered for Felipe III, Anna Maria Luisa de Medici for Carlos II), so that's my main reason for asking
 
How does this look?

Bona Sforza, Duchess of Bari, Princess of Rossano (b.1493) m: 1513 Massimiliano, Duke of Milan (b.1493)

Francesco II, Duke of Milan (b. 1516) m: 1535 Kristina of Denmark (b.1521)/Caterina Romola de Medici, duchess of Urbino (b.1519)

Giovanni (1518-1519)

Isabella (b.1523)

Beatrice (b.1524)

Violante (b.1525)

Anna (b.1529) m: perhaps to the duke of Savoy?

Carlo (b.1530) Cardinal, Archbishop of Milan, Archbishop of Parma etc etc
 
So I'm thinking that we won't see as hokey-pokeying with the ducal title then? France will still invade at any/every opportunity they get, but I imagine that Massimiliano (I don't see her being married to Francesco II unless Massi was dead) will be restored as duke in 1521 rather than his brother (especially if Massi has children with Bona).

I had an interesting thought, what about Bona's son, naming him Francesco seems about as likely as anything (b.1516/1517), I'm guessing she'd marry her cousin in his 1512-1515 reign, marrying Kristina of Denmark? The other option - for giggles - would be marrying him to Caterina de Medici (which might not be as insane as it sounds, since Leo X wanted Bona to marry Giuliano de Medici (duc de Nemours) or Lorenzo (duke of Urbino) - Alfonsina Orsini stuck a pin in that idea IIRC).
Well Kristina would be a most logical choice for Bona’s son. About her husband Massimiliano was the elder brother but was captured by the French after losing Milan and forced to sign a renounce to Milan in exchange of a pension (and lived under French custody until his death) so unless the wedding happen before 1515 and Massimiliano’s captured is butterflied, a wedding to Francesco around 1516/17 is the most likely option.

Not as reigning duchess naturally. But say the plan to marry her to her cousin, Massimiliano/Francesco II Sforza, succeeds. There'll most likely be kids, so the Sforzas should be safe for another generation. But how would this affect things in northern Italy? France will still want Milan, the Empire will still want to keep France out. Either way, the duchy stays out of imperial hands for (at least) another generation.

Thoughts
@Jan Olbracht
If Sigismund decide to remarry a little earlier than OTL Eleanor will still be available (Barbara died in October 1515, Maria of Aragon only in March 1517) so if the wedding is arranged in 1516 Charles would be unable to stop it (and he was not so interested in Spain and matches with Portugal before arriving there in 1517. OTL the biggest reason for which he married his sister to Manuel was keeping Portugal friendly while refusing to marry Isabella of Portugal. If he has not Eleanor available would be most likely forced to renounce to his French engagements and marry early Isabella, something who will do a lot of good to him and his rule in Spain)
 
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krieger

Banned
Could result in interesting long-term consequences for the Italian peninsula.

Not only - Sigismund I having to find a different second wife might have consequences for whole Europe - lack of union of Lublin known from OTL, possible continuation of male-line Jagiellons, completely different fate of Poland, Russia, Sweden, Germany.
 
I would say who the consequences of Bona marrying Francesco II in 1516 (who look to me the easier option as we do not need to butterfly too much and Bona was to mat) AND Eleanor of Austria marrying Sigismund I of Poland in 1516 or 1517 would be really interesting. Eleanor likely would give him many children (she and Manuel had two and were married for less than four years) and keep good relations with her brother in Austria.
Plus Charles V would be more or less forced to marry Isabella of Portugal in 1518/9 (and that would do a lot of good for him on the level of relationship with Portugal, with the Spanish Cortes, and for the continuity of his dynasty and for his own good as Isabella in the end was the perfect wife for him and the great love of his life).
Maybe a Charles V who was forced earlier to marry following the wishes of the Spanish Cortes (and before becoming Emperor) would be more amenable to a compromise with the German diet and rulers...
Ferdinand, married to a Jagiellon princess and brother-in-law of both Jagiellon Kings would likely have a much easier life both on his borders and in securing Hungary and Bohemia for himself after Louis II’s death (as Zapolya would not be supported by Poland).
With Eleanor as Queen in Poland you will not see any Vivente Rege or similar and no loss of power and prestige for the Polish monarchy. If we have something like OTL Sigismund II and Barbara Radzwill is unlikely who their wedding would be so adversed.

Things for Bona as Duchess in both Bari and Milan (and most likely effective ruler in the latter in name of her husband Francesco II and/or her son who will be most likely called Maximilian, Ercole or Francesco) things would go mostly better than OTL. The continuity of the line would be preserved, Bari would be a sure harbor when Milan was in French hands and the Sforzas dynasty would not be extinct. Kristina of Denmark as bride for the eldest son of Francesco and Bona (and not for the old Duke) would reinforce the Imperial alliance, and be a great coup for the Sforzas. With the dynasty safe (as Bona most likely would have at least two surviving sons and maybe some daughters and the same for Kristina) and Milan and Bari well ruled (as Bona and Kristina would be both perfectly able to cover any deficiency in their husbands ability to govern) is likely who Italy will benefit from it (as Spain would be unable to exercise the OTL level of influence with only Sardinia).
Kristina and Francesco eldest son would most likely marry another Habsburg princess (as Ferdinand will still marry his daughters and Polish nieces between Italy and Germany)
 
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