WI Charles Emmanuel II of Savoy dies heirless in 1675

The other Savoyard thread reminded me that - if he doesn't have an heir from his 2nd wife - Charles II of Savoy would have died heirless, too.

This could easily have happened if he hadn't resisted le Grande Mademoiselle's advances once his first wife died - she was willing to accept marrying him despite her being in her upper 30s, but he refused.

If he marries her figuring she can have an heir (r he has a child who survives just long enough for him to marry her thinking he doesn't have to worry) it sets up an interesting situation.

Louis XIV could try to take Savoy for France - it would then include Piedmont, too, I believe - through Christene of France. Chalres Emmanuel also had a sister who was the wife of Ferdinand Maria of Bavaria, too, so one of those issue could also have taken; perhaps his son who became Bishop of Cologne takes the crown instead? Or, do Louis XIV and his Barvarian allies afree that Louis will take Savoy and the Wittlesbachs Piedmont? It'd be interesting to see who then can unite Italy in another couple centuries; thinking of them as German it would be funny to see Wittelsabch Italy.
 
The other Savoyard thread reminded me that - if he doesn't have an heir from his 2nd wife - Charles II of Savoy would have died heirless, too.

This could easily have happened if he hadn't resisted le Grande Mademoiselle's advances once his first wife died - she was willing to accept marrying him despite her being in her upper 30s, but he refused.

If he marries her figuring she can have an heir (r he has a child who survives just long enough for him to marry her thinking he doesn't have to worry) it sets up an interesting situation.

Louis XIV could try to take Savoy for France - it would then include Piedmont, too, I believe - through Christene of France. Chalres Emmanuel also had a sister who was the wife of Ferdinand Maria of Bavaria, too, so one of those issue could also have taken; perhaps his son who became Bishop of Cologne takes the crown instead? Or, do Louis XIV and his Barvarian allies afree that Louis will take Savoy and the Wittlesbachs Piedmont? It'd be interesting to see who then can unite Italy in another couple centuries; thinking of them as German it would be funny to see Wittelsabch Italy.
If Charles Emmanuel II dies childless then Salic Law dictates that the line of Savoy-Carignano inherits the Duchy and Emmanuel Philibert, Prince of Carignano, become the ruler of Savoy.
 
Thanks - Salic Law can confuse me. I wonder if his deafness would be a problem? Also, he is unmarried in 1675, he might be quite sought after all of a sudden even before he succeeds to the throne if he's sure to be the heir.
 

Vitruvius

Donor
I wonder if his deafness would be a problem? Also, he is unmarried in 1675, he might be quite sought after all of a sudden even before he succeeds to the throne if he's sure to be the heir.

IIRC the reason his younger brother, Eugene Maurice, was made Count of Soissons was because the family had intended to pass over him due to his deafness but he went and married and had children anyways. So in 1675 Emmanuel Philibert is still single his younger brother is dead but has five sons living, including the OTL famous general. I suppose given the choice of the deaf but otherwise competent Emmanuel Philibert and the 17 year old Louis Thomas of Soissons the former probably becomes Duke with the latter as his heir. So marriage considerations probably focus on Louis Thomas until/unless his uncle upsets things by marrying.
 
I think who if Charles Emmanuel had not children Louis XIV will immediately found a French princess for Emmanuel Philibert and forced him to marry her (with the help of Charles) just for stay sure... And naturally in the time he will first ended then marry the young Soisson with another French (always for stay sure of keep Savoy close to him)
 
I think who if Charles Emmanuel had not children Louis XIV will immediately found a French princess for Emmanuel Philibert and forced him to marry her (with the help of Charles) just for stay sure... And naturally in the time he will first ended then marry the young Soisson with another French (always for stay sure of keep Savoy close to him)

Emmanuel Philbert's Mother was Marie de Bourbon, a French Princess of the Blood. That's as french as you can get. Louis would most likely set him up with someone who could further French Interests in Italy rather than a potential cousin. Emmanuel Philbert's Marriage would be a bargaining chip for french power plays in Italy
 

Vitruvius

Donor
Well one of the most interesting pair of marriages would be Emmanuel Philibert to Marie Louise d'Orleans (OTL wife of Charles II of Spain). She's the right age and OTL her younger sister married Victor Amadeus II. Then Louis Thomas of Savoy Soissons could marry that same younger sister, Anne Marie d'Orleans. That means a different bride for Charles II, not that its likely to help him too much but his ATL wife could influence the settling of his will and the Spanish Succession.

Speaking of Spain another even more interesting possibility is the similarly aged Maria Antonia of Austria. The latter married the Elector of Bavaria OTL and her son was seen as a possible heir to the Spanish throne. Given the Savoys already have some Spanish blood through Catherine Michelle this would make them even more well positioned as a candidate for the Spanish throne, except that it would complete the encirclement of France.

If Emmanuel Philibert marries Marie Louise d'Orleans (or another French princess) it probably makes it easier for Louis Thomas to marry an Italian or another non-French princess, and there are a few possibilities. Isabela Luisa of Portugal is maybe possible but Louis Thomas would have to move to Portugal, maybe not a problem if his uncle is still ruling in Savoy, and less so if Emmanuel Philibert has a son right away with his wife. Otherwise there's Anna Maria de' Medici who is at least French on her mothers side (granddaughter of Gaston d'Orleans). So, eventual union of Savoy and Tuscany maybe? There's also Margherita Farnese, Marie Therese de Bourbon-Conde and Maria Sophia of Palatine-Neuburg, who come with varying political connections but sadly no inheritances.
 
When I said French princess I was using the term with a more general meaning, not only the daughter of the Royal house of France but also one of the princesses close to the France, because any match able to keep high the influence of the King of France on the court of Savoy can be called a French match. Sure the king of France will not gave both Marie Louise and Anne Marie to the Savoy and likely neither will be shipped there. Likely the OTL second wife of Charles Emmanuel II and her sister will be married one to the King of Portugal, the other to the heir presumptive of Savoy shorter after the wedding of the Duke and the Great Mademoiselle.
 
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