WI: Charles II dies before the Restoration

The British Isles might not be the great power it would become yet but they could still tip the balance of a war fairly well. Just two years before the Restoration England made large gains against Spain, acquiring Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Dunkirk and Mardyck (in Northern France)and in 1654 trounced the Netherlands in naval battles. The war between England and Spain didn't officially end until 1660 so I can see a Habsburg bride being offered to sea the peace. Actually I'm surprised that one wasn't in OTL.

That's because the only Habsburg princess avalaible both in Austria and Spain at the time (1660) was Margaret Theresa of Spain, and she was only 9 years old.
 
That's because the only Habsburg princess avalaible both in Austria and Spain at the time (1660) was Margaret Theresa of Spain, and she was only 9 years old.

Well that makes a lot of sense . I guess James would have to turn somewhere else for a bride. La grande mademoiselle would be a cool choice and would definitely bring England money. Or the Houses of Wittelsbach or Welf, I'm not sure if they had any available princesses. A weird match would be Christina of Sweden, completely impossible but different.
 
James wasn't Catholic in 1660, He only converted in either 1668 or 69 so he would still be protestant, hell he might not even convert. I wonder who he would marry? I doubt his otl wife Anne Hyde, maybe he could mary Le Grand Mademoiselle? Or perhaps an Austrian Archduchess? Remember, at the time of the Restoration there was no law against a King marrying a Catholic.

I wasn't talking about the Catholic issue, although it remains unknown when exactly he decided to convert. No, I had in mind his belief in the divine right of kings and the fact that at times he could be a petulant child who liked to crush his enemies. Parliament wasn't full of idiots and they would have demanded safeguards that he would probebly never have granted.
 
Erm... no thought on my suggestion? :eek:

Also, Cymraeg, shouldn't you get back to work on your Cicero TL? ;) :p

Well I read the thread and the consensus seems to be that it would be a deeply unpopular move for Monck to make. I think the best bet would be to have both Charles and James die at the same time, maybe of smallpox or something like that, and leave the throne to Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester. He was staunchly protestant,had military experience and a reputation as one of Europe's foremost protestant soldiers and had already been considered as a possible King after his father's execution.
 
Well that makes a lot of sense . I guess James would have to turn somewhere else for a bride. La grande mademoiselle would be a cool choice and would definitely bring England money. Or the Houses of Wittelsbach or Welf, I'm not sure if they had any available princesses. A weird match would be Christina of Sweden, completely impossible but different.

I think we can't rule out Catherine of Braganza. Portugal's need of an alliance with England is still there, and the huge dowry that she brought to Charles (Tangier, Bombay, the fortune of 2 million golden crusados, and the rights to use the ports of the Portuguese Empire) would surely call the attention of James as much it did with Charles. And, given her reproductive problems, it would also probably have the effect of making James having no legitimate issue.
 
I think we can't rule out Catherine of Braganza. Portugal's need of an alliance with England is still there, and the huge dowry that she brought to Charles (Tangier, Bombay, the fortune of 2 million golden crusados, and the rights to use the ports of the Portuguese Empire) would surely call the attention of James as much it did with Charles. And, given her reproductive problems, it would also probably have the effect of making James having no legitimate issue.

If that happens and Henry is still dead then William of Orange would become King, I think. Or James could divorce her, I'm not sure which is more likely.
 
Erm... no thought on my suggestion? :eek:

Also, Cymraeg, shouldn't you get back to work on your Cicero TL? ;) :p

Oops, I need to keep going on that one. In mitigation I have been horribly busy, spending 4 hours today at the Taste of Christmas Expo in London. Welsh toffee vodka anyone?
 

HJ Tulp

Donor
Well I read the thread and the consensus seems to be that it would be a deeply unpopular move for Monck to make. I think the best bet would be to have both Charles and James die at the same time, maybe of smallpox or something like that, and leave the throne to Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester. He was staunchly protestant,had military experience and a reputation as one of Europe's foremost protestant soldiers and had already been considered as a possible King after his father's execution.

How was the relationship between Henry Stuart and James? Any chance that Henry takes over the role of Pretender after the death of Charles?
 
How was the relationship between Henry Stuart and James? Any chance that Henry takes over the role of Pretender after the death of Charles?

Well I doubt he would. His fathers last words were to Henry was to keep the Protestant religion and to respect his brothers rights ie succession rights.
 
So James is restored in 1660 instead of Charles. Question is though, how long he keeps the throne. Would that bonehead even have the nous to keep the Treaty of Dover secret?
 
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