WI: Louis II of Hungary survived Mohács?

So in 1526 Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent invaded Hungary. At the Battle of Mohács the Hungarian army was completely annihilated (20,000 out of 26,000 were killed) and the King, Louis II, and most of his government were killed. This battle marked the end of an independent Hungary. Parts of Hungary, and Bohemia, were inherited by Louis' brother-in-law, Archduke Ferdinand, and ,with Austria itself, formed the nucleus of the the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy. The rest of Hungary was ruled by a Vassal King of the Ottomans. My question is simple, what if Louis II survived Mohács? Louis died during the retreat, when he fell of his frightened horse and drowned in a marsh, so his death is certainly avoidable. So what would be the consequences of his survival? Besides Hungary and Bohemia staying out of the Hands of the Habsburgs (for the time being at least) and the Hungarian nobles (probebly) not electing two kings. Would he (or his son) inherit Poland and Lithuania when the House of Jagellion gos extinct there? Would not having a war in Hungary to content with mean that Ferdinand can focus his energies solely on the HRE? Who would succeed Margaret of Austria as Governor/Regent of the Netherlands if Mary's husband is still alive?
 
Firstly one has to answer the question of what happens in the campaign itself, for example how far would the Ottomans go and to which direction?

I presume they would chase Louis wherever he goes, unless he goes far enough (beyond his realm's borders) but I don't think that's likely.

Maybe he goes to Prague, raises a new army and gets reinforcements from HRE (mainly his brother-in-law) and another battle takes place (possibly near Pressburg?). If Louis wins, it's a steep uphill battle to take over as much territory of his lands as he can (but I can't see that suceeding too much), and if he loses, and isn't killed, then I can see Ferdinard intervening forcefully.
 
Firstly one has to answer the question of what happens in the campaign itself, for example how far would the Ottomans go and to which direction?

I presume they would chase Louis wherever he goes, unless he goes far enough (beyond his realm's borders) but I don't think that's likely.

Maybe he goes to Prague, raises a new army and gets reinforcements from HRE (mainly his brother-in-law) and another battle takes place (possibly near Pressburg?). If Louis wins, it's a steep uphill battle to take over as much territory of his lands as he can (but I can't see that suceeding too much), and if he loses, and isn't killed, then I can see Ferdinard intervening forcefully.

Would the combination of the defeat and the King surviving mean the nobles are more likely to give troops? I mean that was one of the main problems OTL. The Hungarian nobles wouldn't sent their troops to the royal army. Also, I bet that the nobles wouldn't elect a King to appose the Habsburgs.
 
Would the combination of the defeat and the King surviving mean the nobles are more likely to give troops? I mean that was one of the main problems OTL. The Hungarian nobles wouldn't sent their troops to the royal army. Also, I bet that the nobles wouldn't elect a King to appose the Habsburgs.

I agree, whether Hungary liked the Habsburg dynasty or not, they faced the same threat, the Ottoman Empire. Still Ferdinand not defending his own crowns and Charles not having to support the crowns of his brother, might make the support of the Habsburgs less enthusiastic. IOTL in 1526 a long term, even from before the lucky ''Spanish'' Inheritance, policy goal of the house of Habsburg was achieved, by which I mean, regaining Hungary and Bohemia for their house. So I guess at least mixed feelings about the demise of their brother in law (Louis II).
 
Last edited:
1. I think more parts of Silesia would end up being sold to Polish Royal demesne just like what happened to Auschwitz and Zator and less animosity between the Poles in Silesia and the other Poles perhaps causing majority of the other parts of Silesia or at least the Polish parts that did not join Poland earlier to join Poland in the ITTL age of Nationalisms, perhaps the same would happen to Warmia and Masuria, I think Standard Polish and Czech might remain similar.

2. I think the Habsburgs will be less interested in the affairs of the Eastern European countries.
 
Would the combination of the defeat and the King surviving mean the nobles are more likely to give troops? I mean that was one of the main problems OTL. The Hungarian nobles wouldn't sent their troops to the royal army. Also, I bet that the nobles wouldn't elect a King to appose the Habsburgs.
Probably the nobles see the land devastated by the Ottoman army (which is kinda necessary to gain supplies that far from Constantinople) and don't want the same thing to happen to them. Plus, since Louis survives, there is probably no Ottoman puppet-lord (and certainly he won't have the legitimacy of being backed by half the nobility) for them to support.

Maybe Louis, when going to Prague, should grant new liberties and priviledges to the nobles (or promise them). Somewhat ironically, that could possibly lead to a proto-parliamentary system analogous to the same in England of the same era.

As for the Habsburgs, they would almost certainly be begged by Louis to help, and I presume they would send troops to join the Hungarians.
 
Louis II did violate the truce he had with the Ottomans, did screwed up in two wars and even bring Ottomans upon them by killing an ambassador. Would the Hungarians even want him back?
 
Louis II did violate the truce he had with the Ottomans, did screwed up in two wars and even bring Ottomans upon them by killing an ambassador. Would the Hungarians even want him back?

Its either him or the Habsburgs. OTL no one recognized the puppet King (I forget his name) as the legitimate ruler. No doubt less of the nobles would support him if the rightful King is still alive.
 
Its either him or the Habsburgs. OTL no one recognized the puppet King (I forget his name) as the legitimate ruler. No doubt less of the nobles would support him if the rightful King is still alive.

That is not true Ivan Zapolya had support, there was even a civil war spanning several years.
 
That is not true Ivan Zapolya had support, there was even a civil war spanning several years.


Yep. Hell--Ferdinand did not have HALF the Hungarian nobles on his side. He had a rump selection of supporters who gave him the crown in a rather dubious Diet. In very real sense, he pulled off one of the most successful usurpations of all time.
 
Yep. Hell--Ferdinand did not have HALF the Hungarian nobles on his side. He had a rump selection of supporters who gave him the crown in a rather dubious Diet. In very real sense, he pulled off one of the most successful usurpations of all time.

No true. Usurpation implies that he stole the Crown from it's rightful heir. By Treaty Ferdinand WAS the heir after Louis II. And even if he wasn't, he could claim it by right of his wife, Anne, the sister of Louis II.

People forget the important part, he would still be king of Bohemia.

No one forgot about Bohemia. Several people mentioned that he could raise a new army in Bohemia. I wonder if no civil war would mean that more of Hungary could be held against the Ottomans?
 
Top