When Charles V passed his immense but unwieldy heritage to his successors in 1554-1558, he divided it between his brother Ferdinand and his son Philip.
Ferdinand inherited Austria and its associated dominions. He also became the next Holy Roman Emperor (which had actually been decided many years before), and held the Hapsburg claim to Hungary (which was actually his and never Charles').
Philip got Spain, with its colonial empire, the Italian possessions (Milan, Naples, Sicily, and Sardinia), and the former Burgundian lands (Franche-Comté, Luxemburg, and the Netherlands).
There was no other male Hapsburg to inherit anything. But what if there had been? This could be either a younger brother to Charles and Ferdinand, or the son of a late brother, or a younger brother to Philip.
Is it possible this man (Maximilian) might be made heir to the Netherlands, which was very distinct from the other Hapsburg dominions? His line would become a third branch of the House of Hapsburg.
There is a further possibility. If Max had lived in the Netherlands for many years, he might join his subject in becoming Protestant. This means the Hapsburgs, like the Hohenzollerns and Wittelsbachs, would have Protestant and Catholic branches.
This would also elide the Eighty Years War, and possibly the division of the Netherlands into Protestant and Catholic areas.
It might even be possible for the Dutch Hapsburgs to become the Protestant champions in the German wars of religion.
The Netherlands, rather than seeking separation from the HRE, could be the major Protestant leader in it. Max's descendants might even contend for the Imperial title as Protestants. Suppose they succeed? Could they take the HRE out from under the Pope's aegis?
Ferdinand inherited Austria and its associated dominions. He also became the next Holy Roman Emperor (which had actually been decided many years before), and held the Hapsburg claim to Hungary (which was actually his and never Charles').
Philip got Spain, with its colonial empire, the Italian possessions (Milan, Naples, Sicily, and Sardinia), and the former Burgundian lands (Franche-Comté, Luxemburg, and the Netherlands).
There was no other male Hapsburg to inherit anything. But what if there had been? This could be either a younger brother to Charles and Ferdinand, or the son of a late brother, or a younger brother to Philip.
Is it possible this man (Maximilian) might be made heir to the Netherlands, which was very distinct from the other Hapsburg dominions? His line would become a third branch of the House of Hapsburg.
There is a further possibility. If Max had lived in the Netherlands for many years, he might join his subject in becoming Protestant. This means the Hapsburgs, like the Hohenzollerns and Wittelsbachs, would have Protestant and Catholic branches.
This would also elide the Eighty Years War, and possibly the division of the Netherlands into Protestant and Catholic areas.
It might even be possible for the Dutch Hapsburgs to become the Protestant champions in the German wars of religion.
The Netherlands, rather than seeking separation from the HRE, could be the major Protestant leader in it. Max's descendants might even contend for the Imperial title as Protestants. Suppose they succeed? Could they take the HRE out from under the Pope's aegis?