In January 1433, Agnes of Baden, wife of the Count of Holstein-Schauenburg, tŕipped and fell on the stairs which caused her to go into labour early. She gave birth to very healthy twins, Heinrich and Katharina.
However, scandal ensued since, although she and Count Gerhard had been marriedin June 1432, the match had only been consummated in October, and the birth of these twins was deemed far too early for them to be legitimate (they were born at 7mos). However, Gerhard, before the whole court swore that he had slept with his wife BEFORE their wedding and found her a virgin. The bishop of Lubeck as well as various court doctors and midwives swore to this statement and all seemed well.
Until Gerhard died a few months later of an infected lung. Then, his brother, Count Adolf, went on a smear campaign, claimed his little niece and nephew were illegitimate and usurped the throne of Holstein. Agnes fled back to Baden and married a nobody cavalier (against her brother's wishes, since he hoped to salvage the Holstein alliance by marrying her to Adolf, or to wed her to the duke of Oels), and spent the rest of her life imprisoned for it. Katharina died young at the convent she was sent to, while Heinrich died at under a year of age in an incident involving the court jester.
The county of Holstein passed to the descendants of King Christian I of Denmark as a result.
So, what if Agnes HADN'T tripped (ergo doesn't go into early labour) or better still, Gerhard accepts them as his legitimate (since him swearing up and down that he had "spanked" his wife before their wedding probably just muddied the waters, since then the twins would've been conceived in June 1432, which meant they'd still be premature. (If people can kinda doubt kids being born 7 mos premature, then surely arguing for a prem birth at 8mos is just as unbelievable?)
Either way, Adolf was the most powerful noble in Denmark under Erik of Pomerania and Christoph III. Which means that a surviving line could've been movers and shakers (at least for a while) in Danish-Imperial affairs.
Thoughts?
However, scandal ensued since, although she and Count Gerhard had been marriedin June 1432, the match had only been consummated in October, and the birth of these twins was deemed far too early for them to be legitimate (they were born at 7mos). However, Gerhard, before the whole court swore that he had slept with his wife BEFORE their wedding and found her a virgin. The bishop of Lubeck as well as various court doctors and midwives swore to this statement and all seemed well.
Until Gerhard died a few months later of an infected lung. Then, his brother, Count Adolf, went on a smear campaign, claimed his little niece and nephew were illegitimate and usurped the throne of Holstein. Agnes fled back to Baden and married a nobody cavalier (against her brother's wishes, since he hoped to salvage the Holstein alliance by marrying her to Adolf, or to wed her to the duke of Oels), and spent the rest of her life imprisoned for it. Katharina died young at the convent she was sent to, while Heinrich died at under a year of age in an incident involving the court jester.
The county of Holstein passed to the descendants of King Christian I of Denmark as a result.
So, what if Agnes HADN'T tripped (ergo doesn't go into early labour) or better still, Gerhard accepts them as his legitimate (since him swearing up and down that he had "spanked" his wife before their wedding probably just muddied the waters, since then the twins would've been conceived in June 1432, which meant they'd still be premature. (If people can kinda doubt kids being born 7 mos premature, then surely arguing for a prem birth at 8mos is just as unbelievable?)
Either way, Adolf was the most powerful noble in Denmark under Erik of Pomerania and Christoph III. Which means that a surviving line could've been movers and shakers (at least for a while) in Danish-Imperial affairs.
Thoughts?
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