What if Philip II accepted Catherine de Medici's offer and married his sister-in-law, Margot of Valois? If they had a son, the Hapsburg inbreeding would be put to an end. How would this affect French politics? What if?
Not gonna happen. For one, Philip loved Elisabeth and thought that the idea of marrying her sister was disgusting. Second, in Philip's eyes Catherine was the mother-in-law from hell, and had no desire to be tied to her again. Your better off having Elisabeth live and have a son.
OK. What if Isabella Clara Eugenia was a boy?
Though, I fail to realise how marrying your sister-in-law is worse than marrying yourself niece? I think his logic was an alliance with Austria was better than one with France.
I think that was actually mainly because of Catherine's religious policy. Philip had no desire to be tied to a dynasty that supported heretics (in his eyes anyway). But with Isabella being a boy, the succession would be secure in the 1560s. So that could have huge consequences.
You mean a male Isabella could butterfly away Don Carlos' death? I think, if anything, it increases the plausibility of it. Isabella's birth made Carlos feel neglected and hate his father, a son would make it worse.
No I mean Don Philip (IDK what to call make Isabella) would be the new heir, after Carlos' death of course. There would be no mini-succession crisis at the Spanish Court during the '60s and '70s.
Aaah. As for a wife for Don Philip, any ideas? Anna of Austria maybe?
Anna was to old. Her sister Margaret (the nun) would be the best choice agewise.
Any other possible matches?
Also, how would Philip III handle France. Would the Catholic league proclaim him King Philip VII of France?