Without having become presumptive Holy Roman Emperors, could the Habsburgs gotten so many marriages?

raharris1973

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The Habsburgs were lucky as it was in their inheritances from their marriages. Yet at the same time, they were following a strategy of strategic marriage for alliance and potential inheritance purposes for generation after generation, so some fraction of their OTL success might have been not unlikely.

However, expensive as it was to maintain, I'd think the Habsburgs routine winning of Imperial elections generation after generation probably made them more attractive partners for other dynasties.

Do you agree or disagree with that?
 
There some truth to this. The very first set of fortunate marriages occurred prior to the development of Habsburgs as pre-eminent (and later almost certain) holy roman emperors. I'm referring to the marriage between Albert II (later HRE) and Elisabeth of Luxembourg. I think that re-acquiring the HRE position certainly did make them more attractive candidates to other royal dynasties outside the HRE and if say they never re-acquired the position after Albert I's assasination, they'd remain a regional player (though slightly outsized for an entity lacking an electoral title) in Germany and south east central europe, probably continuing to marry the neighbouring houses before seeking marital candidates elsewhere.
 
To an extent I agree.

But, OTOH, I'm not sure. Even pre-Albrecht II the Habsburgs did reasonably well for themselves regarding marriages - princess of Luxemburg, France, Burgundy, etc - as well as matches that were touted but never came to pass - Hartmann of Habsburg to one of Edward I of England's daughters (for instance) Hartmann's drowning was the only thing that presented AFAIK. And Hartmann was the 3e or 4e son.
 
To an extent I agree.

But, OTOH, I'm not sure. Even pre-Albrecht II the Habsburgs did reasonably well for themselves regarding marriages - princess of Luxemburg, France, Burgundy, etc - as well as matches that were touted but never came to pass - Hartmann of Habsburg to one of Edward I of England's daughters (for instance) Hartmann's drowning was the only thing that presented AFAIK. And Hartmann was the 3e or 4e son.

Yes, but they were descendants of Rudolf I and Albert I, who were German Kings (or King of the Romans), so the marriages were related to the fact that they were an Imperial Family.

It's more relevant to ask the marriages of the Habsburgs before Rudolf I ascended the throne in 1273.
 
Yes, but they were descendants of Rudolf I and Albert I, who were German Kings (or King of the Romans), so the marriages were related to the fact that they were an Imperial Family.

It's more relevant to ask the marriages of the Habsburgs before Rudolf I ascended the throne in 1273.
Wasn't the reason Rudolf was picked for the job was that he was pro-Hohenstaufen, but not prominent enough to piss off the post-Anarchy warlords?
 
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