Simple POD. IOTL she died at the age of 35 due to either consumption or childbirth complications, having been Holy Roman Empress, Queen consort of Italy, Spain and the Romans and Lady of the Netherlands for years and regent of Spain due to her husband's frequent traveling. She was responsible for Spain's independence of imperial policies and thriving economy throughout her queenship. Upon her death, her devastated husband spent the rest of his life mourning for her. But what if he never needed to do this? What if she lived longer than him, dying in the 1560s? What effect would this have on her children and her domains?
WI: Isabella of Portugal outlives Charles V?
- Thread starter ordinarylittleme
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- isabella of portugal
Well, in what relationship was she with her son? Good enought to push him to be a better husband and a better father for her niece and grandson?
probably not by much. Karl V still needs to travel for the purposes of the empire. Isabel isn't going to be bringing up Felipe II too differently to how he was OTL. As for Felipe II being a "better husband", how much "better" do we want him to be? Mean, the guy adored his wives (except Mary Tudor unfortunately), and they adored him. Fatherhood, OTOH, maybe not the greatest track record for his sons, but Felipe was a soft-touch with his daughters.
If Charles were to die in 1540 then Isabella can perhaps ensure that Philip doesn't get the Low Countries.
You mean, that instead their daughter Mary gets it as her dowry, when she marries her cousin Maximilian II.
That could work. The duchy of Milan is more tricky. That depends on when Charles V would pass away. Not sure if Ferdinand of Austria can project as much power as Charles V without the direct help of Spain.
Charles passes away in 1558, like IOTL. Isabella on the other hand dies in the 1560s.
I understood it that it was because of his "love" for the mother that he hated his son for killing her. Oh well, live and learn *shrugs*
I thought he was just ashamed of his mentally unstable son who tried to kill him...? Could he really have loved Maria Manuela when their marriage was so short?
Karl V only gave Felipe the Low Countries to "sweeten the pot" for Felipe's marriage to Mary Tudor. Whether Isabel would feel the same about a region that AIUI she never visited if debatable.
If Philip II still weds Mary Tudor, Isabella will offer something...
again. Why would the Mary-Felipe even marry anyway? Mary married Felipe OTL because Karl V suggested it. To sort of "soften the blow" of his own refusal to do so. A widower suggesting his ten-years-younger-than-you son is one thing, a married man suggesting his ten-years-younger-than-you-son is another. Isabel might see Luiz, duque de Beja offered instead (only other "real" options are either Ferdinand of Austria - either the widowered emperor or his namesake son who's even younger than Felipe)
Luis, Duke of Beja could work. Though would Mary accept this?
She died at 35...that's quite "up there" for childbearing...if she does, well, Philip II of Spain isn't going to be that powerful. Which isn't that bad tbh
Mary wanted marry only someone who was already a King, so no way Beja or Ferdinand of Austria would work.
NEVER
Perhaps we could have butterfly the death of James V and have him marry Mary I which makes his succession smoother.