I don't know if this is too much of a stretch that it becomes ASB but Ok.
What if the Hapbsurg Dynasty (or at least its Imperial/Austrian Branch) becomes protestant? Lets say that unlike OTL, where theyremained staunchly catholic, either due to a new big figth with the Pope or some other reason, the Austrian Branch of the Hapbsurg Family (which was started by Charles V's younger brother after he decided trying to rule both Spain and the HRE was impossible) becomes completely and irrevocably protestant.
What would happen? In special if said conversion happens either in the generation of Ferdinand I (Charles' brother) or in his son's generation (and not on the possibly easier conversion fo Matthias and he having children).
Do they fare better than in OTL? Maybe even managing to make the HRE more united under them? Do they lose the Hapsburg Jaw (since I don't think the Spanish Branch would be fond of the idea of marrying protestants) or the smaller pool of relatives makes the inbreeding even worse on both sides (which I think is unlikely, now that they are protestants they would need to do some great backpedaling to gain some stability, and maybe marry other HRE lines to strenghten themselves)? Does the HRE become even more Protestant (and maybe Protestantism fares better in other regions)? Or their disconnection to the Spanish and the Papacy makes their fall even harsher?
Also, as a bonus, what would happen if BOTH Hapsburg branches become protestant?
What if the Hapbsurg Dynasty (or at least its Imperial/Austrian Branch) becomes protestant? Lets say that unlike OTL, where theyremained staunchly catholic, either due to a new big figth with the Pope or some other reason, the Austrian Branch of the Hapbsurg Family (which was started by Charles V's younger brother after he decided trying to rule both Spain and the HRE was impossible) becomes completely and irrevocably protestant.
What would happen? In special if said conversion happens either in the generation of Ferdinand I (Charles' brother) or in his son's generation (and not on the possibly easier conversion fo Matthias and he having children).
Do they fare better than in OTL? Maybe even managing to make the HRE more united under them? Do they lose the Hapsburg Jaw (since I don't think the Spanish Branch would be fond of the idea of marrying protestants) or the smaller pool of relatives makes the inbreeding even worse on both sides (which I think is unlikely, now that they are protestants they would need to do some great backpedaling to gain some stability, and maybe marry other HRE lines to strenghten themselves)? Does the HRE become even more Protestant (and maybe Protestantism fares better in other regions)? Or their disconnection to the Spanish and the Papacy makes their fall even harsher?
Also, as a bonus, what would happen if BOTH Hapsburg branches become protestant?
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