Recent content by DrakeRlugia

It goes beyond John VI surviving, though—he wasn't necessarily old in 1826, but Brazil had already split by the time he passed away. He probably was poisoned, though: in 1990 fragments of his heart were rehydrated and tested and there was enough arsenic within those fragments to kill two people...

We know that Lucien had no interest in Napoleon's plans. He spurned the marriage with the Queen of Etrutia (though Napoleon would say in his own memoirs that he was the one who refused to let Lucien marry her, hence his marriage to Alexandrine, though this is likely Napoleon blustering as he did...

Well, I was discussing his OTL troubles. IATL, no Pedro means Miguel can directly succeed John VI. Portugal's liberal constitution enacted in 1822 only remained in effect for a few months; the traditional pillars of society had no confidence in the constitutional project and agitated for a...

Their first son, João Carlos, the Prince of Beira was born in March 1821—though he died in February 1822 (not sure of what). If he survives, there's a potential figurehead right there that Maria Leopoldine can serve as regent for. If he still dies and Pedro dies sometime in 1822, there are still...

So, here's my take: IIRC, while Pedro is often lionized as the Father of Brazilian Independence, his position as Brazil's defender and fighter was greatly influenced by his first wife, Maria Leopoldina of Austria. When Pedro became Regent of Brazil in 1821, the situation was chaotic: he had no...

It was not so much that she refused to be married off, but her big mouth. She was sent to Paris and to the Imperial court for the express purpose of being married off and used for Napoleon's matrimonial ambitions. I can't imagine that there was much interest on the side of the Spanish or...

I can't say I see Napoleon II supporting Carlos in a situation like that. It's quite possible that Ferdinand VII might succeed in having a son, even if marries his OTL wives... though that doesn't have to happen. Might I suggest Filistine Charlotte Bonaparte as a wife for Ferdinand VII instead...

Indeed, I think Provence (or even Artois) would be less swayed by Adélaïde compared to Louis XVI. In 1774 he was only 20 when he succeeded his grandfather. Louis XVIII would be 19 in 1774, but Louis XVI's education had not been... not necessarily... neglected, per say, but the Bourbon monarchs...

I love it! For the second son—any particular reason for the Duchy of Maine beyond the Comte d'Eu connection? It's perfect the way it is, but you'd think some of the other royal appanages might be first choices (Anjou, Berri, or Burgundy). Then again, it seems like the 18th century Bourbons...

Having the OTL Louis XVIII end up as his grandfather's successor instead of Louis XVI would certainly be a very interesting thought process: I'd definitely say out of three of Louis XV's grandsons, Louis XVIII was probably the one with the most political aptitude. Unfortunately I don't know too...

Indeed, most of the French royal debt was held internally—not externally. Most of those which held investments in French debt in the period of the 18th century were also those who had the means to do so: this was just the wealthy bourgeoisie who were quickly growing and becoming influential...

To be honest, by the last years of the Ancien Régime (essentially in 1788-89) they had essentially run into issues of paying their short term debts. The financial system was a mess, hence the summoning of the Assembly of Notables and later the Estates General. When we talk about France's debt in...

I definitely agree re: Calonne, though I think his reforms came a bit too late given the terrible shape of France's finances by the mid-late 1780s. He was essentially trying to plug a cork into a leak when the whole ship is almost entirely sank. But I think his views were at least the most...

Yes, that's very true. Between two and four million people were killed throughout the entirety of the conflict between 1562-1598. I suppose it also speaks to France's resiliency and their 'excess' population that they were able to suffer such losses in the 16th century and still go on to have...

Italy was also very wealthy and economically developed before the destruction and upheavals of the Italian Wars. Much of the northern / central city states relied on the contado, or adjacent rural lands to feed them. As these cities expanded however, these lands weren't always able to meet their...