This alternative history's point of divergence occurs in France, 1610. Ravillac's assassination attempt against King Henry IV is uncovered. King Henry IV rules for ten more years. This leads to a different outcome of the Thirty Years War, the delay of absolutism in France, and less Huguenots in the New World.
General Timeline[]
1610, Ravaillac's assassination attempt is uncovered. Whilst torturing the conspirators it is revealed that Marie de Medici, Queen of France, was aware of the plot.
Pope Alexander VIII annuls the marriage and Henry IV has Marie executed.
King Henry marries his favorite concubine, Henriette d'Entragues. Her son by him, Gaston Henri, becomes rightful heir to the throne rather than Louis XIII.
Frederick V Elector of Palatinate and King of the Protestant Union
1616, Cardinal Richelieu becomes Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs.
King Henry, under the guidance of Richelieu imposes intendents on pro-Hapsburg nobles who may wish to restore the sons of Marie de Medici as royalty.
The intendents of the crown are executed sparking war between Henry IV and the pro-Hapsburg nobles.
1617, With Sweden caught up in a war with Poland, Cardinal Richelieu obtains funds from Denmark to raise a significant standing army and reassert rule over all of France.
1618, War breaks out in Bohemia, marking the start of the Thirty Years War.
Henry IV, under the guidance of Cardinal Richelieu, forms an alliance with Frederick V, Elector of Palatine, in their fight against Hapsburg rule.
Bohemia hints at joining the Protestant Union and crowning Frederick V king.
Land holdings circa 1621
1620, France captures the Franche-Comte region from Hapsburg hands.
With French support, the Protestant Union wins the Battle of White Mountain securing autonomy for Bohemia, Palatinate, Wurttemburg, and the rest of the Protestant Union.
1621, The Treaty of Ulm is signed, in which Protestant princes including Bohemia pledge loyalty to Frederick V. Some territories (Brandenburg) distance themselves from the Protestant Union.
Henry IV dies of a tumor at the age of 70. He is succeeded by his son by Henriette d'Entragues: Gaston Henri, crowned King Gaston of France.
1622, A stalemate is reached in what has come to be called the Reformed Revolt. The Habsburg forces sign the treaty of Prague, allowing the Protestant Union to choose their own bishops and formally acknowledging the alliance.
1623, The Protestant territories of the North irritate for the same rights the Protestant Union achieved but Emperor Ferdinand II is unwilling to relent.
King Christian IV of Denmark had achieved wealth and stability in previous years from Swedish war reparations and desired new territory to add to Protestant anti-Habsburg victories. At this point the King was already serving as Duke of Holstein. Christian IV invades Lower Saxony this year.
Without the help of Bohemian troops, Imperial forces fight a drawn out battle with the Danish.
1624, France financially supports the Danish invasion. (The OTL Huguenot rebellion never occurs in France).
1625, The Danes are welcomed into the Baltic States.
1626, Imperial forces and the Catholic League secure the states of East Germany.
The Danes are welcomed into the Duchy of Brunswick-Luneburg.
In the Polish Swedish war, Swedes are welcomed into Prussian lands to counter Poland.
1627, The Danes are welcomed into Brandenburg, a territory of Prussia.
1628, The Danes are welcomed into Saxony.
1629, The Polish-Swedish war ends with Gustavus Adolphus gaining the Balkans but failing to take Gdansk for Sweden.
In the Treaty of Brandenburg, emissaries of the Holy Roman Empire relinquish the Northern Protestant territories to Christian IV, King of Denmark.
Land holdings circa 1629.
Seeing that the Holy Roman Empire is falling apart before them, Cardinal Richelieu convinces King Gaston of France to enter into direct war with the HRE once again.
1630, King Gaston, in his first test of military strength, seizes parts of Spanish Netherlands.
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