A Medici ruled Milan??

[aylo1]

Hi everyone,

just gettin your thoughts on whether it be worthwhile to script some events whereby the Medici can claim the Duchy of Milan.

Dynastically speaking, after the Sforzas died out, the next person who'd be eligible for the title (besides the French & German Royals) would be the future Cosimo I Grand Duke of Tuscany. His grandmother was Catherine Sforza, the illegitimate daughter of Galeazzo Maria Sforza (son of Francesco Sforza).

From a historical/political viewpoint, I know Cosimo was a vassal of the Habsburgs who owned Milan during his tenure in Tuscany & who helped him become Grand Duke. In addition the Florentine forces would've been no match for the Holy Roman Empire.

Gamewise a Medici ruled Milan will extend its independent history by roughly a century before being absorbed into the Habsburg Empire & the idea's been eating at me since I discovered the possibility reading Christopher Hibbert's 'The Rise & Fall of the House of Medici'.

If this has been discussed before, then I'll let u know that I'm notoriously lazy Pls provide a link if its the case.

Otherwise everyone have a happy xmas & new year !!!

Aylo1

 

[Bordic]

AFAIK Savoy and Orléans had valid claims well before the "usurpators" Sforzas when the Visconti's line stopped in 1447. And only Ludovico il Moro (in 1494 confirmed by Maximilian I) and his sons Ercole Massimiliano and Francesco Maria (in 1429 confirmed by Charles V) were confirmed Dukes by the HREmperors just as an opportunity to keep the French away for a while...

 

[aylo1]

AFAIK Savoy and Orléans had valid claims well before the "usurpators" Sforzas when the Visconti's line stopped in 1447. And only Ludovico il Moro (in 1494 confirmed by Maximilian I) and his sons Ercole Massimiliano and Francesco Maria (in 1429 confirmed by Charles V) were confirmed Dukes by the HREmperors just as an opportunity to keep the French away for a while...

I always thought it was the most closely related to the recent ruler that got the inheritance, & yes I'm aware of Savoy & Orleans claim, but the Sforzas were connected to the Visconti's through Franceso I Sforza & Filipo Maria Visconti's illegitimate daughter Bianca. And since Ludovico & his sons were confirmed Dukes by the HRE wouldn't it make the Medici claim just as solid as Savoy & Orleans??

 

[Bordic]

In that sense also Danmark could have claim on Milan, since the wife of the last childless Duke Francesco II Maria Sforza was Christiane (!?) of Danmark, Charles V's grand-daughter...

 

[aylo1]

In that sense also Danmark could have claim on Milan, since the wife of the last childless Duke Francesco II Maria Sforza was Christiane (!?) of Danmark, Charles V's grand-daughter...

That I didn't know, I'll have to read up on inheritance laws in Italy (it seems every territory at that time had different successional laws). Does anyone know if its salic/semisalic etc??

Also if Denmark were to claim Milan, how could they enforce their rule?? Consider their proximity & the religious differences. I'm pretty sure Denmark is Lutherian whereas Milan Catholic.

 

[almoravid]

Also if Denmark were to claim Milan, how could they enforce their rule?? Consider their proximity & the religious differences. I'm pretty sure Denmark is Lutherian whereas Milan Catholic.

Well, Denmark officially embraced the reformation a year or two after Sforzas went extinct. If the king was seriously about to claim Milan (which would be hard to achieve), he could have waited for a few more years, unless domestic situation was really getting critical.

 

[aylo1]

Well, Denmark officially embraced the reformation a year or two after Sforzas went extinct. If the king was seriously about to claim Milan (which would be hard to achieve), he could have waited for a few more years, unless domestic situation was really getting critical.

And even if denmark gets milan, they're still going to have to deal with the religious issue. Denmark could try converting Milan to Protestant (though I've never known any Protestant Italians myself) & the region is predominantely Catholic. This option's becoming a dead end.

Take a step back & how Cosimo I (as none of his successors were that good anyway) could aquire it. Maybe trade Siena for Milan?