At first glance, one might look at this thread and think it's about the plot where Christina of Sweden would occupy the Neapolitan throne until her death, in which Louis XIV would claim it, but this is actually something different. This is actually a thread wondering if Louis XIV and Christina of Sweden married.
Now, given that Christina of Sweden was nearly 12 years older than the Sun King, and women marrying men younger than them wasn't exactly common in nobility, but considering Christina's prestige as former Queen of Sweden (specifically a Queen of Sweden that converted to Catholicism, no less, I think this can handwaved.
Now that's out of the way, Christina first met the young Sun King when she was 29 years old, and he was 18, in 1656. Probably the most important factor in the PoD is that Christina doesn't kill Manoldeschi, thus making sure she is stilled trusted in the rest of the French Court. They would assuming marry not long after. Louis would assumingly begin his personal rule at the same time as well, about 1661. Louis' OTL wife, Maria Theresa, would be married off to Phillip, duke of Orleans.
With all that said, what happens next? Christina herself was much more infatuated with the sciences and philosophies, being more similar to Enlightenment Era rulers than to Absolutism Era rulers. Louis, traditionally, while being a sponsor of the arts and philosophy, was more interested in his prestige, specifically through war. Would Christina be able to influence Louis into becoming more like her, or would continue to pursue his dreams of grandeur?
That brings up my first sub-question: How much influence does Christina assert on Louis XIV? Is it next to none, being marginalized like Maria Theresa, or would she able to slip her way into being a key adviser of the king? If she is marginalized, how does Christina handle it? Does she accept it, or does she plot against her husband, possibly even going as far as to become Louis' chief internal problem, if not outright killing him.
Second sub-question is: What of Naples and Sweden? Does the Neapolitan plot continue onward, possibly even successfully, or does the plot hit a wall as OTL (although, the OTL wall would be set aside now). And of Sweden? Even to the end of her life, Christina regarded herself as Queen Regent, and I'm sure OTL Louis XIV would just love to place his wife on the throne of another great power, possibly starting another great war.
Third sub-question is: What of the marriage itself? OTL Louis XIV isn't exactly remembered to be the most faithful husband in the world, and Christina herself wasn't exactly that much better (but she also went unmarried, so who knows). Does this change by any chance, or does Louis XIV continue to sleep around with other women? And would Christina ever produce a proper heir for King Louis? Considering the age difference of Louis and Christina, the gap for producing a proper heir is slimmer than before (but also remember, all of Louis children by Maria Theresa were born between 1661-1672. That later date would put Christina at 46, still in child-bearing age, although on the cusp of menopause).
With all these questions asked, what do you think?
Now, given that Christina of Sweden was nearly 12 years older than the Sun King, and women marrying men younger than them wasn't exactly common in nobility, but considering Christina's prestige as former Queen of Sweden (specifically a Queen of Sweden that converted to Catholicism, no less, I think this can handwaved.
Now that's out of the way, Christina first met the young Sun King when she was 29 years old, and he was 18, in 1656. Probably the most important factor in the PoD is that Christina doesn't kill Manoldeschi, thus making sure she is stilled trusted in the rest of the French Court. They would assuming marry not long after. Louis would assumingly begin his personal rule at the same time as well, about 1661. Louis' OTL wife, Maria Theresa, would be married off to Phillip, duke of Orleans.
With all that said, what happens next? Christina herself was much more infatuated with the sciences and philosophies, being more similar to Enlightenment Era rulers than to Absolutism Era rulers. Louis, traditionally, while being a sponsor of the arts and philosophy, was more interested in his prestige, specifically through war. Would Christina be able to influence Louis into becoming more like her, or would continue to pursue his dreams of grandeur?
That brings up my first sub-question: How much influence does Christina assert on Louis XIV? Is it next to none, being marginalized like Maria Theresa, or would she able to slip her way into being a key adviser of the king? If she is marginalized, how does Christina handle it? Does she accept it, or does she plot against her husband, possibly even going as far as to become Louis' chief internal problem, if not outright killing him.
Second sub-question is: What of Naples and Sweden? Does the Neapolitan plot continue onward, possibly even successfully, or does the plot hit a wall as OTL (although, the OTL wall would be set aside now). And of Sweden? Even to the end of her life, Christina regarded herself as Queen Regent, and I'm sure OTL Louis XIV would just love to place his wife on the throne of another great power, possibly starting another great war.
Third sub-question is: What of the marriage itself? OTL Louis XIV isn't exactly remembered to be the most faithful husband in the world, and Christina herself wasn't exactly that much better (but she also went unmarried, so who knows). Does this change by any chance, or does Louis XIV continue to sleep around with other women? And would Christina ever produce a proper heir for King Louis? Considering the age difference of Louis and Christina, the gap for producing a proper heir is slimmer than before (but also remember, all of Louis children by Maria Theresa were born between 1661-1672. That later date would put Christina at 46, still in child-bearing age, although on the cusp of menopause).
With all these questions asked, what do you think?
