About a year ago, selenak reported here that Voltaire tells a story about Philippe the Regent being after the crown of Spain when it goes to his nephew (Philip V "the frog"), and this causing friction between them.
What I have found so far in my French reading practice relates to "He had some pretensions to that place, which had been left unnoticed in the king of Spain's will, and which his father had supported by a protest."
That part at least seems to be true. Going from memory, Carlos II (the inbred genetic wonder, whose death triggered the War of the Spanish Succession in 1700) left a will saying the throne was to be offered to the younger grandson of Louis XIV first (that's the frog), the younger son of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I (that's MT's dad, Charles VI) if Louis XIV refuses it on behalf of Philip, and to Victor Amadeus of Savoy (Fritz's and my side-switching Machiavellian fave) in the unlikely event both the Bourbons and the Habsburgs refuse it.
And Philippe the Gay was all: "What do you mean, it goes to the Habsburgs if Louis XIV's grandson doesn't get it? I'm descended from Anne of Austria too!! And as Selena never tires of explaining, she is of the *house* of Austria--i.e. the Habsburgs--but geographically from Spain."
And Philippe the Regent was all, "Yeah! I want my name in the official documents in case anything happens to Philip the not-yet-frog!"
After the Orleans father and son made enough of a fuss, the Spanish drew up new documents in the early 1700s and made sure to include the Orleans line in said documents.
According to Philippe the Regent's biographer, this was a matter of family honor/prestige rather than an actual belief that either of them would or should ever come to the throne.
I've now read as far as Philippe the Regent campaigning in Spain. He hasn't shown any signs of trying to take over the throne in this book, but the day is still young. ;) I will report if anything happens.
Meanwhile, Philip V the Frog and especially his wife are quite taken with Philippe the Regent as a charming, intelligent person who is helping save their throne. Because everyone is connected, the author does Horowski proud by reminding us that not only is Philippe the (future) Regent the cousin of Philip V the (future) Frog, but also the uncle of his wife Marie-Louise of Savoy. Because Marie-Louise is the daughter of Victor-Amadeus* of Savoy, who married Anne Marie d'Orleans, the daughter of Philippe the Gay and Henrietta of England, making Anne Marie the sister of Philippe the Regent.
Not sure how the spacing will render in your browsers; does this look okay?
Louis XIII = Anne of Austria
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Louis XIV Philippe d'Orleans (Gay)
| | |
Louis Victor Amadeus = Anne-Marie Philippe d'Orleans (Regent)
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Philip V (Frog) = Marie-Louise
* Remember, VA married his daughter to the grandson of the king of France, making her queen of Spain, which you'd think would make him support his son-in-law's claims, but no, he switches sides and starts supporting the Habsburgs. Leading Marie-Louise to write the "how long, dear Papa, are you going to persecute your own children?" letter that made me and selenak wonder if it was inspired by Cicero.
Two Philippes, no waiting, redux
What I have found so far in my French reading practice relates to "He had some pretensions to that place, which had been left unnoticed in the king of Spain's will, and which his father had supported by a protest."
That part at least seems to be true. Going from memory, Carlos II (the inbred genetic wonder, whose death triggered the War of the Spanish Succession in 1700) left a will saying the throne was to be offered to the younger grandson of Louis XIV first (that's the frog), the younger son of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I (that's MT's dad, Charles VI) if Louis XIV refuses it on behalf of Philip, and to Victor Amadeus of Savoy (Fritz's and my side-switching Machiavellian fave) in the unlikely event both the Bourbons and the Habsburgs refuse it.
And Philippe the Gay was all: "What do you mean, it goes to the Habsburgs if Louis XIV's grandson doesn't get it? I'm descended from Anne of Austria too!! And as Selena never tires of explaining, she is of the *house* of Austria--i.e. the Habsburgs--but geographically from Spain."
And Philippe the Regent was all, "Yeah! I want my name in the official documents in case anything happens to Philip the not-yet-frog!"
After the Orleans father and son made enough of a fuss, the Spanish drew up new documents in the early 1700s and made sure to include the Orleans line in said documents.
According to Philippe the Regent's biographer, this was a matter of family honor/prestige rather than an actual belief that either of them would or should ever come to the throne.
I've now read as far as Philippe the Regent campaigning in Spain. He hasn't shown any signs of trying to take over the throne in this book, but the day is still young. ;) I will report if anything happens.
Meanwhile, Philip V the Frog and especially his wife are quite taken with Philippe the Regent as a charming, intelligent person who is helping save their throne. Because everyone is connected, the author does Horowski proud by reminding us that not only is Philippe the (future) Regent the cousin of Philip V the (future) Frog, but also the uncle of his wife Marie-Louise of Savoy. Because Marie-Louise is the daughter of Victor-Amadeus* of Savoy, who married Anne Marie d'Orleans, the daughter of Philippe the Gay and Henrietta of England, making Anne Marie the sister of Philippe the Regent.
Not sure how the spacing will render in your browsers; does this look okay?
* Remember, VA married his daughter to the grandson of the king of France, making her queen of Spain, which you'd think would make him support his son-in-law's claims, but no, he switches sides and starts supporting the Habsburgs. Leading Marie-Louise to write the "how long, dear Papa, are you going to persecute your own children?" letter that made me and