Unexpected Heirs in Early Modern Europe

"Unexpected Heirs illustrates a key issue in monarchy-that the designated or expected heir frequently did not end up occupying the throne. Untimely deaths or political upheaval could create circumstances which brought these unexpected heirs to the fore. This collection is a wonderful addition to the field of royal studies with an excellent mix of papers which consider the cases of younger sons, regnant queens and the struggle of some consorts to produce the heirs required." (Elena Woodacre, Senior Lecturer in Early Modern European History, University of Winchester, UK) "We tend to buy the line that monarchies have smooth successions, until we think about it. This innovative set of essays offers a fresh perspective on monarchies and royal succession issues." (Katherine Crawford, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Women's and Gender Studies and History, Vanderbilt University, USA)

It shows that the need for heirs and the acquisition and preparation of heirs had a critical impact on sixteenth- and seventeenth-century culture and politics, from the appropriation of culture to the influence of language, to trade and political alliances.There were many surprising accessions in the early modern period, including Mary I of England, Henry III of France, Anne Stuart, and others, but this is the first book dedicated solely to evaluating their lives and the repercussions of their reigns. By comparing a variety of such unexpected heirs, this engaging history offers a richer portrait of early modern monarchy. It shows that the need for heirs and the acquisition and preparation of heirs had a critical impact on sixteenth- and seventeenth-century culture and politics, from the appropriation of culture to the influence of language, to trade and political alliances. It also shows that securing a dynasty relied on more than just political agreements and giving birth to legitimate sons, examining how relationships between women could and did forge alliances and dynastic continuities.