PINYL #26: A Polish Afterthought
Added 2021-02-01 06:01:01 +0000 UTC[PATRONS]
Can't we just leave Poland alone? It would seem not, as summer 1733 progressed, and all eyes focused on that Commonwealth...or did they? The Spanish and French, having settled their differences, presented a fearsome united front to the Habsburgs, but was this Bourbon bloc really only interested in placing Stanislaus on the Polish throne again?In fact each had their eyes on greatest prizes, such as some South Italian duchies for the Queen of Spain's sons, and a pre-emptive strike against the Duchy of Lorraine, who had recently married into the Imperial line.
Far to the distance, a new king sailed to his old homeland, where he had once worn the crown more than 25 years before. This time, no Swedes supported him, but his son in law, the King of France surely did. This bid for the throne, Stan must have believed, would be a world away from the experience of his original bid. In fact, it was to be eerily similar, as Augustus III of Saxony was also on the march, supported by his Russo-Prussian patrons, who were themselves determined to save the Commonwealth from becoming a French sphere of influence. In the background to these huge powers, were the Poles themselves, an afterthought in the conflict for their crown, and an afterthought generally in Europe.
