Edward VI dies earlier

Francisco Cojuanco

As we know, Edward VI died in 1553 after a fever that may have been TB which found an opportunity after a bout of smallpox the year previous. But let us say we shift these illnesses towards the beginning of his reign. Say he gets a bout of measles and smallpox in March 1547, a month after his coronation. He survives the bout, though scarred and weakened. Then he gets TB, and finally gives up the ghost in late 1548, leaving him with a reign of slightly less than a year. The heir presumptive, of course, is Mary, his 32-year older, as yet unmarried, sister.

So what happens next?
 

mcdnab

Mary inherits better conditions for a more successful return to Catholicism.
1548 is before the onslaught of more radical protestant reform has begun to a) alienate the people and b) take hold.
There will still be an element of protestantism that will protest her rule but the chance of an attempted coup is far more difficult to see happening.
Elizabeth has still not got control of her own household so her power basis is narrow - Mary might in fact be more kindly disposed to her particularly if Elizabeth can be brought to the faith.
The Seymour faction is still in control and their relationship with Mary is still relatively good.
Crammer will get the chop whatever happens Mary loathed him for pronouncing the divorce and the validity of the Boleyn marriage.
 
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