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I always love a good succession crisis, and when you put an heiress (that is, Elizabeth I of England), not to mention one who distinctly refuses to name an heir, well then, things just go really crazy. Bess was known for her longevity, but it wasn't long after her ascension in 1563 that Elizabeth became ill with smallpox. While she was on her death bed, the council debated.

Her wishes had nothing to do with the succession, as, drifting in and out of consciousness the Queen merely demanded her favorite, Dudley, be made Lord Protector and be given an income of £50,000. Not really important when she was about to die and was more worried about her favorite.

So, Elizabeth dies. Who is her successor in this case?

Mary Stuart is still upon her throne, and is the most genelogical senior year, Catholic though relations with Darnley are strained. Darnley, the hopeful boy of the Catholics has all but discredited himself in both England and Scotland, and some years before his marriage was considered a viable successor by the Catholic party not so here. Mary may be able to muster an army with the help of Moray, but I doubt she could take England by force, and that is never what she was wanted until she was locked up and began scheming.

England has several better, more Protestant candidates. The offspring of Mary Tudor and Brandon, including the Grey sisters, the Ladies Catherine and Mary Grey. Catherine was the eldest and was hunched back, but was a popular by Spanish influences in court, but was somewhat of a blacksheep. Her first marriage had led to her husband abandoning her due to the political claimant following Edward VI's death. Elizabeth was quite friendly with her, but by 1563 she has married Seymour, been locked up, and her children declared illegitimate. Even on her death bed, I find Catherine to be the least likely to possibly succeed.

Mary is in a bit better position, as in 1563 she's not yet tarnished her reputation. But as far as I can tell, there were really no movements that supported her ascension, She was just a 'spare' Grey and nothing more.

Another option was a dark horse, Henry Hastings. The Earl of Huntington was a Calvinist, and held a few minor posts, as Elizabeth feared his influence. He had some Plantagenet blood through his veins, as well. He's also a man, which gives him a boost over the Grey sistsers, as neither of them was considered very brilliant. Catherine was mooted before her marriage, and Spain especially favored it, but here you'd have an actual viable, Protestant successor. Maybe a Puritan, but still a man. There be some after Mary and now Elizabeth's short reigns who do not want to risk a third.

1563 may be the best time since Scotland has her own political issues; Mary was too busy with her own problems to raise a host to take her to London (although honestly, it's more likely to get her to Berwick and start complaining then go any further). Spain is busy in the Netherlands with it's own troubles and the latest flames have broken out. Elizabeth's succession may be able to succeed with minimal foreign trouble, although domestic troubles are very possible.

What would happen under Queen Catherine, or hell, Henry? Domestic policies, foreign? I don't know know enough to make a broad answer, but may the Calvinist Henry seek to bring England's religious makeup closer to Calvinism? Does England give involved with the Dutch? In France? How does Europe begin to look at the close of the 17th century?

One interesting modern side effect is there will be little interest in the Tudors. Henry VIII might have some popularity, but probably only for his string of marriages and lack of issue in them. No surviving Elizabethan cult and probably no interest to little interest in Edward, Mary or Elizabeth except probably in he most hardcore historian.

How does it go from there? Maybe if Mary Grey is chosen given the fact she's unwed. will she take a husband like Elizabeth refused to do? Who?
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