Elizabeth Tudor Dies of Smallpox in 1562

The Point of Divergence ... On October 10, 1562, Queen Elizabeth Tudor contracts smallpox. She goes into seclusion and becomes more ill day by day. Her ministers and officials urge her to name her heir in case she dies. Elizabeth refuses, but does name Robert Dudley to serve as her protector in case she does die. She has only been on the throne for four years. Despite all expectations, Elizabeth survived with a few smallpox scars, and went on to reign for four more decades.

What if Elizabeth had succumbed to smallpox and died? Who would have been the heir to the English throne? And as the protector, would Robert Dudley had tried to seize power for himself?
 
What if Elizabeth had succumbed to smallpox and died? Who would have been the heir to the English throne? And as the protector, would Robert Dudley had tried to seize power for himself?
In 1562, the best option is either Mary, Queen of Scots or Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox as dictated in Henry VIII’s will.

Lord Dudley could act as Protector of the English People and Church of England, but he isn’t popular among English nobility and has no supporting army to hold this claim or seize the throne for himself. All he can hope is that he survives as per the wishes of Elizabeth.
 
I can think of faster ways for Dudley to commit suicide. Seizing power seems the long way 'round. Not that it would last long, but it might take a couple of days....
 
I can think of faster ways for Dudley to commit suicide. Seizing power seems the long way 'round. Not that it would last long, but it might take a couple of days....
“Couple” you are optimistic for him. I could even cry asb. And is it just me imagining Dudley as Eddard Stark, trying to do the right thing for a dying monarch.
 
If this had actually happened, wouldn't Philip
II have then invaded?
 
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If this had actually happened, wouldn't Philip
II invaded?

It's unlikely he would succeed. For one thing, he (and the Spanish in general) were enormously unpopular in England at the time, with Mary I being criticised for appearing more loyal to her Spanish roots than to her English. Philip, as King of England, had extremely restricted powers because the English nobles opposed too much foreign influence.

Additionally, I'm pretty sure the Duke of Parma's force was not stationed in the Low Countries at that time, which means that troops would have to be transported from Spain itself. That causes logistical difficulties.
 
“Couple” you are optimistic for him. I could even cry asb. And is it just me imagining Dudley as Eddard Stark, trying to do the right thing for a dying monarch.

I'm figuring they're gonna have to catch him first. :cool:

And it is just you. Comparing Dudley to Stark is ASB, Dudley did for Dudley.
 
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