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?