Henry VI dies in 1447

So, this is something I've been puzzling over recently. In 1447, Humphrey duke of Gloucester died, leaving Henry VI as the only surviving member of the house of Lancaster. Now Henry was already married to Margaret of Anjou but they had no children.

What would happen if say a few months after Humphrey death, Henry himself falls ill and later dies? Now the war with France is still going on. who would succeed Henry? Would it be Richard duke of York? Would Margaret and her allies work to place a Beaufort on the throne?
 
Since Margaret's daughter Margaret Beaufort is only 6 in 1147 she's in no position to claim the throne.
I suspect Richard of York gets crowned and one of his sons marries her.
 
Interesting with Richard in Ireland though, would Margaret, Suffolk and Edmund Beaufort not scheme to see otherwise done?
 
Interesting with Richard in Ireland though, would Margaret, Suffolk and Edmund Beaufort not scheme to see otherwise done?
Probably but is not Edmund in France at this point? If not and they aim to place Edmund on the throne I expect Richard would bring civil war to them fairly quickly since the Beaufort's legitimisation specifically removed them from the succession.
 
From what I recall he was sent slightly after Richard was dispatched off to Ireland? And hmm this is true, would Margaret and company be smart enough or quick enough to get Henry to propose an act through parliament that undoes the Beaufort being barred from the throne?
 
How quickly does Henry die? Because if it's an illness where he lingers on for weeks/months that gives Henry's intimates (who are aware of the severity of the king's condition) and the Beaufort party time to prepare/canvas support.
 
Is there any chance that Henry VI can be pressured into Edward VI-esque shenanigans regarding his will/heir?
 
I reckon the chances are quite high no? He was said to be quite pilable, and Margaret did seem to have a lot of control over him, alongside Suffolk.
 
I reckon the chances are quite high no? He was said to be quite pilable, and Margaret did seem to have a lot of control over him, alongside Suffolk.

I'd imagine so, was there anyone close to the king who would be opposed to such a move/doesn't like the Beauforts?

Even if it does happen, whether anyone accepts it is another matter entirely.
 
I'd imagine so, was there anyone close to the king who would be opposed to such a move/doesn't like the Beauforts?

Even if it does happen, whether anyone accepts it is another matter entirely.

Hmm, I'm not sure, I know Holland was in the King's circle, somewhat, but he often fell out of favour.

I think the main contender against this other than Richard would be Parliament, but if the King does change his will, and name the Beauforts as his successors, would Margaret and company not work to make Parliament approve of it?
 
Hmm, I'm not sure, I know Holland was in the King's circle, somewhat, but he often fell out of favour.

I think the main contender against this other than Richard would be Parliament, but if the King does change his will, and name the Beauforts as his successors, would Margaret and company not work to make Parliament approve of it?

Would parliament do so? This isn't a Richard III situation, and the opposition to Marg and co hasn't been cowed (whereas Richard III had Edward V in his possession and was rather intimidating, with the execution of Hastings and what not).
 
A rump parliament could certainly do it but that would be if questionable legality.

There's also the fact that at this point I don't think Margaret loathed Richard as she wouldncome to so
 
Guys you have to remember Margaret of Anjou is only 17 years old. Regardless of anything else, her extreme youth will probably mean she has very little say in the new king and she probably is sent back to France. Considering she had no dowry, and the marriage actually lost England French lands, I can see the new government wanting her out on back to France quick smart, or that she gets married off really quickly. She might actually end up married to James II of Scotland, if that is a match considered to keep them happy.
 
That is true and not something I'd thought of before. Wasn't James II already married at this point tho? Or did his marriage to Mary of guelders only come later?
 
This has now got me thinking. What if when Henry dies Margaret is pregnant and later gives birth to a son? This would
Mean another regency, but who would sit on it?
 
That is true and not something I'd thought of before. Wasn't James II already married at this point tho? Or did his marriage to Mary of guelders only come later?

Mid-1449 seems to be the date for that.

This has now got me thinking. What if when Henry dies Margaret is pregnant and later gives birth to a son? This would
Mean another regency, but who would sit on it?

Richard of York will want it due to his position as heir and status as premier royal duke. He was obviously able to claim the Lord Protectorship during Henry's illness IOTL. Depending on how the dates match up regarding Henry's death and Marg's pregnancy/how ambitious he is he might try and claim Marg's child is a bastard and seize the throne himself. But this is obviously before he's been completely alienated from Henry VI's regime. He might accept it initially and go after the throne later if he gets shunted off the regency council?

Edmund Beaufort as a closer relative of Henry VI and one of Henry's intimates.

Suffolk as one of Henry's favourites.

Buckingham's floating about.

Some clergymen? The Archbishop of Canterbury is currently serving as Lord Chancellor, and the sitting Archbishop of York had previously held the position.

Now if they wait around for the birth and the child turns out to be a daughter things might be even messier.
 
Oh very interesting, and very practical. I wonder, if the child is a girl, would York marry said girl off to his eldest son? And then claim the throne?

Furthermore, how might the war progress under a regency? What role would Margaret have if any?
 
Oh very interesting, and very practical. I wonder, if the child is a girl, would York marry said girl off to his eldest son? And then claim the throne?

Would others go for that? Richard had trouble picking up support from the aristocracy IOTL, but here he's not trying to depose an anointed king whose been on the throne 30+ years so...

Furthermore, how might the war progress under a regency? What role would Margaret have if any?

Poorly, I'd imagine. Marg would probably be circumscribed influence-wise, both on account of her age and her Frenchness. Though, is this before the English handed over Maine and Anjou in accordance with Marg's marriage contract? Because that could affect both how the war in France goes and put Suffolk in a better position.

Furthermore, many of the English great lords will be reluctant to go off campaigning in France for fear they'll lose influence back home. And if there's a regency council there'll be different people advocating different strategies.
 
Very true, as far as I know the handing over of Maine and Anjou happened immediately, but the actual exodus of people leaving those two places took much longer, so if Suffolk or whoever sits the regency acts quick enough, perhaps they could do an about tail.

Would Margaret remarry or remain single, and perhaps head back to France?
 
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