Henry VIII has a twin brother

So, here's something that has gotten me thinking recently. Henry was born in 1491, and often was during his brother Arthur's life merely the spare, he didn't get the same education as his brother did whilst the kid was alive and only got a hurried one at that after his brother died and before his father died as well. I'm not really sure what Henry was like whilst his brother was alive, but afterwards he did seem quite vain and quite prone to flattery.

I'm debating an idea where Henry is a twin, his younger twin brother is named Edward-perhaps in honour of his mother's father- and as such I was wondering what the consequences of Henry having a twin could be?

I'm thinking that Edward would be quieter, more reserved than his boisterous twin, and perhaps a bit more reflective and interested in the functions of government. Whilst lacking his brother's innate ability to charm the pants off of anyone and anything.

Thoughts?

@FalconHonour @isabella @BlueFlowwer
 
Having a brother to grow up with would probably change Henry quite a bit, will think about it and let you know my thoughts later (About to head out for tea)...
 
Having a brother to grow up with would probably change Henry quite a bit, will think about it and let you know my thoughts later (About to head out for tea)...

Alrighty :).

Hmm, I wonder, would Elizabeth survive such a birth? I imagine giving birth to twins would be quite draining
 
Alrighty :).

Hmm, I wonder, would Elizabeth survive such a birth? I imagine giving birth to twins would be quite draining

I mean Isabel of Castile survived giving birth to twins - Maria and a shortlived sister called Ana. So it is definitely possible.

Assuming Edward is the younger twin, he might initially be destined for the church until Arthur's death derails those plans. One thing, besides the twin, that will likely impact Henry VIII's development is that with an extra spare Elizabeth of York will likely never have her last pregnancy (which was a pretty blatant attempt to produce a spare after Arthur's death) and thus potentially outlives her husband. Elizabeth of York (who really liked Catherine) might push for an earlier Henry x Catherine match and might generally calm her son and husband down.
 
I mean Isabel of Castile survived giving birth to twins - Maria and a shortlived sister called Ana. So it is definitely possible.

Assuming Edward is the younger twin, he might initially be destined for the church until Arthur's death derails those plans. One thing, besides the twin, that will likely impact Henry VIII's development is that with an extra spare Elizabeth of York will likely never have her last pregnancy (which was a pretty blatant attempt to produce a spare after Arthur's death) and thus potentially outlives her husband. Elizabeth of York (who really liked Catherine) might push for an earlier Henry x Catherine match and might generally calm her son and husband down.

Oh interesting, and oh do you think Henry VII would want his third son in the church given they are the royal family at that time?

And calm them down in what sense?
 
Oh interesting, and oh do you think Henry VII would want his third son in the church given they are the royal family at that time?

And calm them down in what sense?

Well, pre-Arthur's death he might want to avoid an eventual Wars of the Roses scenario by not having too many auxiliary branches floating around. After Arthur dies the point is rendered moot as Edward is needed to secure the succession.

By calm them down I mean that Henry VII got uber paranoid after Elizabeth's death and this is part of what caused Henry VIII to rebel against his father's rule (ex: Henry's war lust and wanting to be the manliest man). Elizabeth might be able to bridge the gap between father and sons.
 
Well, pre-Arthur's death he might want to avoid an eventual Wars of the Roses scenario by not having too many auxiliary branches floating around. After Arthur dies the point is rendered moot as Edward is needed to secure the succession.

By calm them down I mean that Henry VII got uber paranoid after Elizabeth's death and this is part of what caused Henry VIII to rebel against his father's rule (ex: Henry's war lust and wanting to be the manliest man). Elizabeth might be able to bridge the gap between father and sons.

Ahh this is very true. Once Arthur's gone, I suppose then he'd pull Edward away from whatever church based education he'd given the kid so far, and then perhaps bring him into the classes Henry's getting?

And ahhh I see. Yeah that would likely be of benefit to both father and son. I also think then this might potentially extend henry VII's life a little bit perhaps.
 
If Henry has a twin then Edward could stage a rebellion against him to take the crown in 1524 or something. Particulary if Edward is married and has a son or two. Just wed Mary Tudor to his son afterwards.
 
If Henry has a twin then Edward could stage a rebellion against him to take the crown in 1524 or something. Particulary if Edward is married and has a son or two. Just wed Mary Tudor to his son afterwards.

Interesting, assuming of course that everything goes as it did in our timeline.
 
With a twin brother one thing is sure to change. Henry has a heir already. If he were smart he would have Edward married around 1510 or something, just to make sure that the dynasty has two good pillars to rest upon.

Edward VI of England b 1491 m a)Renée of Bourbon b 1494 d 1518, b)Beatrice of Portugal b 1504

Issue:
a)
Elizabeth Tudor b 1511
Catherine Tudor b 1514
Henry Tudor, Prince of Wales b 1517 m Mary Tudor b 1516

b)
Renée Tudor b 1423
Arthur Tudor, Duke of York b 1525
Beatrice Tudor b 1528
 
With a twin brother one thing is sure to change. Henry has a heir already. If he were smart he would have Edward married around 1510 or something, just to make sure that the dynasty has two good pillars to rest upon.

Edward VI of England b 1491 m a)Renée of Bourbon b 1494 d 1518, b)Beatrice of Portugal b 1504

Issue:
a)
Elizabeth Tudor b 1511
Catherine Tudor b 1514
Henry Tudor, Prince of Wales b 1517 m Mary Tudor b 1516

b)
Renée Tudor b 1423
Arthur Tudor, Duke of York b 1525
Beatrice Tudor b 1528

Hmm interesting, why have Renee die in 1518?

And aye though one suspects if he lacks sons, the paranoia will start getting to him
 
Well, women died in childbirth or something else all the time. Just being realistic. If Henry goes full paranoid, then after 1525 Edward can stage a revolt and have his brother declared insane :cool:
 
Hmm interesting, why have Renee die in 1518?

And aye though one suspects if he lacks sons, the paranoia will start getting to him
In this scenario, we get something similar to the thread where Edmund Tudor lived. Equally interesting might be to see what happens if Henry does have sons and is left to deal with Edward's cadet branch, nevermind the potential moment where an ambitious nephew/descendant insists Edward was really the firstborn and thus the crown is rightfully theirs.

I rerolled Catherine's pregnancies for the hell of it and got this:
  1. Henry (1509)
  2. Henry (1511 - 1587)
  3. John, Duke of Richmond (1513 - 1559)
  4. Mary (1514 - 1529)
  5. Isabella (1516)
  6. Edward (1517 - 1522)
  7. Catherine (1518 - 1564)


Well, women died in childbirth or something else all the time. Just being realistic. If Henry goes full paranoid, then after 1525 Edward can stage a revolt and have his brother declared insane :cool:
The easy solution is to bribe a nursemaid to say that Edward was really the firstborn and there was some horrible mix-up at birth
 
In this scenario, we get something similar to the thread where Edmund Tudor lived. Equally interesting might be to see what happens if Henry does have sons and is left to deal with Edward's cadet branch, nevermind the potential moment where an ambitious nephew/descendant insists Edward was really the firstborn and thus the crown is rightfully theirs.

I rerolled Catherine's pregnancies for the hell of it and got this:
  1. Henry (1509)
  2. Henry (1511 - 1587)
  3. John, Duke of Richmond (1513 - 1559)
  4. Mary (1514 - 1529)
  5. Isabella (1516)
  6. Edward (1517 - 1522)
  7. Catherine (1518 - 1564)



The easy solution is to bribe a nursemaid to say that Edward was really the firstborn and there was some horrible mix-up at birth

Oh very ninteresting!

You know something I've wondered, what happens if Henry himself dies before he can marry Catherine? Would Edward then have to step up and take his brother's place?
 
Hopefully Edward can get a son or two from Catherine, but losing another husband/betrothed might hit Catherine even harder than otl. She might return to Spain in this scenario. Does Edward marry Margaret of Angloumene? The austrians and portugese are to small in this scenario. Or Elizabeth of Denmark?
 
Hopefully Edward can get a son or two from Catherine, but losing another husband/betrothed might hit Catherine even harder than otl. She might return to Spain in this scenario. Does Edward marry Margaret of Angloumene? The austrians and portugese are to small in this scenario. Or Elizabeth of Denmark?

Hmm, would she be allowed to return home if her father and Henry VII are still keen on that alliance?
 
Well, let's say like this. Henry VII dies as otl in 1509. New and shiny Henry VIII prepares to marry Catherine and the date is set to 11 june as otl, but Henry has a riding accident in may and dies. Thus Edward is a bit paranoid of the woman who has been married/about to marry his two dead brothers. So he instead returns Catherine home to Spain to search for a new queen.
 
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