Given that he would have been the clear successor, and the period had a relative lack of strong claims (shown by the fact that it the there wasn't much of a peep about moving it to some male cousin of some sort) that was willingly considered, I don't see why he wouldn't have succeeded relatively painlessly, although he might have some issues with the Catholics if he had the same religious opinions as Jane Grey.
If that's the case, do you think there might have been an attempt to get him to marry Elizabeth?
Possibly, though would that not have been admitting her legitimacy, and thus undermining his own?
Wouldn't he rather marry out somewhere in Europe? ... which royal ladies was there actually at around or just below Grey's age?
Wouldn't he rather marry out somewhere in Europe? ... which royal ladies was there actually at around or just below Grey's age?
I think this hypothetical Henry Gray would need to marry Elizabeth for Legitimacy. Even if she had the more legitimate claim to the Throne as Edward's sister, I think the natural tendency from the nobility would be to choose the available male heir. The question becomes does this new Henry rule as King or King Consort.
I think this hypothetical Henry Gray would need to marry Elizabeth for Legitimacy. Even if she had the more legitimate claim to the Throne as Edward's sister, I think the natural tendency from the nobility would be to choose the available male heir. The question becomes does this new Henry rule as King or King Consort.
Well if he is named as Edward VI's heir then surely it would be as king.
A marriage to Elizabeth would be a sort-of EoY+Henry VII move. Henry VII DIDN'T need to marry her to undeerline his kingship, he was king by right of conquest. Lord Grey will possibly wait a few months after he is crowned to marry her to make the point that HE is king, not merely the queen's husband.
True, Mary would work better as heiress, but by that point (1554, assuming an OTL schedule), she might be viewed as being a less fertile option (OTL the Greys were very reluctant about the power passing to the Dudleys when Jane married), meaning in lieu of another Greybrother, for the foreseeable future, Henry IX is married to a possibly barren wife who won't be able to give him a heir.
I dare say a healthy, protestant Lord Henry Grey would be powerful and prominent enough to sideline or imprison Mary as an illegitimate dirty papist and inherit the throne himself. He would run a serious risk of being married to some Seymour or Howard though, so leaving him free to marry Elizabeth might require some acrobacy. Her ties to the Howards, her financial settlement and her correct religion might endear her to him though.
Maybe Edward himself can arrange the match for reinforcing his cousin's claim toi the throne? If not Elizabeth a Dudley, a Seymor or a Howard are likely matches for Henry Grey
Howard and Seymour yes, the children of Dudley had from their mother side, but in any case were the most powerful houses of England at time: the Howards were the first house of the Kingdom and Elizabeth's relatives (and had many matches with the royals), the Seymours were King Edward's maternal relatives (while both of his uncles had done a bad end, Edward's Seymour children were still the King's first cousins and a surving Mary Seymour (the daughter of Thomas and Katherine Parr) will be the daughter of a Queen and the King's first cousin) while the Dudley were the children of the Lord Protector...Are these the houses with Plantagenet blood?
Few thoughts
Edward VI's motivations were clear and based solely on a desire for a Protestant and male heir - his misfortune was to be surrounded by female relations. So if Henry Grey exists then he will undoubtedly be named in Edward's device (initially the throne was left to the Lady Jane's heirs males and was later crossed out to leave it the Lady Jane).
Whilst Northumberland was aware of Edward's wishes it is debateable whether he prompted or pushed them and during Edward's illness he certainly still spent a great deal of time trying to improve his relations with the Princess Mary.
The marital dealings of Northumberland in the same year were in part traditional ties and alliances to shore up his own power and prestige rather than a calculated bid for a throne.
I suspect however given he is the only male heir around that Henry Grey is also caught in those marital dealings (that in otl involved Jane, her sister and her cousin Margaret Clifford)
Northumberland's daughters are possible but problematic - Mary was already married, Katherine was free (though she was betrothed in 1553 and was probably only about 10 ish). Another option was Margaret Clifford who is a better age (around 13 - and the daughter of his aunt Eleanor Brandon). Whatever expect a domestic marriage to shore up support for his claim - preferably to someone allied to the Greys or the Dudley's.
The main problem is Henry is going to be very reliant on his father the Duke of Suffolk and Northumberland's for support and if as in our timeline if Mary and Elizabeth are warned and ally then the majority of support will head their way.
Both were at this point popular and were regarded as next in line...if they are not taken prisoner and allowed to rally support then as in otl Henry's support could ebb away if his supporters get cold feet as many of the council did once Northumberland headed off to meet Mary's gathering forces.
I don't say Henry Grey couldn't succeed - but if Northumberland acts as he did in OTL then Henry's chances of holding the throne are pretty slim.