John of Gaunt

Edward the Black Prince and his only surviving son Richard both die before Edward III, thereby making John of Gaunt heir. What type of king does he make and does this prevent the wars of the Roses a generation later?
 
Quite possibly. If John of Gaunt was recognised as heir, then there isn't the stigma of deposition attached to Lancaster such as IOTL when his son took the crown.

York might still try to claim succession through Lionel of Antwerp, but the position is greatly weakened. Of course, if an analogue of OTL Henry VI still pops up, rebellion of some sort could well be on the cards.
 
Then we see something like the acts of Henry VIII earlier. In that, I mean the break between England and the RC Church. Perhaps not as extreme, and for different reasons, but we see a definate loosening of the religious ties with the Papacy. Parliament had already been busy passing laws along similar lines anyway.

J of was a great supporter it seems of John Wyclyff and the Lollard movements. Chaucer, a great friend and subordinate of J of G, seemed to have a penchant for writing pro-Lollard stuff anyway. I think that J of G might have even put him up to it.

So, with J of G as head, I think we see a real reform movement. Probably even no Peasants Revolt of 1381.
 
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