POD: James VI & I of Scotland and England dies without heirs.

In a POD where James VI & I of Scotland and England dies before he has any children with Anne of Denmark, either murdered or due to natural causes, or otherwise dies in childbirth with his mother Mary of Scots, what would be the consequences to the political scene of the British Isles and Europe in a whole?

Although we all know that marriage/inheritance played a great part at the political games of that time, let's not forget that the Isles were through a delicate period: the Anglican Communion, the clashes between Protestants and Catholics, clashes between factions of Protestants, Scotish calvinists/presbyterians, and tons of conspiracies from all sides. Not to even mention the international politics: the raving-mad Habsburgs from Austria and Spain, the decadent Valois from France, the arise of Scandinavian protestantism, the exploration of North America and so on.

Elizabeth dies 1603 as IOTL. No James Stuart. No Union of Crowns. Who would inherit Scotland? Who would inherit England and Ireland? Would the Isles still be strong in their Protestant cause? Would Catholics take over?

Well, it's up to you.
 
In a POD where James VI & I of Scotland and England dies before he has any children with Anne of Denmark, either murdered or due to natural causes, or otherwise dies in childbirth with his mother Mary of Scots, what would be the consequences to the political scene of the British Isles and Europe in a whole?

Although we all know that marriage/inheritance played a great part at the political games of that time, let's not forget that the Isles were through a delicate period: the Anglican Communion, the clashes between Protestants and Catholics, clashes between factions of Protestants, Scotish calvinists/presbyterians, and tons of conspiracies from all sides. Not to even mention the international politics: the raving-mad Habsburgs from Austria and Spain, the decadent Valois from France, the arise of Scandinavian protestantism, the exploration of North America and so on.

Elizabeth dies 1603 as IOTL. No James Stuart. No Union of Crowns. Who would inherit Scotland? Who would inherit England and Ireland? Would the Isles still be strong in their Protestant cause? Would Catholics take over?

Well, it's up to you.



England - probably Arbella Stuart, though there are other possibles.

Scotland - iirc the Earl of Arran was next in line.

Could matter a lot since the English Civil War was in large part triggered by Charles I's attempt to impose Anglicanism on the Scots. With no Charles I and no Union of Crowns, that doesn't happen.
 
If James dies in childbirth then Mary if she also survives is likely to stay on the Scots throne until she produces a direct heir.
I would think a better and more interesting option is for James to die in childhood after his mother's deposition.

In Scotland the death of Mary and her son means the heir is this chap until his death in 1575.

James Hamilton 2nd Earl of Arran and his issue
his eldest son James went mad but would live till 1609 his brother John Hamilton would be the next in line but died in OTL before his older brother leaving his son James Hamilton as the principal heir.

Alternatively his claim whilst accepted in Scotland was disputed by Matthew Stewart 4th Earl of Lennox (and husband of Margaret Douglas) on his death (which in a scenario where he wasn't regent for James VI) which would be later than in OTL - his claim would pass to Lord Darnley and then his second son Charles Stewart and his daughter Arbella.

Arran is the likeliest victor in Scotland as James VII (if OTL James VI rules briefly) though with mad King James VIII to follow.

In England -
If James VI dies in childhood then Elizabeth and her council are faced with a number of possibilities.
The Third Act of Succession giving Henry VIII's will authority was clear - the heir is until her death Lady Catherine Grey, her sister Mary Grey and then her aunt Eleanor Brandon.
So on Elizabeth's death the council will be faced with Catherine Grey's illegitimate son Edward Seymour succeeding as Edward VII or the senior descendant of Lady Eleanor Brandon - Lady Anne Stanley succeeding as Queen Anne I.
THe other option would be the senior heir general of Henry VII - Lady Arbella Stuart.
 
Note that Edward was only illegitimate OTL as Catherine and Ed Sr did not have Queen Bess's permission to marry (as Catherine was an heir).
TTL with Arran not having any claim to England that permission may be more forthcoming (even if retroactively) thus making Edward the primary claimant.
One wonders if he would marry Arbella TTL and make a claim for Scotland too ;) (incidentally gaining any merit from her claim as senior heir general)
 
I agree that Arabella would probably be the first in throne in England, but not in Scotland.

Althought she was a great-granddaughter to Margaret Tudor, she wasn't a descendant of any recent Scottish monarch. Probably as said the Earls of Arran, descendants of a daughter of James II of Scotland would be the heirs.

If Catherine Grey's marriage wasn't illegitimate, Arabella's marriage to William Seymour of Somerset would make them the universal heirs to the English throne. It is said that they had a daughter who was covered up by history, although it is believed this is just a legend. If such a girl existed (and was legitimate) she would have been the recognized heir in case James VI died heirless.

I wonder about the consequences of Scotland and England remaining separate and governed by two different monarchs, the Arrans and the Seymours.
 
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