Queen Mary's Heirs

[ordinarylittleme]

inspired by: https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/the-children-of-camelot.506739/

"In the last week of April 1555, Elizabeth was released from house arrest and called to court as a witness of the birth, which was expected imminently. Many physicians tended to the queen, and the king Philip was there holding her hand in a rare gesture of solidarity with his wife. Nobody expected what happened. A large baby boy with tufts of red hair across his head came out wailing. The next, a beautiful doe-eyed girl, came out kicking and screaming. Then a final child, a smaller boy than his siblings, but crying at the top of his lungs. They were christened Philip, John and Katherine, with the Lady Elizabeth as their aunt and godmother."

If Mary still dies in 1558, what happens? Who are the children likely to marry? Will the English people accept a half-Spanish King Philip II?

 

[ordinarylittleme]

inspired by: https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/the-children-of-camelot.506739/

"In the last week of April 1555, Elizabeth was released from house arrest and called to court as a witness of the birth, which was expected imminently. Many physicians tended to the queen, and the king Philip was there holding her hand in a rare gesture of solidarity with his wife. Nobody expected what happened. A large baby boy with tufts of red hair across his head came out wailing. The next, a beautiful doe-eyed girl, came out kicking and screaming. Then a final child, a smaller boy than his siblings, but crying at the top of his lungs. They were christened Philip, John and Katherine, with the Lady Elizabeth as their aunt and godmother."

If Mary still dies in 1558, what happens? Who are the children likely to marry? Will the English people accept a half-Spanish King Philip I?

"Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor wrote a letter of congratulations to his cousin and daughter-in-law. Mary, who knew this was to be her only pregnancy, doted on her children and hired a dozen tutors for each child. Her court marveled at the newfound vitality in their queen, who had become far more good-tempered as a result of her motherhood. Elizabeth had informed her sister of her decision to enter a convent, a decision of which the queen approved. All in all, it was a good time for Mary I. It was not a particularly pleasant time for the Protestant population of England, however, as she considered her three children the sign of God's approval of her actions."

 

[ordinarylittleme]

"In 1558, the queen was dead, having passed away in her sleep. The late queen's sister, the Lady Elizabeth who had recently become an abbess, took on the role of regent and ordered the court to go into mourning. Meanwhile, the new king, Philip was crowned. Since he wailed and wept during the coronation ceremony, and refused to sit still, it took much longer than expected. Mary's children were inconsolable over her death and were clad in black outfits throughout their childhood on the order of their father, which soon defined a new era of English fashion. Elizabeth was careful to toe the line between Catholics and Protestants, and had the young king instructed to accept all religions. She wrote frequently to Philip II of Spain, though she didn't take all of his advice."

 

[ordinarylittleme]

"In 1558, the queen was dead, having passed away in her sleep. The late queen's sister, the Lady Elizabeth who had recently become an abbess, took on the role of regent and ordered the court to go into mourning. Meanwhile, the new king, Philip was crowned. Since he wailed and wept during the coronation ceremony, and refused to sit still, it took much longer than expected. Mary's children were inconsolable over her death and were clad in black outfits throughout their childhood on the order of their father, which soon defined a new era of English fashion. Elizabeth was careful to toe the line between Catholics and Protestants, and had the young king instructed to accept all religions. She wrote frequently to Philip II of Spain, though she didn't take all of his advice."

The triplets of Philip I and Mary I were Europe's most desired matches. The kings of Portugal, France, and Scotland all offered their children forward. Elizabeth selected two potential candidates for her niece's husband: the second son of Henry II of France and Caterina de Medici, Charles, heir presumptive to the French throne. As the firstborn son, Francis II, the new king of France, had already wed the queen of Scotland who had borne him a daughter named Marie. Or her niece's cousin, Sebastian of Portugal. For her nephew Philip, she decided to accept the archduchess Elisabeth of Austria. While for John, she briefly wondered about simply pushing him into the church, but knew that his father would not like that. So, she decided to accept the offer of Francis II and Mary, Queen of Scots to betroth John to their daughter, Marie. Though she was not entirely certain on these options, at least she knew there was a lot of time to potentially change these contracts.

(Look, I know the thread is about Mary I. But..."Queen Mary" can also refer to Mary, Queen of Scots...so...I kind of cheated a bit here.)

 

[ordinarylittleme]

The triplets of Philip I and Mary I were Europe's most desired matches. The kings of Portugal, France, and Scotland all offered their children forward. Elizabeth selected two potential candidates for her niece's husband: the second son of Henry II of France and Caterina de Medici, Charles, heir presumptive to the French throne. As the firstborn son, Francis II, the new king of France, had already wed the queen of Scotland who had borne him a daughter named Marie. Or her niece's cousin, Sebastian of Portugal. For her nephew Philip, she decided to accept the archduchess Elisabeth of Austria. While for John, she briefly wondered about simply pushing him into the church, but knew that his father would not like that. So, she decided to accept the offer of Francis II and Mary, Queen of Scots to betroth John to their daughter, Marie. Though she was not entirely certain on these options, at least she knew there was a lot of time to potentially change these contracts.

(Look, I know the thread is about Mary I. But..."Queen Mary" can also refer to Mary, Queen of Scots...so...I kind of cheated a bit here.)

The wedding of Don Carlos, the triplets' older half-brother, and the French princess Elisabeth of Valois was celebrated throughout Europe. When Elisabeth became pregnant, such celebrations only continued. Elizabeth wrote a letter of congratulations, which also included an offer for trading relationships to be built. Her role as regent was less demanding now, as she had formed a council, and more than ever she worked from the convent and took advice from her fellow nuns. If one asked Elizabeth Tudor how she felt about this situation, she would truthfully reply that she had accepted it. Though she often wondered what her own reign would be like, she was content with her peaceful life, and she would never try to usurp the throne of her nephew. She, too, had grown up on tales of her grandmother's uncle, the usurper Richard. Besides, she did genuinely love her nephews and niece. Heaven forbid anyone think she would lock them up in a tower! Her niece, Katherine, had recently said her first word: her aunt's name. She was the quickest to speak out of the triplets, the two sons still communicated mainly by crying and screaming.

(Since Philip II already has three male heirs, he does not need to wed Elisabeth. Plus, remarrying to his son's fiancée RIGHT AFTER his loyal wife gave birth to three children? Yeah...that isn't going to go well...plus, the opera "Don Carlos" portrays their relationship in such a tragic manner that, well, I kind of wanted to butterfly a happier ending of sorts for these two. Even IOTL he always treated her kindly despite his descent into madness.)

 

[ordinarylittleme]

The wedding of Don Carlos, the triplets' older half-brother, and the French princess Elisabeth of Valois was celebrated throughout Europe. When Elisabeth became pregnant, such celebrations only continued. Elizabeth wrote a letter of congratulations, which also included an offer for trading relationships to be built. Her role as regent was less demanding now, as she had formed a council, and more than ever she worked from the convent and took advice from her fellow nuns. If one asked Elizabeth Tudor how she felt about this situation, she would truthfully reply that she had accepted it. Though she often wondered what her own reign would be like, she was content with her peaceful life, and she would never try to usurp the throne of her nephew. She, too, had grown up on tales of her grandmother's uncle, the usurper Richard. Besides, she did genuinely love her nephews and niece. Heaven forbid anyone think she would lock them up in a tower! Her niece, Katherine, had recently said her first word: her aunt's name. She was the quickest to speak out of the triplets, the two sons still communicated mainly by crying and screaming.

(Since Philip II already has three male heirs, he does not need to wed Elisabeth. Plus, remarrying to his son's fiancée RIGHT AFTER his loyal wife gave birth to three children? Yeah...that isn't going to go well...plus, the opera "Don Carlos" portrays their relationship in such a tragic manner that, well, I kind of wanted to butterfly a happier ending of sorts for these two. Even IOTL he always treated her kindly despite his descent into madness.)

Elisabeth of Valois, too, had given birth to healthy triplets: boys named Charles and Maximilian, and a girl named Claude. This was cause for mass celebrations, again. It was a good year for the Tudor-Habsburgs, as the children were known as. Meanwhile, the regent Elizabeth was puzzling over what she should do with Scotland's unstable religious situation. The regent, Marie of Guise was being threatened by the growing influence of the Scottish Protestants. Although Elizabeth liked the tolerant stance that she took, she also knew that Philip II of Spain did not. Meanwhile, Francis II of France and Mary, Queen of Scots began to display the arms of England in their blazon, causing murmurs of concern.

 

[ordinarylittleme]

Elisabeth of Valois, too, had given birth to healthy triplets: boys named Charles and Maximilian, and a girl named Claude. This was cause for mass celebrations, again. It was a good year for the Tudor-Habsburgs, as the children were known as. Meanwhile, the regent Elizabeth was puzzling over what she should do with Scotland's unstable religious situation. The regent, Marie of Guise was being threatened by the growing influence of the Scottish Protestants. Although Elizabeth liked the tolerant stance that she took, she also knew that Philip II of Spain did not. Meanwhile, Francis II of France and Mary, Queen of Scots began to display the arms of England in their blazon, causing murmurs of concern.

Elizabeth was panicking over what to do with Francis and Mary of Scots. As regent, not queen, she had no power to execute the daring royal couple the way she so dearly wished to at this moment. She had responded vaguely to a letter sent by Marie of Guise and hoped it was enough. Besides, she had more things to worry about - a sweeping epidemic had breeched London and began killing off vast numbers of people, including some members of the nobility.

 

[ordinarylittleme]

Elizabeth was panicking over what to do with Francis and Mary of Scots. As regent, not queen, she had no power to execute the daring royal couple the way she so dearly wished to at this moment. She had responded vaguely to a letter sent by Marie of Guise and hoped it was enough. Besides, she had more things to worry about - a sweeping epidemic had breeched London and began killing off vast numbers of people, including some members of the nobility.

Philip II of Spain had decided to come to England with his cousin/brother-in-law, Maximilian II. Oh, for goodness' sake. As if Elizabeth had nothing better to do than to entertain them and their entourage. But they were the father and the uncle of the king, and she was just the lady aunt, so she ordered the court to host a dance and feast for the two kings.

 

[ordinarylittleme]

Philip II and Maximilian II arrived in England, and they did not leave for a year. During this year they were almost physically attached to the young king, and neither of them particularly liked how Elizabeth had been raising the children and running England. Elizabeth took her leave to Scotland to help deal with the mess going on there. She did not offer any support to the lords of the congregation, though she wanted to.

 

[ordinarylittleme]

While in Scotland Elizabeth found herself quite attracted to Henry Stuart, a dashing Scottish nobleman who reminded her a little of Robert Dudley. She did not pursue it - as abbess, such things were forbidden to her now - but they struck up such a close friendship that gossip began to spread about her scandalous behavior, so reminiscent of her mother's. The situation in Scotland was dangerous and complex, and Elizabeth took care to say as little as possible. The queen of Scotland, Mary, wrote in a letter that such behavior proved her unsuitability as regent and offered to send some of her own trusted advisors to England. Elizabeth, knowing which way the winds were blowing, fled back to England, having achieved little in Scotland.

 

[ordinarylittleme]

Elizabeth could not help but burst out laughing upon realizing that Henry Stuart found himself assassinated by a jealous Scottish nobleman after he had seduced his wife. This laughter was a little mixed by sadness, as she truly had liked him, but knew that marriage and children was no longer an option for her. She had obeyed Philip and Maximilian and hired some Catholic tutors who were, if she said so herself, more zealous than her late sister...if she had been queen, this wouldn't have happened. But of course, God had decided she was to settle for a life of spinsterhood. She sent some of her trusted physicians to deal with the epidemic, and took care to have some places for isolation to be built for those exhibiting strong symptoms. Francis II and Mary of Scots were still proclaiming themselves as rightful rulers of England, stating that the children of Philip and Mary were produced by some devilry that rendered them illegitimate. England's councils revolted at the idea of being controlled by France, and even though the king was more Spanish than English, he was at least physically in England and able to be controlled by Englishmen and women until his majority...