Revisiting an idea I had in 2008, initially mixing OTL with a couple of POD's that may have some interesting short term or possibly long term repercussions.
5 year oldMary Queen of Scots is shipped off to the Valois household in France in 1547 by her mother Marie of Guise. She becomes cultured in the ways of the French court and becomes perfect marraige fodder for the future King of France. In time she marries the Dauphin Francis in 1558. Before Francis dies in 1560, he and Mary consummate their union and Mary becomes pregnant. But Francis does die and Mary is left to give birth to the heir to French Throne, under the manipulation of Catherine. She gives birth to a boy, Francis III. Catherine usurps Mary's role as mother and the control that would give her as Dowager and thus creates an untenable with Catherine, a situation where Mary has to flee France.
The unconsolable 18 year old Mary (she has lost her husband, child and mother in one year), has to pass through England in her rushed circumstances, this brings her face to face with 23 year old Edward VI (who hasnt died in 1553) and the rough wooing has just moved up a notch. Despite their clear religious differences but possible political affiliation they marry in 1561. Mary gives birth to Henry (the future Henry IX) in 1562. But Edward does die in 1563 and the machinations of the protestant peers of the realm forceMary to abandon England and her second son because of her Catholicism.
Mary escapes to Scotland, and this is where the POD's returns to OTL. She marries Lord Henry Darnley, has the heir to the Scottish throne by him, James VI in 1566 and Darnley is blown up in 1567. She becomes reaquainted with Earl James Bothwell, they marry in 1567 and fall foul of the Scottish peers, having to make their escape from Scotland. She is pregnant with twins and has to find a safe haven for herself, her husband and her unborn children.
Three questions arise here for a potential ATL. What could happen when three (half) brothers ( Francis, Henry and James ) are kings to competing kingdoms; and where would Mary, her husband and twin (lets say sons) children go for sanctuary ? And would twin sons in exile pose a threat to the line of inheritance for France, England or Scotland ?
Constructive correction, criticism or comment is appreciated
5 year oldMary Queen of Scots is shipped off to the Valois household in France in 1547 by her mother Marie of Guise. She becomes cultured in the ways of the French court and becomes perfect marraige fodder for the future King of France. In time she marries the Dauphin Francis in 1558. Before Francis dies in 1560, he and Mary consummate their union and Mary becomes pregnant. But Francis does die and Mary is left to give birth to the heir to French Throne, under the manipulation of Catherine. She gives birth to a boy, Francis III. Catherine usurps Mary's role as mother and the control that would give her as Dowager and thus creates an untenable with Catherine, a situation where Mary has to flee France.
The unconsolable 18 year old Mary (she has lost her husband, child and mother in one year), has to pass through England in her rushed circumstances, this brings her face to face with 23 year old Edward VI (who hasnt died in 1553) and the rough wooing has just moved up a notch. Despite their clear religious differences but possible political affiliation they marry in 1561. Mary gives birth to Henry (the future Henry IX) in 1562. But Edward does die in 1563 and the machinations of the protestant peers of the realm forceMary to abandon England and her second son because of her Catholicism.
Mary escapes to Scotland, and this is where the POD's returns to OTL. She marries Lord Henry Darnley, has the heir to the Scottish throne by him, James VI in 1566 and Darnley is blown up in 1567. She becomes reaquainted with Earl James Bothwell, they marry in 1567 and fall foul of the Scottish peers, having to make their escape from Scotland. She is pregnant with twins and has to find a safe haven for herself, her husband and her unborn children.
Three questions arise here for a potential ATL. What could happen when three (half) brothers ( Francis, Henry and James ) are kings to competing kingdoms; and where would Mary, her husband and twin (lets say sons) children go for sanctuary ? And would twin sons in exile pose a threat to the line of inheritance for France, England or Scotland ?
Constructive correction, criticism or comment is appreciated
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