Something about Mary

Here's a idea initally mixing OTL with a couple of POD's that may have had some interesting short term or possibly long term reprecussions.

5 year old Mary 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 in the eyes of Catherine de Medici, mother of 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 and creates an untenable 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 who has just lost his wife in childbirth. 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 force Mary 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 as Im testing the waters here in Althist.
 
Perhaps Habsburg

Mary's sanctuary couldnt lie in Denmark (despite Fredrick II marrying his daughter to James VI in the future) due to Bothwells legacy in that country.

England is out of contention due to the Protestant regency of Henry the IX.

And Catherine de Medici in France is still alive and having troubles of her own with the Heugonots.

Could Mary turn to Philip II of Spain for sanctuary based on his Catholic marraige to Mary (1516 - 1558) of England 10 years beforehand ? Not traditional allies but perhaps because she has a son on the throne of England, a potential political coup in the offering ?
 
Revival !

Since the stunning response this brief sketch/question of an ATL received as my first post on AH, I thought I would give it a revival !

I initally thought keeping it short and uncluttered of detail might open it up to broader opinon, comparison to vague or obvious similarities or whatever. I may have got that wrong, perhaps I need to beef it up. Perhaps its a really boring 'what if' concept.

I may have breached AH etiquette by not introducing myself before launching into my storyline :eek: if so I apologise !

Regardless Im totally enjoying AH, between the interesting :D personalities here, the flying opinions and the incredible knowledge base and Im hooked.

That aside, would my storyline be pushing the boundaries of ASB if say Lord Bothwell got bumped and Mary ended up in Spain marrying either Phillip II of Spain (instead of him to Anne of Austria) or even Don Carlos (not likely eek!), and that either added lets say Eduardo I, another half brother to the Royal heads of Europe ?
 

amphibulous

Banned
It's an interesting idea and would make the start of a great novel, but it's so open that it is hard to respond. Human nature being what it is, this familial relationship could have almost any effect - or none.
 
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