So my current timeline Stars and Stripes Ascendant is based off a trilogy of books with an Ameriwank where the United States successfully invades Britain in 1866 due to a war over the Trent Affair, with the book ending in Britain's capitulation and the forced abdication of Queen Victoria. Under the peace treaty Britain is to be transformed into a Republic named the Federation of Britannia (not in any way connected to my planned Britannia for Lone Star Republic). My question is that in the situation where the British monarchy not only abdicates, but has no other colony or nation who are willing to accept them as heads of state, what happens to the Church of England?
The whole purpose or at least the origins of the Church were so that the Kings of England could rule without religious or social interference from the Roman Catholic Church. While the modern Church has evolved significantly from Henry's rule, in the 19th century it was still a significant part of English society with the monarch being heavily involved. While I presume that the Archbishop of Canterbury would assume full control, how would he be able to justify the continued existence of the Church without the English monarch at its head? Would there be a reformation led by the Archbishop? Would we see an eventual schism? Would some members return to the Catholic Church? What would happen?
The whole purpose or at least the origins of the Church were so that the Kings of England could rule without religious or social interference from the Roman Catholic Church. While the modern Church has evolved significantly from Henry's rule, in the 19th century it was still a significant part of English society with the monarch being heavily involved. While I presume that the Archbishop of Canterbury would assume full control, how would he be able to justify the continued existence of the Church without the English monarch at its head? Would there be a reformation led by the Archbishop? Would we see an eventual schism? Would some members return to the Catholic Church? What would happen?