What if Anne Boleyn didn't miscarry in 1534, but what if it wasn't the long awaited son, but another daughter? I mean I get that no one is exactly happy with another daughter but a living child in such a short time since the last was born after years of stillbirths and miscarriages with Katherine, could it not be taken as a hopeful sign?
To what degree would Henry feel conflicted whether to be happy or not with the new child? After all his own mother was the oldest of King Edward IV's children and there were two more daughters before sons followed. One could even make the argument that since Anne's parents had two daughters first(if you ascribe to Mary b.1499/1500; Anne b.1501) before sons followed then surely it isn't so odd.
Henry might not be pleased that it's not the long awaited son, but wouldn't he take it in a good light that at least the child was born alive and healthy?
Eric Ives writes that there is evidence that Henry VIII ordered a silver cradle, decorated with precious stones and Tudor roses, from Cornelius Hayes, his goldsmith, as soon as April 1534. So Anne at this stage must be showing enough that most people are certain she is with child which means she got pregnant soon after giving birth to Elizabeth. She would have already proven she's fertile and two living, healthy and thriving children, in such a short time is still something after Katherine's obstetric history.
Would a second child make Henry give Anne more time, even if she "miscarries of her saviour" in 1536 like OTL? Contrary to popular belief the miscarriage of January 1536 wasn't the end of Anne and Henry's marriage or the moment Henry VIII decided he was in need of another wife.
If he does give her more time, how much and if she is still alive when the Pilgrimage of Grace in October of 1536 starts, what could it mean for her on all possible levels? How much would the rebels blame on her, how much would her husband? What sort of role would she play?
P.S. Also would the daughter of 1534 be named Anne, after her mother, or something different? And who would be her godparents?
To what degree would Henry feel conflicted whether to be happy or not with the new child? After all his own mother was the oldest of King Edward IV's children and there were two more daughters before sons followed. One could even make the argument that since Anne's parents had two daughters first(if you ascribe to Mary b.1499/1500; Anne b.1501) before sons followed then surely it isn't so odd.
Henry might not be pleased that it's not the long awaited son, but wouldn't he take it in a good light that at least the child was born alive and healthy?
Eric Ives writes that there is evidence that Henry VIII ordered a silver cradle, decorated with precious stones and Tudor roses, from Cornelius Hayes, his goldsmith, as soon as April 1534. So Anne at this stage must be showing enough that most people are certain she is with child which means she got pregnant soon after giving birth to Elizabeth. She would have already proven she's fertile and two living, healthy and thriving children, in such a short time is still something after Katherine's obstetric history.
Would a second child make Henry give Anne more time, even if she "miscarries of her saviour" in 1536 like OTL? Contrary to popular belief the miscarriage of January 1536 wasn't the end of Anne and Henry's marriage or the moment Henry VIII decided he was in need of another wife.
If he does give her more time, how much and if she is still alive when the Pilgrimage of Grace in October of 1536 starts, what could it mean for her on all possible levels? How much would the rebels blame on her, how much would her husband? What sort of role would she play?
P.S. Also would the daughter of 1534 be named Anne, after her mother, or something different? And who would be her godparents?