WI Edward's the Black Prince marriage is declared invalid?

About 1360 Edward the Black Prince desired to marry Joan the Fair Maid of Kent. Edward's parents however did not favoured a marriage between their son and their former ward. English law was such that Joan's living ex-husband, Salisbury, might have claimed any children of her subsequent marriages as his own. In addition, Edward and Joan were within the prohibited degrees of consanguinity.
The secret marriage they are said to have contracted in 1361 would have been invalid because of the consanguinity prohibition. At the King's request, the Pope granted a dispensation allowing the two to be legally married.
WI the Pope refused to grant dispensation for the marriage and it was annuled? Any subsequent children would be declared bastards with no rights to succeed... What happens when Edward predecease his father by one year? Who gets the throne? Is there any chance that England sinks to a civil war? Any thoughts?
 
Given that Richard II's OTL reign was beset by problems, and royal descendants all squabbling then civil war is certainly a possibility

John of Gaunt is certainly a big man

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
If the Pope refused to grant dispensation, then I suspect that either getting that decision reversed or ending the marriage would become the only options. I think that this kind of marriage, if opposed by the Pope, could be easily annulled by the Archbishop of Canterbury (or even the Pope if need be) and a new bride be found.

Edward III has 16 years to find a solution. Give the man some credit for being able to make sure Edward's heirs (his grandsons) aren't legal bastards.
 
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