WI: Henry VIII had had a son from Catherine of Aragon

If Henry VIII had had a son from his first wife Catherine of Aragon, I think it's safe to say there would have been no split for the RC Church officially at least, considering the whole reason Herny split from them was because the Pope would not give him the divorce he wanted.

This raises other interesting questions, what happens in Catholic 16th Century England, is there still a protestant movement? Do Heny and Catherin have more children?
 
Obviously, if Henry VIII had had a surviving son by Catherine of Aragon [or, failing that, had the Pope quickly granted him an annulment on Henry's request], there would have been no rush for Henry to declare that the Church of Rome had withdrawn from England and the 'need' to establish a new church with himself as the Head.
So, if Henry had stayed with the Catholic Church [and constantly crowed about his 'Defender of the Faith' title he'd gotten from an earlier pope],IMO it's likely that Protestantism would have come to the British Isles as a means to rebel AGAINST the Tudors by those in outlying Celtic areas such as Cornwall, Wales and the Border Counties perhaps with Scottish support. Maybe even Ireland [which seemed to stay Catholic JUST to annoy the English occupiers] would have gone Protestant as well.
 
So, if Henry had stayed with the Catholic Church [and constantly crowed about his 'Defender of the Faith' title he'd gotten from an earlier pope],IMO it's likely that Protestantism would have come to the British Isles as a means to rebel AGAINST the Tudors by those in outlying Celtic areas such as Cornwall, Wales and the Border Counties perhaps with Scottish support. Maybe even Ireland [which seemed to stay Catholic JUST to annoy the English occupiers] would have gone Protestant as well.
There was little markedly Protestant about the Henrician church settlement as it was - it was pure political ad hocery on behalf of an otherwise committed Catholic king. Theological reformers enjoyed no particular preeminence at his court, and certainly not in matters of ecclesiastical policymaking. Even under Edward VI, who's reign constituted one of England's few truly Calvinist spasms, the 'Protestantism' of many central figures is a very suspect business indeed (Edward Seymour and Thomas Cranmer, most notably, made total religious U-turns with the prince's accession).

The bottom line is, without the blessing of a separate English church they can exploit to claw their way into significance, Protestants are going to remain a small, persecuted minority, detached from both the common masses and the aristocracy (anyone that mattered, basically). This is true of the British Isles in general - remember, Scotland's break with Rome was essentially an unabashed aping of the precedent set south of the border. A son by Catherine of Aragon effectively writes Protestantism out of British public life, with gigantic implications down the line.
 
Okay all interesting, when would such a son be born do you think? What would he be called and whom do you think he could marry?
 
Does a son by Catherine of Aragon and consequently no Protestantism mean there's no dissolution of the monasteries? How does that effect monarchical power/economic development/government finances and the like?
 
I wouldn't rule out some reform down the line although initially an early break with Rome is unlikely if Henry gains an early son from Catherine of Aragon.

Thomas More as Chancellor was prosecuting plenty of people for heresy during his term before his fall from grace over the King's great matter which suggests religious reform and teachings were spreading to England from the continent.
Though many areas of the country remained Catholic well into Elizabeth's reign.

Also at the time and since there is a fairly common view that Henry fell in love with Anne Boleyn -the need for an heir male made him more desperate to end his first marriage but doesn't rule out him still wanting to remarry for love when stuck with an ageing Queen.

Even if Catherine produced a son there is nothing to stop Henry still falling for her or someone else who might like Anne be unwilling to become his mistress and if Catherine dies on schedule there is nothing to prevent Henry from marrying again to a woman who might have Protestant leanings which would influence the King and his court.

Even some of the Royal brides suggested as a second wife (during his annulment attempts) like Renee of France would later convert to Protestantism.

Also how Henry's son is educated will dictate England's future depending on whether he grows up to become an unswerving Roman Catholic, a more tolerant Catholic or someone tolerant and interested in aspects of church reform.
There was much in Luther and his followers teachings that attracted rulers - principally control and freedom from Rome.
Henry's main alliances throughout his reign alternated between Spain and France depending on his personal aims (he felt betrayed by his father in law during the early reign which lead to his first switch)

By the 1530's Catherine of Aragon is sick and dying and Henry is hunting for a wife for the teenaged Prince of Wales - there are no real candidates on the Spanish/Austrian side (Catherine's youngest nieces are a bit old for their cousin and her great nieces are way to young)

On the French side - Renee of France (sister in law of Francis I) was born in 1510 and a good match if Henry and Catherine's first born son had lived. In OTL Renee married quite late in 1528 and given politics I wouldn't have ruled out a dual betrothal in 1513 when Mary Tudor married Louis XII. Other possibilities are - Francis I's daughters - Charlotte (d1524), Madeleine (wife of James IV), and Margaret.

If Henry looks for alliances elsewhere (though English Royal Marriages had tended to stick with the Iberian and French Kingdoms) there is a strong chance his son might end up with a pro-protestant German princess.
 
Add in the fact that monasteries were a very mixed bag, and some monastic closures were ongoing from (IIRC) before the Act of Supremacy.

The lands, buildings and wealth of monasteries is phenomenal, and the temptation to close a few more and use the proceeds to influence the workings of factions at court is going to be strong. We might not see something as sweeping as the Dissolution, but I would be surprised if there weren't substantial monastic closures and sell-offs at some stage.
 
Why not just have Henry, Duke of Cornwall survive past infancy?

If he does survive, I think Henry, Duke of Cornwall might marry Renee of France - why it is because Mary, Queen of France did marry Louis, I think the marriage with Charles and the OTL Mary Tudor of Suffolk will push though.
 
If he does survive, I think Henry, Duke of Cornwall might marry Renee of France - why it is because Mary, Queen of France did marry Louis, I think the marriage with Charles and the OTL Mary Tudor of Suffolk will push though.

Oh and what makes you think this?
 
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