What if Queen Catherine Howard becomes pregnant with King Henry VIII's child and delivers a healthy baby boy, early in the year 1541? Because I have very little imagination, let's also call the child Henry, Duke of York.
I'm asking about Catherine Howard specifically because I'm thinking about what will happen when her adultery with Thomas Culpeper and possible pre-existing marriage precontract with Francis Dereham is exposed. As a wife who's given Henry VIII a second son, does he still have her executed? Does he still declare their marriage invalid? Can he afford to declare a son and possible heir to be illegitimate?