WI: Katherine of Aragon died in 1518?

The question is in the title. What if, after giving birth to a daughter in 1518, she died due to complications after the birth. And, to add onto everything, let's say that her daughter lives instead (let's say that the baby girl is called Katherine in honour of her dead mother). So, Henry VIII now has two daughters and no wife. Who does Henry VIII marry? What happens to Princess Mary and Katherine?

Catherine_of_Aragon_with_a_monkey_Horenbout-267x300.jpg
 
The question is in the title. What if, after giving birth to a daughter in 1518, she died due to complications after the birth. And, to add onto everything, let's say that her daughter lives instead (let's say that the baby girl is called Katherine in honour of her dead mother). So, Henry VIII now has two daughters and no wife. Who does Henry VIII marry? What happens to Princess Mary and Katherine?

Catherine_of_Aragon_with_a_monkey_Horenbout-267x300.jpg

Eleonore of Austria will be widowed in 3 years, if Henry's willing to wait. Then theres the Infantas Isabel and Beatriz of Portugal (OTL Empress and duchess of Savoy). Catherine of Austria and Renée de France are both too young. My money's on Isabel if she brings anything like the crazy dowry she did OTL. A curious outfielder may be Elisabeth of Denmark, OTL Electress of Brandenburg.
 
The question is in the title. What if, after giving birth to a daughter in 1518, she died due to complications after the birth. And, to add onto everything, let's say that her daughter lives instead (let's say that the baby girl is called Catherine in honour of her dead mother). So, Henry VIII now has two daughters and no wife. Who does Henry VIII marry? What happens to Princess Mary and Catherine?

As the youngest and fittest godparent of both Princess Mary and Catherine, Agnes Howard, Duchess of Norfolk would be requested to

Like he did with Anne Boleyn in 1923, Henry would most likely marry, Elizabeth Blount, known as Bessie, the lady in waiting to Catherine of Aragon before AB. Queen Bessie would then give Henry what he wanted in 15 June 1519, when she gives birth to legitimate son, Henry, Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall (OTL illegitimate, Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset)

Eleonore of Austria will be widowed in 3 years, if Henry's willing to wait. Then theres the Infantas Isabel and Beatriz of Portugal (OTL Empress and duchess of Savoy). Catherine of Austria and Renée de France are both too young. My money's on Isabel if she brings anything like the crazy dowry she did OTL. A curious outfielder may be Elisabeth of Denmark, OTL Electress of Brandenburg.

Henry was never really interested in marring foreign women. After Catherine of Aragon the last foreign wife was his fourth, Anne of Cleves, who he divorced after only 6 MONTHS due to her being ugly, so it is unlikely for him to be forming doomed alliance again soon.
 
The question is in the title. What if, after giving birth to a daughter in 1518, she died due to complications after the birth. And, to add onto everything, let's say that her daughter lives instead (let's say that the baby girl is called Katherine in honour of her dead mother). So, Henry VIII now has two daughters and no wife. Who does Henry VIII marry? What happens to Princess Mary and Katherine?

Catherine_of_Aragon_with_a_monkey_Horenbout-267x300.jpg

Probably the best solution for all considered, including Catherine.

Catherine would die content as wife and Queen, her daughters would be legitimate and have succession rights after any legitimate son that Henry produced from a later marriage. They would probably be married off to major European princes/Kings and have the best chance of living a fulfilling life.

Wolsey would be starting negotiations for a new marriage within days of Queen Catherine's death.
 
As the youngest and fittest godparent of both Princess Mary and Catherine, Agnes Howard, Duchess of Norfolk would be requested to

Like he did with Anne Boleyn in 1923, Henry would most likely marry, Elizabeth Blount, known as Bessie, the lady in waiting to Catherine of Aragon before AB. Queen Bessie would then give Henry what he wanted in 15 June 1519, when she gives birth to legitimate son, Henry, Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall (OTL illegitimate, Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset)



Henry was never really interested in marring foreign women. After Catherine of Aragon the last foreign wife was his fourth, Anne of Cleves, who he divorced after only 6 MONTHS due to her being ugly, so it is unlikely for him to be forming doomed alliance again soon.

Henry was never going to marry Bessie Blount.

Wolsey would have been making arrangements for a new foreign marriage for Henry within days of Catherine's death.

I agree with Jonas that the most likely candidate would be Catherine's niece Isabella of Portugal.

Two outside candidates, due to their respective ages, might be Renee of Britanny and Maria, sister of Charles V. If Henry had at least one living son, I might say that he might be prepared to wait a little but I think the pressure to marry and produce a son would have been so great he would have had to marry within 6 months to a year of Catherine's death.
 
Henry was never going to marry Bessie Blount.

Wolsey would have been making arrangements for a new foreign marriage for Henry within days of Catherine's death.

Two outside candidates, due to their respective ages, might be Renee of Britanny and Maria, sister of Charles V. If Henry had at least one living son, I might say that he might be prepared to wait a little but I think the pressure to marry and produce a son would have been so great he would have had to marry within 6 months to a year of Catherine's death.

Why not, she not the worse. Thomas Wolsey would do as the King said, he knew how likely it was to find your neck on the block.

Elizabeth Stafford, the eldest daughter of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham is eligible to be married.
So is his other mistress Mary Boleyn.

Isabella of Portugal is betrothed to her cousin Charles V, which had already been proposed by the parliaments of both Castile and Aragon and Charles agreed to marry the Infanta Isabella purely out of political reasons as he needed a member of the dynasty to govern Spain, Castile and Aragon during his absences.

Renee of Britanny would lead to Britain being allied with France and fighting against the Holy Roman Empire. While Maria has been married to King Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia, since. 1515
 
Why not, she not the worse. Thomas Wolsey would do as the King said, he knew how likely it was to find your neck on the block.

Elizabeth Stafford, the eldest daughter of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham is eligible to be married.
So is his other mistress Mary Boleyn.

Isabella of Portugal is betrothed to her cousin Charles V, which had already been proposed by the parliaments of both Castile and Aragon and Charles agreed to marry the Infanta Isabella purely out of political reasons as he needed a member of the dynasty to govern Spain, Castile and Aragon during his absences.

Renee of Britanny would lead to Britain being allied with France and fighting against the Holy Roman Empire. While Maria has been married to King Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia, since. 1515

You are viewing Henry VII and assuming that he was the same person in 1519 as he was in 1530 or 1543. He wasn’t.

You’ve also misunderstood the relationship between Henry and Cardinal Wolsey. In 1519, Henry was still heavily influenced (some might say covertly controlled) by Cardinal Wolsey. Wolsey knew there was no benefit to England of the King marrying an English commoner.

Henry was not a lovesick schoolboy over his mistresses before Anne Boleyn; he never entertained the prospect of marrying any of them, they were short fun dalliances. His mistresses were pensioned off as soon as he tired of them, which was rather quick. Anne obviously was different but you cannot just assume that because she had the determination and ambition to hold out to achieve a higher goal, that the likes of Bessie Blount would do likewise or that Henry would behave the same way towards such a woman. Anne benefited greatly from Henry’s increasing conviction that his marriage was cursed, this would be absent in the aftermath of Catherine’s death.

Isabella of Portugal did not marry Charles V until 1526. She was 17 in 1520, a perfect candidate for a widowed Henry.

For much of the time prior to 1526, Charles V was actually betrothed to Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VII and Catherine of Aragon. Henry was very angry when Charles broke off the betrothal and it killed the dream Catherine had that her daughter and nephew would one day rule a great Imperial nation including Spain, England and the Holy Roman Empire. Betrothals were regularly broken in this era. It’s entirely possible and realistic to think in 1518/1519 that Isabella’s father would look to the readily available English king as a prospective bridegroom for his daughter. He had other younger daughters for Charles, if he should break his betrothal to Mary Tudor.
Maria of Austria was married to the King of Hungary by proxy. She did not move to Hungary until 1521. The precedent of Anne of Brittany’s marriage to Maria’s grandfather Maximilian I could have led that marriage to be dissolved by the Pope if the Emperor considered that an English marriage was more important.

A matrimonial alliance with France in 1519/1520 would have coincided with the ceremonial meeting of the Field of the Cloth of Gold. The problem remains Renee’s age.
 
I would be looking at Eleanor of Austria and her sister Mary. Eleanor was married in the middle of the year so I would consider her marrying Henry VIII a possibility. In the OTL two of Charles' sisters ended up marrying into the House of Aviz. You would still keep the alliance if one of Eleanor's sisters ended up marrying King Manuel's heir.

Agree about Catherine of Aragon dying in childbirth being the best thing for her and her children.
 
Katherine of Aragon

Her earlier death means that Henry won't have to go through a nasty divorce in order to remarry. And a male heir from a second marriage perhaps changes the course of the English Reformation..
 
Ok, so, based on the discussion and my own basic reasoning, I have come up with a basic 20 yr timeline for this POD. Make suggestions where needed.

1518: Katherine of Aragon gives birth to a healthy girl that seems to be strong. A few hours after the birth, however, Katherine begins to bleed heavily and is dead by noon the following day. In memory of her mother the new princess is named Katherine and sent to Hatfield to be reared by her household. Distraught, Henry VIII mourns for his Queen deeply and makes grand statements of never loving another woman again. He also send his now pregnant mistress Elizabeth Blount off to the country to have his bastard.

1519: Thomas Wolsey bring the now adjusted King a list of brides that he could marry, including Isabella and Beatrice of Portugal, Renee of France, Catherine of Austria and Hedwig Jagiellon. While undecided at the moment, it was obvious that Isabella was a very attractive choice as she was reportedly very beautiful and very well dowered. In other news, Elizabeth Blount gives birth to a son that is named Henry Fitzroy.

1520: Henry VIII is seen at court with another young woman by the name of Mary Boleyn. One month later Lady Boleyn is safely married to William Carey. Three months later the affair seems to be over. Other than that, the possible brides of Hedwig Jagiellon and Catherine of Austria were cut from the list as the sketches that are brought to court are not to the Kings liking.

1521: The King finally officially proposes marriage to Isabella of Portugal as she is the best candidate out of the list given to him. The proposal is accepted and the court is madde ready for her arrival in the next year or so. A papal dispension is asked for and readily gotten.

1522: Isabella of Portugal is brought to England is regal splendor and is met with muted enthusiasm by the native peoples, who think she is very pretty but not the Queen Katherine they are used to. Henry VIII has the same reaction at first, but after a month announces that the Queen is the most 'beauteous person of looks and character'. When the royal children are brought to meet their stepmother, there is a sweet surprise when Princess Katherine runs to the Queen and yells "I now have a mother".

1523: Henry Fitzroy is brought to the court and given the title of Duke of Richmond. The young child is given many honours and the King is pleased that the Queen takes so easily to the child. There is much added rejoicing when the Queen is obviously pregnant. A minor scandal is caused when a young woman named Anne Boleyn is found to have been secretly betrothed to Henry Percy. After a tear-filled plea to the King and much support from the Queen, the young noblewoman is married at the King's expense to Lord Percy and they are given a manor in the North.

1524: Queen Isabella gives birth to a baby boy by the name of Henry who unfotunately lives only seventy days. But that is not the only misfortune too befall the royal family. Princess Mary is left without a fiance after the betrothal is broken by Charles V in favour of a secret betrothal and marriage to Renee of France, who comes with the promise of peace with France.

1525: With the betrothal between Charles V and Princess Mary broken, Henry VIII looks for a new betrothal for his duaghter. He sends initial proposals to Scotland and France. The year also culminates with a second pregnancy announcement by the Queen, which brings joy to the King. In addition to this, Lady Anne Percy (nee Boleyn) gives birth to her first and only child, a boy that is named George Percy.

1526: The pregnancy of Queen Isabella ends with a live baby girl that is named Elizabeth and sent to Hatfield, while a now very lively Princess Katherine is sent to a larger castle closer to London, like what has happened with her sister. Henry VIII recieves a very strong 'maybe' from France in terms of the betrothal between Princess Mary and one of the French Princes but there is an enthusiastic 'YES' from James V, who thinks that he could end up a ruler of all of Brittain. Charles V has his first child and son when Empress Renee gives birth to Infante Philip.

1527: Queen Isabella suffers a miscarriage. Princess Mary is officially betrothed to James V and the Prince Henri of France is betrothed to Princess Katherine. A betrothal between Princess Elizabeth and Infante Philip is broached. King Francis loses his wife when she takes to a disease and dies. Another Habsburg Infante is born to Charles V in the form of Infante Charles.

1528: Princess Mary is almost killed when the carriage she is in to get to court is accidentally set on fire with her inside it. She comes out with no burns visable and many count this as a miracle. Henry VIII sends a man named Thomas Henserson to the tower for this and everyone feels safer. As the anniversary of Queen Katherine's death draws closer, the Princesses Mary and Katherine are brought to court and go through many ceremonies that detail how much everyone misses Queen Katherine, which is quite uncomfortable for the living Queen Isabella.

1529: Queen Isabella is proud when, after almost seven years of trying she gives birth to a healthy son and heir, who is named Edward and given the title Prince of Wales immediately. In the wake of the Prince's birth, plans are made to immediately send the Princess Mary to Scotland to marry her betrothed husband James V. Charles V enjoys his first daughter's birth, a Infanta who is named Maria.

1530: Henry VIII has emotional farewell with his precious Mary, who leaves for Scotland on her 14th birthday. To console him, Queen Isabella gives birth to a baby boy that is named Henry and lives until Christmas, when he dies. Princess Katherine, meanwhile, is shocked when there is a proposal for her hand by none other than the aging King Francis, who has married his second son to Catherine de Medici and wants to have a young, pretty wife to compete with his sons young, not-so-pretty wife.

1531: Queen Isabella gives birth to a second daughter, who is named Margaret and sent to live with her sister at Hatfield. Henry VIII is sent the news that he is a Grandfather, to a beautiful baby girl that is named Katherine in honour of her dead Grandmother.

1532: Princess Katherine is sent to live with her new husband, the French King. While kind and caring towards his teenage bride, the King pushes for a 'full' relationship and the Princess seems to grow sadder everyday at court. Henry Percy dies of fod poisoning and Anne Percy (nee Boleyn) is left a wealthy, young widow. At the court she is approached by Charles Brandon, who thinks that the lonely widow will be an easy conquest. She is not.

1533: Henry VIII approaches Lady Anne Percy (nee Boleyn) to be one of his many mistresses. She pointedly says that she is not her sister and that it takes more than shiny gifts and worthless words. Henry VIII is hooked. Other than that, Queen Mary of Scotland gives birth to a son that is named James for his father. Queen Katherine of France gives birth to a daughter that is named Claude for the previous Queen of France. Charles V has another daughter by Empress Renee by the name of Eleanor.

1534: Lady Anne Percy (nee Boleyn) is given a set of apartments at court near the King's own, but there is no doubt that she is not doing anything inappropriate, as her sister-in-law is a every meeting between the two. Queen Isabella gives birth to her final child, a son that is named Henry, Duke of York. She dies after three weeks in confinment. Queen Mary of Scotland gives birth to a son named Alexander. Her daughter Katherine dies.

1535: Henry VIII approaches the Pope for dispension to marry Lady Anne Percy (nee Boleyn). Before the dispension comes through, Lady Anne Percy (nee Boleyn) dies from the Sweat, which ravages the country and also takes Princess Margaret.

1536: Henry VIII proposes to marry Princess Madeline, who is thrilled to marry the most handsome King in Christdom. Granted, the other main options are her Father and an aging man with an disproportinate jaw. The Pope is given a request for a dispension. Queen Katherine of France gives birth to a son named Louis. Prince Francis dies. Empress Renee gives birth to her final child, a daughter that is named Catherine

1537: Henry VIII awaits his bride to come to him and give him yet more heirs. In the mean time a young woman named Jane Seymour is his main mistress, later giving birth to a son named Edmund Fitzroy. She becomes a nun to pay penience for her sins.

1538: Henry VIII welcomes his third wife, the charming and delicate Madeline de Valois. She charms the court is proud when her daughter-in-law Queen Mary of Scotland names her lattest daughter Madeline in her honour. Princess Elizabeth is betrothed fully to Infante Philip. Henry Fitzroy dies of consumption.
 
Thomas Henserson

Someone you know? ;)


1530: Henry VIII has emotional farewell with his precious Mary, who leaves for Scotland on her 14th birthday. To console him, Queen Isabella gives birth to a baby boy that is named Henry and lives until Christmas, when he dies. Princess Katherine, meanwhile, is shocked when there is a proposal for her hand by none other than the aging King Francis, who has married his second son to Catherine de Medici and wants to have a young, pretty wife to compete with his sons young, not-so-pretty wife.
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1532: Princess Katherine is sent to live with her new husband, the French King. While kind and caring towards his teenage bride, the King pushes for a 'full' relationship and the Princess seems to grow sadder everyday at court.

Hold up, hold up, Imma let you finish, but even Kings probably wouldn't go round having sex with their fourteen year old wives. Yes, Francois's son married Catherine de Medicis when she was fourteen in *1533*, but their first child wasn't born for another eleven years, and their produced issue quite regularly after that, which leads us to the conclusion that there was relative abstinence for the first decade, particularly the period when she was too young to safely bear children. If Francios Ier wants a young, hot wife (and who wouldn't, in his position?) then, given his age, he'd see more profit from marrying a girl about five years older than Princess Katherine, so he can maximise both the amount of children he can father and the amount of sex he can enjoy. Likewise, James IV married Margaret Tudor in 1502, when he was 29 and she was 13, but they didn't have their first child until 1507, and then continued to have kids almost every year. Therefore, it is likely that he waited until she had at least begun puberty before he deflowered her.

Anyway, maybe delay the births of Henry VIII's grandkids so that the crowned heads of Europe don't seem like a bunch of pedos:eek::p

I got confused with all the kids being born, so is this right?

Henry VIII
With K/Catherine of Aragon
- Mary, marries James V
- James, Duke of Rothesay​
- Prince Alexander, Duke of Ross or Whatever​
- Princess Katherine of Scotland (dead)​
- Princess Madeline of Scotland​
- Katherine, marries Francois Ier
- Louis, Duke of Ouathevaire​
- Princess Claude de France​
With Isabella of Portugal
- Henry, Duke of Cornwall (dead)
- Princess Elizabeth, marries Infante Philip
- Edward, Prince of Wales
- Princess Margaret
- Prince Henry, Duke of York
Bastards
- Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond (dead)
- Edmund Fitzroy
 
Someone you know? ;)

Hold up, hold up, Imma let you finish, but even Kings probably wouldn't go round having sex with their fourteen year old wives. Yes, Francois's son married Catherine de Medicis when she was fourteen in *1533*, but their first child wasn't born for another eleven years, and their produced issue quite regularly after that, which leads us to the conclusion that there was relative abstinence for the first decade, particularly the period when she was too young to safely bear children.

Your confusing modern morality with what was deemed acceptable in the 16th century.

Francois I probably wouldn't have seen an issue with sex with a 14 year old,
he married his first wife Claude when she was 14 and a half and just over a year later Claude gave birth to her first child.

Based on Catherine's wikipedia entry, she and Henri II consummated their marriage on their wedding night, which was witnessed by the King, as was French tradition.

Catherine's relationship with Henri was terrible, which explains why it may have taken her time to conceive.
 
Ok, so, based on the discussion and my own basic reasoning, I have come up with a basic 20 yr timeline for this POD. Make suggestions where needed.

1518: Katherine of Aragon gives birth to a healthy girl that seems to be strong. A few hours after the birth, however, Katherine begins to bleed heavily and is dead by noon the following day. In memory of her mother the new princess is named Katherine and sent to Hatfield to be reared by her household. Distraught, Henry VIII mourns for his Queen deeply and makes grand statements of never loving another woman again. He also send his now pregnant mistress Elizabeth Blount off to the country to have his bastard.

1519: Thomas Wolsey bring the now adjusted King a list of brides that he could marry, including Isabella and Beatrice of Portugal, Renee of France, Catherine of Austria and Hedwig Jagiellon. While undecided at the moment, it was obvious that Isabella was a very attractive choice as she was reportedly very beautiful and very well dowered. In other news, Elizabeth Blount gives birth to a son that is named Henry Fitzroy.

1520: Henry VIII is seen at court with another young woman by the name of Mary Boleyn. One month later Lady Boleyn is safely married to William Carey. Three months later the affair seems to be over. Other than that, the possible brides of Hedwig Jagiellon and Catherine of Austria were cut from the list as the sketches that are brought to court are not to the Kings liking.

1521: The King finally officially proposes marriage to Isabella of Portugal as she is the best candidate out of the list given to him. The proposal is accepted and the court is madde ready for her arrival in the next year or so. A papal dispension is asked for and readily gotten.

1522: Isabella of Portugal is brought to England is regal splendor and is met with muted enthusiasm by the native peoples, who think she is very pretty but not the Queen Katherine they are used to. Henry VIII has the same reaction at first, but after a month announces that the Queen is the most 'beauteous person of looks and character'. When the royal children are brought to meet their stepmother, there is a sweet surprise when Princess Katherine runs to the Queen and yells "I now have a mother".

1523: Henry Fitzroy is brought to the court and given the title of Duke of Richmond. The young child is given many honours and the King is pleased that the Queen takes so easily to the child. There is much added rejoicing when the Queen is obviously pregnant. A minor scandal is caused when a young woman named Anne Boleyn is found to have been secretly betrothed to Henry Percy. After a tear-filled plea to the King and much support from the Queen, the young noblewoman is married at the King's expense to Lord Percy and they are given a manor in the North.

1524: Queen Isabella gives birth to a baby boy by the name of Henry who unfotunately lives only seventy days. But that is not the only misfortune too befall the royal family. Princess Mary is left without a fiance after the betrothal is broken by Charles V in favour of a secret betrothal and marriage to Renee of France, who comes with the promise of peace with France.

1525: With the betrothal between Charles V and Princess Mary broken, Henry VIII looks for a new betrothal for his duaghter. He sends initial proposals to Scotland and France. The year also culminates with a second pregnancy announcement by the Queen, which brings joy to the King. In addition to this, Lady Anne Percy (nee Boleyn) gives birth to her first and only child, a boy that is named George Percy.

1526: The pregnancy of Queen Isabella ends with a live baby girl that is named Elizabeth and sent to Hatfield, while a now very lively Princess Katherine is sent to a larger castle closer to London, like what has happened with her sister. Henry VIII recieves a very strong 'maybe' from France in terms of the betrothal between Princess Mary and one of the French Princes but there is an enthusiastic 'YES' from James V, who thinks that he could end up a ruler of all of Brittain. Charles V has his first child and son when Empress Renee gives birth to Infante Philip.

1527: Queen Isabella suffers a miscarriage. Princess Mary is officially betrothed to James V and the Prince Henri of France is betrothed to Princess Katherine. A betrothal between Princess Elizabeth and Infante Philip is broached. King Francis loses his wife when she takes to a disease and dies. Another Habsburg Infante is born to Charles V in the form of Infante Charles.

1528: Princess Mary is almost killed when the carriage she is in to get to court is accidentally set on fire with her inside it. She comes out with no burns visable and many count this as a miracle. Henry VIII sends a man named Thomas Henserson to the tower for this and everyone feels safer. As the anniversary of Queen Katherine's death draws closer, the Princesses Mary and Katherine are brought to court and go through many ceremonies that detail how much everyone misses Queen Katherine, which is quite uncomfortable for the living Queen Isabella.

1529: Queen Isabella is proud when, after almost seven years of trying she gives birth to a healthy son and heir, who is named Edward and given the title Prince of Wales immediately. In the wake of the Prince's birth, plans are made to immediately send the Princess Mary to Scotland to marry her betrothed husband James V. Charles V enjoys his first daughter's birth, a Infanta who is named Maria.

1530: Henry VIII has emotional farewell with his precious Mary, who leaves for Scotland on her 14th birthday. To console him, Queen Isabella gives birth to a baby boy that is named Henry and lives until Christmas, when he dies. Princess Katherine, meanwhile, is shocked when there is a proposal for her hand by none other than the aging King Francis, who has married his second son to Catherine de Medici and wants to have a young, pretty wife to compete with his sons young, not-so-pretty wife.

1531: Queen Isabella gives birth to a second daughter, who is named Margaret and sent to live with her sister at Hatfield. Henry VIII is sent the news that he is a Grandfather, to a beautiful baby girl that is named Katherine in honour of her dead Grandmother.

1532: Princess Katherine is sent to live with her new husband, the French King. While kind and caring towards his teenage bride, the King pushes for a 'full' relationship and the Princess seems to grow sadder everyday at court. Henry Percy dies of fod poisoning and Anne Percy (nee Boleyn) is left a wealthy, young widow. At the court she is approached by Charles Brandon, who thinks that the lonely widow will be an easy conquest. She is not.

1533: Henry VIII approaches Lady Anne Percy (nee Boleyn) to be one of his many mistresses. She pointedly says that she is not her sister and that it takes more than shiny gifts and worthless words. Henry VIII is hooked. Other than that, Queen Mary of Scotland gives birth to a son that is named James for his father. Queen Katherine of France gives birth to a daughter that is named Claude for the previous Queen of France. Charles V has another daughter by Empress Renee by the name of Eleanor.

1534: Lady Anne Percy (nee Boleyn) is given a set of apartments at court near the King's own, but there is no doubt that she is not doing anything inappropriate, as her sister-in-law is a every meeting between the two. Queen Isabella gives birth to her final child, a son that is named Henry, Duke of York. She dies after three weeks in confinment. Queen Mary of Scotland gives birth to a son named Alexander. Her daughter Katherine dies.

1535: Henry VIII approaches the Pope for dispension to marry Lady Anne Percy (nee Boleyn). Before the dispension comes through, Lady Anne Percy (nee Boleyn) dies from the Sweat, which ravages the country and also takes Princess Margaret.

1536: Henry VIII proposes to marry Princess Madeline, who is thrilled to marry the most handsome King in Christdom. Granted, the other main options are her Father and an aging man with an disproportinate jaw. The Pope is given a request for a dispension. Queen Katherine of France gives birth to a son named Louis. Prince Francis dies. Empress Renee gives birth to her final child, a daughter that is named Catherine

1537: Henry VIII awaits his bride to come to him and give him yet more heirs. In the mean time a young woman named Jane Seymour is his main mistress, later giving birth to a son named Edmund Fitzroy. She becomes a nun to pay penience for her sins.

1538: Henry VIII welcomes his third wife, the charming and delicate Madeline de Valois. She charms the court is proud when her daughter-in-law Queen Mary of Scotland names her lattest daughter Madeline in her honour. Princess Elizabeth is betrothed fully to Infante Philip. Henry Fitzroy dies of consumption.

I find the inclusion of Anne Boleyn a bit tiresome and unnecessary but otherwise an interesting timeline.
 
A case in point, Margaret Beaufort was 12/13 when her hubby basically raped her and gave her his posthumous son, so Katharine's case is not entirely unique.

As to Miss Boleyn, now the Countess of Northumberland, it's a curious glimpse into what might've happened with a well-known character. That said, Wolsey would've done well to never refuse that petition of marriage for Henry Percy, betrothal or no. Though I do find it strange that Henry VIII didn't use the argument of a precontract/prior marriage for Anne. Although, in the movie, Anne of a Thousand Days, Cromwell recommends Henry use a different excuse to divorce her, since he "used that one [prohibited affinity, i.e. Elizabeth Howard/Mary Boleyn] last time".
 
Hey guys, thanks for the discussion. So what about the next ten years?

1539: Henry VIII begins to look for a bride for his eldest son. He sends feelers out to Spain for the hand of Infanta Maria. There is positive feedback, but he also sends feelers to Austria for one of the other princesses, either Elisabeth or Anna. There is a major movement, led by Lord George Boleyn, for a more remormed Catholic Church or possibly a seperate English Church. As Defender of the Faith, Henry VIII takes care of the movement and sends most of the Lords to the tower.

1540: Queen Madeline is saddened to see her stepchild, Prince Henry, die. The reason is unknown and many are sad to see the sweet child leave them. Princess Elizabeth is sent to Spain to live with her future husband and grow use to her new home. Henry VIII sends Thomas Wolsey to the Vatican to see if there is the possibility of a new Crusade. The answer is no.

1541: Prince James of Scotland dies. Queen Mary of Scotland miscarries twin boys. Queen Madeline finds herself pregnant for the first time. Henry VIII works to stamp out heresy in England. Empress Renee dies. Charles V looks for a new bride.

1542: Francis I of France dies, leaving France to King Henri II and his young widow happier than she has been in years. She gives birth to the couples last child, Princess Adelaide. But the worst news comes when there is a proposal to marry her to Charles V. She is terribly sad. Queen Madeline almost dies giving birth to Princess Anne.

1543: Prince Edward is married to the Infanta Maria of Spain and they were expecting their first child by the end of the year. Henry VIII watches them happily with Queen Madeline. Queen Mary of Scotland gives birth to her final child, Prince Henry. The marriage between Queen Dowager Katherine of France and Charles V is finalized. Infante Philip and Princess Elizabeth have their first and only child, Infante Charles, then Elizabeth dies.

1544: Henry VIII dies. Dowager Queen Madeline goes through the rituals of mourning. King Edward VI and Queen Maria (now refered to as Queen Mary) have their first child, a son that is named Henry in honour of the dead King. Empress Katherine gives birth to her newest child, a daughter that is named Joanna.

1545: Henri II of France welcomes his first child, a son that is named Francis, into the world. Edward VI welcomes a daughter that is named Isabel into the world. Queen Madeline shocks the court by marrying Lord George Percy. Queen Mary of Scotland is made a widow when James V dies in a battle skirmish.

1546: Infante Philip is married to Maria Manuela of Portugal. Charles V and Empress Katherine have their last child, a daughter that is named Luisa. Edward VI welcomes the Dowager Queen back to court and Madeline gives birth to a son that is named Henry.

1547: Edward VI loses his wife when Queen Mary dies giving birth to twin girls, who are actually quite strong and named Anne and Mary. His eyes roams to thew newly widowed Lady Catherine Culpeper (nee Howard) and they are married by the end of the year. Dowager Queen Madeline gives birth to her final child, a daughter that is named Claude.

1548: Infante Philip has his second child, a daughter that is named Isabella. King Edward VI and Queen Catherine have their only child when she gives birth to Princess Elizabeth. Alexander I of Scotland is betrothed to Infanta Catherine of Spain. Dowager Queen Madeline dies.
 
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