alternatehistory.com

Henry was the younger brother of King Joao III and, as a younger son, he was not expected to succeed to the Portuguese throne. He served as regent for his grand-nephew, king Sebastiao I, after 1557, and then succeeded him as king after the disastrous Battle of Alcacer-Quibir in 1578. Henry renounced his clerical offices and sought to take a bride for the continuation of the Avis dynasty, but Pope Gregory XIII, affiliated with the Habsburgs, did not release him from his vows. The Cardinal-King died without having appointed a Council of Regency to choose a successor. One of the closest dynastic claimants was King Philippe II of Spain who, in November 1580, sent the Duke of Alba to claim Portugal by force. Lisbon soon fell, and Philip was elected King of Portugal on condition that the kingdom and its overseas territories would not become Spanish provinces.
WI the Pope had released him from his vows and Henry got married and had issue?
How is this altering History? Any thoughts???
Top