What If Henry VIII’s son with Catherine of Aragon had lived?
A revisioning of the world, the Church, and Henry VIII, if his first son had lived.
During my first year in the M.Div. program my History II (Reformation -1990ish) Professor gave us a really fun final assignment. Pick a topic from the course, and write an alternative history. Imagination greatly encouraged.
I chose: What if Henry VIII’s son with Catherine of Aragon - Henry Tudor, Duke of Cornwall - had lived?
The Facts
Henry VIII is infamously known for his numerous marriages that typically ended in divorce or his lady-love losing everything from the neck up. Perhaps he came with a warning label for future Mrs. VIII’s. Henry was desperate for a son to carry on the Tudor name and dynasty. His wives included Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr.
His first wife, Catherine of Aragon, gave birth to a son who tragically died seven weeks later. As the years went on Henry became infatuated with their lack of a male heir and another woman at court, Anne Boleyn.
Despite being called the Defender of the Faith by the Pope in his younger years, Henry became the defender of his genetic line instead causing a great rift between England and Rome, dubbed the King’s Great Matter. This resulted in the Church of England - a decidedly Catholic approach to church with the re-routing of funds to the crown, instead of Rome.
Although his wife count increased he had only one son, Edward VI, who died shortly after he became King due to tuberculosis. This paved the way for Henry’s daughters to ascend to the throne after a short-lived attempt by a distant cousin caused Mary to have her beheaded. The apple really does not fall far from the tree.
But what if Henry VIII’s son with Catherine of Aragon - Henry Tudor, Duke of Cornwall - had lived?
Now that you know the facts, would you like to see what I came up with purely based on the simple question “What If?”
What happens to England if there is no Church of England?
Does the Pentecostal movement happen in 1906 anyway?
What does that mean for “New Britain”?
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