Author: Sarah Stook. Sarah is a writer for Elections Daily, The Mallard and other publications. She enjoys history, reading and fashion.

History

On the 1st of January 1511, Catherine of Aragon gave birth to a son. Henry VIII was thrilled, as was his wife and their court. Named the Duke of Cornwall, he was the subject of celebrations across the land. Unfortunately, the little prince died very suddenly on the 22nd of February of that year. His parents were distraught. Whilst Catherine would go on to have a daughter named Mary in 1516, no sons were born. King Henry was soon questioning whether the Lord was punishing him for marrying his brother’s widow. Soon, Henry was fighting for an annulment on the grounds that his marriage to Catherine was against The Bible. When the Catholic Church wouldn’t give in, he divorced Catherine and married a young noblewoman named Anne Boleyn. We all know how it goes from there.

What would have happened though if Henry, Duke of Cornwall had lived? Not just for a few more years, but until adulthood. This is the alternate history of what would have happened if Catherine of Aragon had borne a healthy son.

An Alternate History

Henry, Duke of Cornwall was born on the 1st January 1511 at Richmond Palace. He was the first living child and only son of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. His parents were delighted at the birth of a healthy son. An unknown courtier wrote a letter to a sibling, in which he said:

‘Our Kingdom was blessed with a little prince today. Her Majesty Queen Catherine bore a son early this morning, and he is said to be healthy. His Majesty the King’s cheers could be heard all throughout the palace [Richmond] and all were thrilled to hear of the news that our kingdom has an heir. They say that the Queen is rather tired but is otherwise in fair health. There has been an urgent dispatch to Scotland so that His Majesty King James and his wife Margaret, who you will know as the aunt of the newborn. He is to be named Henry after his father. They will christen him in four days hence. God Save the King.’

The christening was held on the 5th of January in an elaborate ceremony. As Catherine was still in confinement, her sister-in-law Margaret Tudor acted in her stead. The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke for over an hour. As the young prince did not fuss, it was seen as a sign that he would be a holy man. The child was christened Henry, Duke of Cornwall.

Henry was initially raised at Richmond Palace by Elizabeth Poyntz, whose true identity is unknown to history. He was doted on by his parents and was said to be nearly identical to his father. He also shared the red hair of his parents. As he grew, Henry was moved to the care of Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury at Ludlow Palace.

Like many other royal children at the time, Henry received a fine education. An ambassador from the Spanish court observed that a five-year-old Henry was learning ‘Latin, Spanish, French, arithmetic, literature, grammar, history, philosophy, music, scripture, geography and finance.’ Henry was considered a bright boy who loved to learn, and who delighted in speaking Spanish with his mother and recalling history with his father.

Catherine lost two more unnamed sons in 1513 and 1514 before giving birth to her and Henry’s final child, Mary, in November 1516. Five years older than his sister, Prince Henry developed a protective instinct over her. It is said that he immediately climbed onto his mother’s bed when he was allowed to and wrapped his arm around the young princess. Mary, for her part, was said to idolise and adore her older brother. As a child, she wrote that ‘Hal will be a fine and good king like Papa.’

Henry was regarded as a relatively handsome youth who inherited both of his parents’ personality traits. His aunt Mary, Duchess of Suffolk, regarded him as ‘merry, bright young man who is nevertheless prone to fits of temper when he is displeased.’ An unnamed page said that he was ‘a firm but fair master to all.’ Sources suggest that Henry was interested in women, though not to the extent of previous kings, developing a flirtation with several young women at court. His mother was displeased with this, though accepted that a prince would likely have his head turned. She nevertheless pleaded with him in a 1528 letter to ‘remember the teachings of the church and be a kind and loving husband to his future wife, and to not discredit her through open cruelty.’

It is unknown when Henry discovered his father’s affair with Anne Boleyn, but he is said to have disliked her and her affinity for reform. Henry took his mother’s side in religious matters and was a devout Catholic with a dislike of the rise in Protestantism. When Anne was presented to Henry at court, he is said to have left her furious by a ‘deliberate snub.’ He had more affection for his father’s other main mistress in later years, Jane Seymour, a quiet woman who treated his mother with respect. When Anne Boleyn was married off to a newly widowed Sir Thomas Wyatt in 1528, Henry was said to be ‘jubilant’ at the news.

Henry’s own marriage had been discussed for some time. Catherine of Aragon had pushed hard for a Spanish match between Henry and her niece Catherine of Austria but was deeply offended when her sister Juana married Catherine to John III of Portugal in 1525. Thomas Wolsey suggested a match with France. Catherine was set against this as France was the natural enemy of her native Spain. Unfortunately for her, King Henry agreed with Cardinal Wolsey. After much negotiation, Henry was betrothed to Renée of France. Meanwhile, several matches were in the works for Mary. Henry was interested in a match in Germany, particularly Phillip, Duke of Palatinate-Neuburg, but Catherine opposed a Protestant union. The King acquiesced to his wife on the issue of their daughter’s marriage. Don Luis of Portugal was invited to visit and soon became interested in Mary. Mary’s attraction was mutual. King Henry agreed to the match, as did Luis’ brother John of Portugal.

Prince Henry married Renée of France and Princess Mary married Don Luis of Portugal in a double ceremony on the 15th of August 1527.

A few days later, a tearful Mary left for Portugal with Don Luis. She would never see her family again.

In England, the marriage of Henry and Renée began on a relatively positive note. Whilst they did not show the immediate adoration seen with the likes of Edward I and Eleanor of Castile or Richard II and Anne of Bohemia, the two found themselves to be friendly at least. Henry visited Renée’s bedchamber with regularity, though courtiers at the time noted that he also spent time flirting with beautiful young noblewomen. For her part, Renée had grown up in the more relaxed atmosphere of the French court and was accepting of her husband’s flirtations.

1527 turned into 1528, then into 1529. The fact that Renée was not pregnant deeply worried many in the English court, not least the young princess herself. An embarrassed Renée talked with her mother-in-law Catherine, who was concerned that the two were not doing things correctly. It was established that they were. The court became concerned that Renée was infertile.

Meanwhile, in Portugal, Luis became Duke of Beja upon his marriage. The couple were based just outside of Lisbon, where the new duchess was well-received. The Duke and Duchess were known as supporters of the arts and literature. They also bonded over their faith and were praised by contemporaries for their devotion to the Catholic Church. Mary fell pregnant in the spring of 1528. She gave birth to a daughter named Katerina (Catherine) in December of that year.

Mary was thrilled, and her family sent the new child many gifts. Unfortunately, Prince Henry and Renée were still yet to bear children. The fault was placed on Renée, especially after the events of 1530. Henry allegedly had an affair with a noblewoman who fell pregnant and gave birth to a son. For his part, Henry did not acknowledge the boy as he did not believe he was the father. Court gossip raged, and Renée was deeply upset.

Renée felt pressure again when Mary had a son named Manuel in November 1530. By this time, courtiers were wondering about an annulment on the grounds of consanguinity. Doing so, however, would risk war with France.

Soon after, however, Renée fell pregnant. The court rejoiced and in August 1533, she finally gave birth.

To a daughter.

Celebrations were subdued. Thomas Cromwell recorded that:

‘His Majesty was deeply unhappy that he had not been provided with a grandson. Whilst Good Queen Catherine was pleased with the birth of a healthy child, His Majesty was not so happy. He flew into a rage when presented with a congratulatory letter from the King of Spain with emphasis on the word ‘Princess.’ His screams terrified several maids, and he even threw a tray at a footman. Not even the help of his Good Queen could soothe his tempers. Princess Renée burst into tears upon hearing.”

The child was named Princess Elizabeth after Henry VIII’s beloved mother. Prince Henry took the view of his mother that the birth of a healthy daughter showed the promise of a son one day. 

Princess Renée rose to the challenge. She invited her husband to her bed as soon as she was able. Within several months, Renée was pregnant once again. Mary was also pregnant again.

Mary gave birth to a son named Miguel in May 1534.

Renée gave birth to a son and heir, also named Henry, in September 1534. The kingdom was delighted and celebrated the child eagerly. Renée was, however, aware of her status. A lady-in-waiting reported that Renée was ‘anxious’ to get back to the marital bed once her confinement was over so that she may have another child.

Things were peaceful for the next couple of years, but this was not to last. On the 7th of January 1536, Catherine of Aragon died. She was widely and sincerely mourned by the country, as she had been beloved by the people for her kindness. Henry and his children were heartbroken. Cromwell reported that he’d never seen a man ‘as despairing’ as King Henry upon Catherine’s death.

As the country mourned Catherine, things got worse. An epidemic of smallpox broke out across the nation. Prince Henry and Princess Elizabeth both fell desperately ill. Whilst most of the court fled for the country, Renée stayed behind to nurse them. Elizabeth died first in March 1536, not yet three years old. The slightly healthier Henry clung on for two more weeks before dying.

Prince Henry’s heirs were dead. He refused to be seen by anyone, including his father. Doctors worried about his mental state, with one confessing that he felt as though the prince was ‘possessed by the Devil.’ Renée arrived back and encouraged a despondent Henry that they needed more children.

Meanwhile, King Henry was worried. He only had one son, and that son was now childless. Henry met with his advisors and stated his belief that he needed another wife. Negotiations were quickly made. Christina of Milan, who had been widowed the previous year, was a popular choice, but she did not wish to leave the continent.

He eventually landed on Anna of Lorraine, in order to solidify alliances with the German states. Despite mourning for Catherine, Henry was eager to marry quickly. That being said, the King of Spain was not impressed with the idea of Henry not waiting at least a year. Henry acquiesced, especially when Renée announced that she was pregnant again.

Renée gave birth to a son named Edward in January 1537. Three days later, Anna of Lorraine arrived in England. She was fourteen, younger than her stepson. King Henry treated Anna kindly, but observed that ‘Anna was not as intelligent, nor as popular as Catherine.’ By this point, historians widely believe that King Henry was impotent. He and Anna never had children.

Anna formed a good relationship with Henry and often wrote to Mary, who was once again pregnant after a miscarriage. Mary gave birth to a daughter named Maria.

Meanwhile, Renée has started to become interested in Protestant ideals. She clandestinely wrote to Protestant figures on the continent, using loyal servants to smuggle letters written in secret. With both her husband and son devoted to the Catholic Church, Renée decided to impose these ideals on her son by hiring sympathetic governesses and tutors as he grew older.

Henry VIII died on the 28th of January 1547, leaving his son Henry as Henry IX. Anna was given a generous pension and a castle to live in.

Henry IX and Renée began to work on an ambitious project- uniting England and Scotland. Mary, Queen of Scots was only five years younger than Prince Edward and was a Catholic. Their union could bring the crowns together. Unfortunately for them, the French were hoping to have Mary marry their heir, the Dauphin Francis. Both the French and English fought hard for Mary’s hand, but Henry and Renée won out in the end. Edward and Mary would marry in 1558.

Plans were drawn up so that if Edward died, Henry’s heir would be his eldest nephew, Mary’s son Manuel.

Princess Mary, now Mary, Duchess of Beja, died on the 17th of November 1558. She was widely mourned in Portugal and England. Her son Manuel would become King of Portugal upon his cousin Sebastian in 1578.

In December 1558, Prince Edward and Mary, Queen of Scots married. The two young people enjoyed a loving relationship from the beginning. Scotland and England remained technically separate, but their union was becoming ever closer. There was, however, one obstacle. Edward remained secretly devoted to Protestantism whilst Mary was a devout Catholic.

Mary fell pregnant quickly. A daughter named Elizabeth was born in October 1559. She had another daughter named Catherine in 1561 and an heir named Edward in 1562, but both died young. She fell pregnant again in late 1565.

Meanwhile, Henry IX had fallen dangerously ill. Doctors worked tirelessly through the days and nights but it soon became clear that Henry was dying. Henry IX died on the 12th of February 1566. His son was now Edward VI.

Once the funeral was done and his new son, James, was born, Henry did two things. Firstly, he merged the crowns of Scotland and England over a century before real life.

Secondly, he converted to Protestantism.

Mary was furious. She refused to share Edward’s bed and let him see the children but was overruled on the last point. As a result of Renée’s groundwork, there were a number of Protestants in high positions. The country became divided, particularly between the Catholic north and the Protestant south.

The story was only just beginning.