WI: Henry VIII had more illegitimate children

[Emperor Lucas I]

OTL, Henry VIII had as many problems with fathering illegitimate childre as with procreation within marriage. Only one son was acknowledged - Henry Fitzroy, known from his bad health, resulting in his demise in 1533. Henry was so desperate for a male heir, that he even considered marriage between him and his half-sistem Mary, in order to secure his claim to the throne.

However, what if Henry will be much more "effective" is siring sons and daughters outside of marriage? How different will be "The King Great Matter", assuming that there is a few healthy, illegitimate sons running around?

 

[Happiness]

He can has one more son with Bessy Blount and one with Mary Boleyn. If Henry Fritzoy died again in 1536, Henry still will be happy with the other two and he will arrange their marriages, from which he will has grandchildren.

 

[AkhenatenOrRamses]

Assuming we don't have too many butterflies going around and Edward VI still dies without having issue, any illegitimate sons, assuming they were raised Protestant, will make for much stronger challengers to the Catholic Mary than Lady Jane Grey did in OTL. The Protestant nobles would easily prefer a son of Henry, even if a bastard, over a daughter of his who'll do everything in her power to put England back in the Catholic orbit.

 

[Tudorfan]

Assuming we don't have too many butterflies going around and Edward VI still dies without having issue, any illegitimate sons, assuming they were raised Protestant, will make for much stronger challengers to the Catholic Mary than Lady Jane Grey did in OTL. The Protestant nobles would easily prefer a son of Henry, even if a bastard, over a daughter of his who'll do everything in her power to put England back in the Catholic orbit.

Remember, both Mary and Elizabeth are legally illegitimate even c. 1543 when they're restored to the succession, so if Henry does:

1. Edward VI
2. Fitzroy brother.
3. Henry Carey and/or brother
4. Mary
5. Elizabeth

Then neither Mary nor Elizabeth are Edward's direct successors anyway.

 

[Emperor Lucas I]

Not sure we can avoid butterflies - with few living sons running around, Henry no doubt will try to solve great matter differently. I think it's very likely that his first attempt will be to marry one of his mistress with living son in this situation.

 

[Happiness]

Not sure we can avoid butterflies - with few living sons running around, Henry no doubt will try to solve great matter differently. I think it's very likely that his first attempt will be to marry one of his mistress with living son in this situation.

Can he marry for Mary Boleyn? If their relationship start before her marriage and she give him a living son.

 

[ordinarylittleme]

Not sure we can avoid butterflies - with few living sons running around, Henry no doubt will try to solve great matter differently. I think it's very likely that his first attempt will be to marry one of his mistress with living son in this situation.

Why would he even bother with that? Just marry one of the sons to Mary.

 

[FalconHonour]

Why would he even bother with that? Just marry one of the sons to Mary.

Err, the Pope suggested that OTL. Henry said not on your nelly.

 

[FalconHonour]

So: Assuming Henry claims the Carey children and Bessie Blount's eldest daughter, then we'd have something along these lines.

Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond and Somerset b. 1519
Elizabeth Fitzroy, b.1520
Blanche Fitzroy b.1524 ( I don't see her being named Catherine TTL)
George Fitzroy, Earl of Ormonde (b.1526) - This would solve the Boleyn/Butler dispute and title Henry's second son suitably at the same time.

Henry can marry Catherine Willoughby (b.1519) or his cousin Margaret Douglas (b.1515)

George can have an Irish bride, perhaps Elizabeth Fitzgerald (b.1527) and the girls will need Viscounts or Earls... Perhaps Francis Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon for Elizabeth (b.1514) and Edmund Brydges, Baron Chandos (c.1520) for Blanche?