WI: Henry VIII sterilized

Makemakean · Jul 19, 2015

Just an idea that sprung up in my head while doing something completely different, a what if scenario I would be interested to see your take on.

In the summer of 1532, Henry VIII of England is working towards making the political alliances he needs to get a new marriage going, in the hope of having a son to succeed him. One summer day, he decides to take part in a jousting tournament. Things doesn't go as he intends, and in a tragic (though elaborate) accident, he has a panicking horse stepping him in an area where you don't want people to step. He is bedridden for weeks but recovers. His ability to reproduce, as well as his ability to stand up while urinating, does not. Poor Henry VIII is effectively rendered a eunuch.

What happens next?

Patton · Jul 19, 2015

The timing is very interesting because Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon wasn't offica annulled until 1533. Likewise although Henry has already sent Catherine away from court he hasn't offically married Ann. If Henry is certain he is unable to reproduce he probably won't go through with the annulment and remarriage, too much political risk for literally no possible reward.

Lord Protector · Jul 19, 2015

Well you just got rid of a good deal of english royal history there.

I do faintly remember him also getting smacked in the head by something as well that caused some personality changes making him a tyrant,would the absence of his manhood and attached hormones balance it out?

Eunuchs were historically noted for being very rational with the absence of hormones influencing their decisions.

So the tudors are probably doomed a lot faster than OTL but in the mean time Henry VIII might become rational enough to properly govern his kingdom in the later years and maybe find a proper heir among the english nobility,he will have to eventually accept that he will never get an heir so his only remaining purpose is to do his job properly and try to find someone competent to secceed him,would have interesting effects on english history.

With fewer problems related to marriage does henry bother pissing off the pope in the first place?

Avrorrange · Jul 19, 2015

Henry is stuck with Mary as heir.

TinyTartar · Jul 19, 2015

In addition to the widespread devastation caused over the loss of what was literally God's gift to all women everywhere, it causes Henry to bank every hope he has on Mary's succession. While this causes the Tudor line to die out quick, it is possible that with the right marriage alliance, the dynasty can continue in all but name.

With Henry's primary motivation for going Protestant gone (although there were some legitimate ecclesiastical and political reasons for the separation that will still exist), it will be interesting to see how far he is willing to stray from Rome.

Avrorrange · Jul 19, 2015

To safeguard his daughter's succession,would something like having her crowned during his lifetime be necessary or plausible?Another thing is that Mary's marriage plans would be changed radically as she would be expected to be Queen of England one day.Would Mary be married to a foreign ruler like OTL,marry the younger son of a foreign ruler or a powerful noble in England itself?

Emperor Julian · Jul 19, 2015

If Henry, for whatever reason, still goes Protestant, I doubt Mary would be as brutally Catholic in this TL, without the conversion having affected her personal life.

Lindseyman · Jul 19, 2015

Henry might see this as a sign of God's displeasure at his intended actions and so remain committed to the Pope and stamp out any version of Protestantism that arose in England.
As a result England could possibly undergo the same sort of strife that affected France. Unless of course Mary managed to marry a suitable prince and founded a stable dynasty?

kasumigenx · Jul 19, 2015

darthfanta said:
To safeguard his daughter's succession,would something like having her crowned during his lifetime be necessary or plausible?Another thing is that Mary's marriage plans would be changed radically as she would be expected to be Queen of England one day.Would Mary be married to a foreign ruler like OTL,marry the younger son of a foreign ruler or a powerful noble in England itself?

We might see Mary married to the Duke of Beja.