Anne Boleyn

Sometime back I read an interesting trilogy of books which took as its basic concept that Anne did NOT miscarry the second baby, but went on to give birth to a healthy boy - destined to become Henry IX.

I know it is slightly off topic, but those books have remained with me each time I see or read anything about that period.

Equally interesting would have been if the premature death as a teenager had not occured with Henry's recognised bastard., Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond and Somerset.

So many 'what ifs' in history.

Ditto how weather has been a deciding factor in historical battles….

Yes history is full of if, buts and maybes which is what makes it so fascinating. If Henry and Katherines first son had lived? No Anne Boleyn I guess, if Edward V1th had lived? If Harold had won the Battle of Hastings? Intriguing stuff!

I'm watching The Spanish Princess just now. It's very good, very accurate, I think. A Tudor story that doesn't get told very often. If Arthur had lived?

Darn it. Just as I read Jabberwocks post I thought to myself, you’ve still not got round to buying The Spanish Princess. I loved The White Queen. The White Princess not quite as much but it was still good. Then meant to buy The Spanish Princess. I didn’t rate The White Queen at first thinking it was a bit far fetched and then realised it was actually accurate. I think I’ve watched it several times now. I love staying at Middleham in the shadow of Richard III’s favourite castle. Wars of the Roses far more fascinating than Henry VIII imo.

Sometime back I read an interesting trilogy of books which took as its basic concept that Anne did NOT miscarry the second baby, but went on to give birth to a healthy boy - destined to become Henry IX.

Interesting, Franbern, I hadn't heard of those books.
Presumably those Americans who claim to have been descended from Anne Boleyn (the ones who included my family in their inaccurate tree) had read those books.

Yes, what if Arthur had lived? The medieval period is amazingly interesting, you can read about it again and again and still find something new to learn about. The over riding mystery of course is the Princes. I have always felt that Richard was responsible, although Josephine Tey nearly convinced me otherwise, but tbh, I think it was him. Could have been HenryV11th, but I don't think so.

Probably the worst casting of Henry VIII ever. To work, he needs to be both physically and mentally intimidating. This chap was your average bloke.
Comic book historical drama.

Jabberwok

Yes, what if Arthur had lived? The medieval period is amazingly interesting, you can read about it again and again and still find something new to learn about. The over riding mystery of course is the Princes. I have always felt that Richard was responsible, although Josephine Tey nearly convinced me otherwise, but tbh, I think it was him. Could have been HenryV11th, but I don't think so.

An interesting mystery about the Princes. They were next in line to the throne. Their Uncle, Richard III is prime suspect but I wonder if Margaret Beaufort may have been behind their murders? She was very devout but also fiercely ambitious and was determined for her only son, Henry Tudor, to be crowned King. It was Margaret who together with Edward IV's widow Elizabeth, arranged the marriage between their children, Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York, effectively bringing the Wars of the Roses to an end. Powerful women in their day.

Callistemon

^Sometime back I read an interesting trilogy of books which took as its basic concept that Anne did NOT miscarry the second baby, but went on to give birth to a healthy boy - destined to become Henry IX.^

Interesting, Franbern, I hadn't heard of those books.
Presumably those Americans who claim to have been descended from Anne Boleyn (the ones who included my family in their inaccurate tree) had read those books.

By Laura Anderson.

Sometime back I read an interesting trilogy of books which took as its basic concept that Anne did NOT miscarry the second baby, but went on to give birth to a healthy boy - destined to become Henry IX.

I think that this sounds like an interesting concept for a drama, but wonder how it would sit with those who insist on 'facts', and worry that A level students would be confused into writing essays about Henry IX?

It is interesting how much of our history hinges on accidents of fate. It's debatable how much our lives today would have been impacted by having the line of succession changed, but the loss of a battle here and there could have made things very different, as could anything that got in the way of inventions and scientific discoveries.