What if Mary I had lived?

[Luóbótè Bèiĕrdé]

Presuming Mary I does not die in 1558, and instead bears Philip of Spain children, a Catholic England would become a possession of the Spanish Habsburgs, cementing the encirclement of France. In addition, England could presumably provide a bulwark against the Dutch rebellion (although the extent is unclear).

What would happen?

[bgwah]

Dude relax, Mary won't die until like Season 8 of the Tudors

[Ghyl Tarvoke]

Would a long living Mary I (or her successors) fund voyages to the new world, especially with Philip II as consort? I doubt it.

Interesting topic actually, but my 16th Century English History knowledge has deserted me in the past year - I hope JFK posts here (if he ever reads his PMs )

[SoIA NiK]

Dude relax, Mary won't die until like Season 8 of the Tudors

Win.


Yeah, I concur. England wouldn't have had many (or any) ventures into the New World at that period, allowing Spain some breathing room. As for the Hapsburg possession, I don't think it would last long.

[Understanding in a car crash]

Protestantism would find it's way back.

[JohnFKennedy]

Would a long living Mary I (or her successors) fund voyages to the new world, especially with Philip II as consort? I doubt it.

Interesting topic actually, but my 16th Century English History knowledge has deserted me in the past year - I hope JFK posts here (if he ever reads his PMs )

I do occasionally! I hadn't actually noticed this prior to now. Anyway, as I think I made clear in the Tudor Survivor thread, the big driver of the restoration of Catholicism is Reginald Pole and he died within twenty-four hours of Mary, so really without him I would expect the restoration would flounder somewhat - he was really the theological and political driver behind it.

[JohnFKennedy]

Also, there's a strong case that Calais would have been restored to England as part of the negotiations because Philip would obviously have an interest in it. In terms of British history, one of the big questions would be what happens between England and Scotland - Tudor dynasty continued through Mary means no James I means no union of crowns - what then?