WI: A Duke of York is born to Henry VIII and Catherine Parr

[Historico]

In March 1548, Catherine became pregnant for the first time at age thirty-five. This pregnancy was a surprise as Catherine had not conceived a child during her first three marriages. As sex during pregnancy was frowned upon during the sixteenth century, Seymour began to take an interest in Lady Elizabeth. Seymour had reputedly plotted to marry her before marrying Catherine, and it was reported later that Catherine discovered the two in an embrace. On a few occasions before the situation risked getting completely out of hand, Catherine appears not only to have acquiesced in episodes of sexually charged horseplay, but actually to have assisted her husband.[28] Whatever actually happened, Elizabeth was sent away in May 1548 to stay with Sir Anthony Denny's household at Cheshunt and never saw her beloved stepmother again, although the two corresponded.

So What if the Great Caretaker-Queen Catherine had lucked out with having her only child a few years earlier than IOTL? Assuming Henry and Catherine are able to conceive on their wedding night, and a son is born to the Queen around Mid-March 1544? For arguments sake, lets name the child William, after Catherine's distinguished ancestor(Whom served in Edward IV's Court)? How might this future Duke of York be raised in Catherine' enlightened Protestant household? Assuming that Catherine doesn't succumb to complications of child birth ITTL? Might this be enough for Henry upon his death to ensure Catherine(What most thought was going to happen IOTL, during Henry's last French campaign IOTL) to rule as Regent till Edward reached maturity? What happens to Mary and Elizabeth in terms of the succession? And if Edward dies around the same time as IOTL, would William"s ascension to the throne at the age of 9, prove to be drama-free in the rocky world of Tudor England in the 1550's...Can't wait to see what you guys come up with

 

[Welshroyalhistory]

So What if the Great Caretaker-Queen Catherine had lucked out with having her only child a few years earlier than IOTL? Assuming Henry and Catherine are able to conceive on their wedding night, and a son is born to the Queen around Mid-March 1544? For arguments sake, lets name the child William, after Catherine's distinguished ancestor(Whom served in Edward IV's Court)? How might this future Duke of York be raised in Catherine' enlightened Protestant household? Assuming that Catherine doesn't succumb to complications of child birth ITTL? Might this be enough for Henry upon his death to ensure Catherine(What most thought was going to happen IOTL, during Henry's last French campaign IOTL) to rule as Regent till Edward reached maturity? What happens to Mary and Elizabeth in terms of the succession? And if Edward dies around the same time as IOTL, would William"s ascension to the throne at the age of 9, prove to be drama-free in the rocky world of Tudor England in the 1550's...Can't wait to see what you guys come up with

1) William, Duke of York will be raised as a firm Protestant.

2) I am not sure anyone really thought that Catherine would be regent for Edward, it was always more natural that Edward Seymour, his maternal uncle and one of Henry's closest advisors in his final years would be regent.

3) With the birth of a male child to Henry and Catherine, he automatically becomes 2nd in line after Edward, Prince of Wales. Mary will be 3rd, Elizabeth 4th. The liklihood of either becoming Queen is dramatically reduced.

Mary might be the most negatively affected, she bided her time during Edward VI's reign, knowing he was weak and unhealthy, she might give up completely knowing that even if she gets rid of one Protestant brother King, there is another waiting in the wings. Quiet retirement might be her way out.

Things will be better for Elizabeth as she is a Protestant, I suspect she will be married off to a Scandinavian or Protestant German ruler.

4) William will become King upon the premature death of his brother Edward VI, his mother Catherine will have a new position. Much will depend on what has happened in the years since Henry VIII's death.

Catherine is the British monarchy's version of Elizabeth Taylor, she loved getting married and in the aftermath of the King's death she will be the biggest matrimonial prize in England. She would be stupid to marry Thomas Seymour, it will put her in direct conflict with Edward Seymour and Catherine's priority will be not to do anything which jeopardises her son's future.

Catherine may plot privately behind Edward Seymour's back, perhaps with the assistance of Thomas to get rid of Edward Seymour, however we shouldnt forget that Thomas and Catherine will have a conflict of interest, Thomas will want his nephew to remain King and father heirs, Catherine will want her step son to die childless so that her son can inherit.

 

[mcdnab]

It is the great what if?

Assuming Catherine does fall pregnant and delivers a healthy male child - Henry is going to be overjoyed.
I doubt it will be anything but Henry Duke of York.
Catherine was already pretty enamoured of Thomas Seymour and I can't see that changing much - as the mother of the heir presumptive after Edward VI's accession her and THomas' position will be stronger which might make things far harder for Edward Seymour.
If anything she is a far better prospect for Thomas and his ambition.
She will influence her son's religion as she did her step children (apart from Mary) which means a son much closer to his half-brother's stern Protestantism.
Assuming Edward VI dies as in OTL then you have the accession of yet another child - and a battle royal for control.
Henry VIII's will had not named a protector merely a council to govern for Edward until he was of age....Seymour and other effectively seized power - on Edward VI's death - it will be Thomas (assuming he survives in the tl) who will move to take control.
One problem is whether Catherine is left or gains control of her son on Henry's death.
Assuming she does then much depends on whether Catherine as in OTL died in childbirth by Seymour - if she is dead then custody and control of her son is never going to be left with Seymour (with or without a takeover of Northumberland).
If Catherine dies as in OTL, and the Seymours end up as they did in OTL (Edward VI chafed at his uncles control) then it is Northumberland who will take control of the DUke of York (or Henry IX) it will certainly save the lives of Jane Grey and probably means no Dudley marriage for her.
Mary is going to continue to live quietly in the country and hope her overt catholicism doesn't attract any unwanted attention from the reform minded government.
With no immediate succession crisis Northumberland will have no objection to the Lady Elizabeth being at court (she was not encouraged to attend in OTL despite her affection for her half brother and his for his "sweet sister temperance") - he is in no urgent need to amend the succession to exclude her.
With Henry IX's accession Elizabeth will continue to be the focus of the marital aspirations of courtiers and foreigners (especially if Mary died as in OTL leaving Elizabeth heiress presumptive until Henry marries and has issue)
With the death of Francis II and Mary Stuart widowed then the pressure will be on to push her into marrying Henry and unite the thrones - religious questions not withstanding. If that fails then I wouldn't rule out the revival of a scheme to marry Elizabeth to one of the Hamiltons (next in line to the Scots throne in the event of Mary's death without issue).