english-history-trip: The Almost-Kings We take for granted many people and events in history, but wh
english-history-trip:The Almost-KingsWe take for granted many people and events in history, but when so much rested on an unstable human life, history could be irreversibly changed at any moment. Here are some of the heirs to the English throne that never lived to see it:William Adelin, 17, son of Henry I: Died in 1120 when his ship sank in the English Channel. Impact: William’s death precipitated a twenty-year war for the throne between his sister Matilda and his cousin Stephen.Henry the Young King, 28, son of Henry II: Died in 1183 of dysentery while campaigning against his father and brother. Impact: The throne was inherited by his brother, crusader Richard I “Coeur de Lion”, and then his brother John “Lackland”, who would sign the Magna Carta.Edward V, 12, son of Edward IV: Became de facto king on his father’s death in 1483, but was shut in the Tower of London with his brother, while his uncle took the throne as Richard III. They were never seen again, and presumed murdered. Impact: Richard’s seizure of the throne reopened the causes of the Wars of the Roses, which ended with Richard’s death and the end of the Plantagenet Dynasty.Arthur Tudor, 15, son of Henry VII: Died of an unknown illness in Wales in 1502. Impact: Arthur’s brother inherited the throne as Henry VIII. He also married Arthur’s widow, Catherine of Aragon.Henry Tudor, 7 weeks, son of Henry VIII: Died in 1511 of unknown causes. Impact: Henry VIII’s quest for sons led him to marry six times and reform the English Church. His later son Edward ruled for a short time, followed by his daughters Mary and Elizabeth. With them ended the Tudor dynasty.Henry Stuart, 18, son of James I: Died of typhoid in 1612. Impact: Henry’s brother Charles inherited the throne. Lacking his brother’s strength and charisma, he proved a weak leader, finally being executed in the English Civil War.William Stuart, 11, son of Queen Anne: Died of pneumonia in 1700. Impact: Anne’s death without a child caused the throne to pass over 55 Catholic claimants to her distant cousin George of Hanover, ending the Stuart dynasty.Frederick of Hanover, 44, son of George II: Died of a blood clot in 1751. Impact: Who knows? His son succeeded him as George III.Charlotte of Hanover, 21, daughter of George IV: Died in childbirth in 1817. Impact: The throne eventually went instead to George’s niece Victoria, who would reign for over sixty years.Albert Victor, 28, son of Edward VII: Died of pneumonia in 1892. Impact: His brother became king as George V. Had he not died, the current royal family would not only not rule, they would not exist: George would marry Mary of Teck, Albert’s prospective fiancee. -- source link
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