Prince Arthur Tudor: What if he had lived to be King?

Today I want to explore some more counter-factual history - to take look at what might have been if things had played out slightly differently, if just one moment or event had gone the other way. This time I’m going be asking, what if Prince Arthur Tudor had lived?
I hope you enjoy this video and find it interesting!
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Intro / Outro song: Silent Partner, "Greenery" [ • Greenery - Silent Part... ]
SFX from freesfx.co.uk/...
Linked videos and playlists:
Videos on counterfactual history:
What-if-tory: • Dr Kat and "What-If-Tory"
Henry Fitzroy: • King Henry IX: What if...
Images (from Wikimedia Commons, unless otherwise stated):
Portrait of Arthur, Prince of Wales by an unknown artist of the Anglo-Flemish School (c.1500). Held in a private collection.
Portrait of King Henry VII by an unknown Netherlandish artist (1505). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.
Portrait of Elizabeth of York by an unknown artist of the British School (16th Century). Held by the Royal Collection at Hampton Court.
Map of England.
Portrait of Katherine of Aragon by an unknown artist (c.1520). On display at the National Portrait Gallery, lent by Lambeth Palace.
Photograph of Ludlow Castle viewed from Whitcliffe in evening sunshine. In the background is Brown Clee. Taken by Ian Capper (2011).
A tapestry in the Flemish style of Catherine of Aragon and her husband Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales (c. early 1500s). Current collection / location unknown.
Portrait of Margaret Tudor by Daniel Mytens (c.1620-1638). Held by the Royal Collection.
Portrait of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey by Sampson Strong (1585-1596). Held by Trinity College.
Illumination showing Louis XII of France and his third wife, English princess Mary Tudor, from a book detailing the pageants given for Mary's reception into France by Pierre Gringoire (c.1514). held by the British Library, Cotton MS Vespasian bii f. 15r.
“The Mayflower at sea” by an unknown artist (1893). Originally from Internet Book Images.
Quoted texts:
Rosemary Horrox , ODNB entry on Arthur Tudor
Also consulted, were:
Other relevant entries from The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Online.
#History #Tudor #CounterFactual

[@marshaprice8226]

Elizabeth of York and Henry VII tried to have another child because of Arthur’s death, resulting in the deaths of Elizabeth and her last child. If there had been no attempt at having another child, the chances are good that Elizabeth and Henry, not having been so stricken by their losses, would have lived together in better health and happiness. Henry VII’s reign may have been longer and his kingdom and the world’s politics been different by the time Arthur became king.

[@beth7935]

Yes! When Arthur died, Elizabeth told Henry "we're still young enough", & she was pregnant just a month later. That kinda makes it seem like they'd stopped trying for children, probably cos they already had 2 sons so it wasn't worth the risk to Elizabeth's health, & they only tried for another child cos of Arthur's death. So I 100% agree: if he'd survived, they probably wouldn't have, & the last years of Henry VII's reign would've been VASTLY different if Elizabeth hadn't died in 1503.

[@dianefitzwilliam]

@@beth7935 I think she was saying, "We're still young enough to conceive a child *because* we still have an active sex life." Arthur died 2 April 1502. /ETA: Edmund, the last child born before the death of Arthur, was born in Feb of 1499 and died in June of 1500, so It doesn't seem as if Elizabeth had left off childbearing yet./ Katherine, the last child of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, was born 2 Feb 1503. Assuming a full term pregnancy (and, who knows about that?), Katherine would have been conceived very shortly after Arthur's death. While it is certainly possible for someone to conceive on the first attempt, for me this argues in favor of the idea that Henry and Elizabeth had an active sex life together, and I suppose one could take more than one position on whether she was lucky in that final conception.

[@gillianbergh7002]

@@beth7935 I wonder if they knew much about preventing a pregnancy, other than refraining from having sex? It would have meant celibacy for Elizabeth - but it was the done thing for a king or prince to have mistresses. They were known as 'ladies of the bedchamber.'

[@nbenefiel]

Henry VII was a right bastard. So were all the Tudors.

[@beth7935]

@@dianefitzwilliam That's a possible interpretation too. Maybe it was just a coincidence Elizabeth got pregnant a month later- but good point that Katherine might've been premature, & therefore conceived later, which would make it less of a coincidence. I wonder if any records could tell us that? Probably not, cos we can't even work out if Arthur was a month early or conceived before his parents married, & Katherine would've been seen as less important. I don't find it that surprising to conceive on the 1st attempt though- I know a lot of women who have, & 2 of them were over 40- especially given how quickly Elizabeth got pregnant with Arthur (even if she & Henry didn't wait for their wedding, it was still pretty quick). _However,_ I agree that it's not conclusive either way if you look at the dates their children were born. It was only 3 years after Edmund's birth, as you said, & there had been similar gaps between some of their other children, like Elizabeth & Mary, July 1492 to March 1496. It's not like they'd had a kid every year, then no kids for 10 years- I think it's all still debatable.

[@sagenoelle4439]

Had Arthur survived, I wonder if Elizabeth of York would have lived longer too. She became pregnant shortly after Arthur’s death in an attempt to “replace” him with another son and then died in childbirth. I think it’s very possible that Elizabeth would’ve been done having children since there were several healthy sons and daughters. Arthur’s untimely death had a direct connection to his mother’s demise less than a year later, which makes it even sadder. Elizabeth of York living longer would have been beneficial for all her family (and the country).

[@fiorimonde7494]

I love when you do these. As a Jewish person the idea of the inquisition in England is chilling. While I respect Catherine of Aragon it's disturbing to think of her mother's role in our history

[@ilanarhian]

Exactly what I thought as well (also being Jewish)

[@louiseoliver3453]

Well technically there were no Jews in England at the time, as Edward 1 expelled them and officially were only allowed to resettle in Cromwell's era, but it would certainly have had an effect on people's attitudes towards the Jewish people, and sadly it doesn't take much for anti semitism to flourish

[@Ilivedbih]

​@@louiseoliver3453 That's terrible, I didn't even know that. Why were Christians against so Jews when that's where Christianity comes from? I get that it was towards other religions as well, but this one doesn't make sense to me.

[@louiseoliver3453]

@@Ilivedbih I think because over the centuries they were villified as 'Christ Killers' but also because they practised Usury. In parts of eastern Europe antisemitism was rampant as Jewish people were often the middlemen between sellers and the peasantry, the latter of whom always felt they were being diddled. Ironically, considering the problems between the two religions today, I was reading about how Jewish people from Muslim majority Albania were sheltered in the holocaust and those fleeing to the Middle east were often warmly welcomed by local Muslims. How times change!

[@mariah4531]

It doesn't change the outcome, but Idon't think Isabel had a personal vendetta against Jewish people. She and Fernando needed the support of the church during and after the Reconquista, and the church wanted Jewish people gone and the Conversos policed by the Inquisition. So Isabel and Fernando agreed because they were ruthless realpolitikers. In a slightly different political situation they probably wouldn't have acted against the Jewish community. So Catherine wouldn't necessarily do so either.

[@SleepyAE31]

There's a book called The Alteration by Kingsley Amis that was written in the 70s with the same premise. It's a modern story about a young boy, but in this England, Arthur Tudor lived. There are a LOT of other changes done due to Arthur's reign, mostly concerning the influence of the Catholic Church. I LOVE alternate histories. It is such an fun little thought experiment to see exactly how things could have been if only XYZ happened. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@dirgniflesuoh7950]

The main pivotal point was that Martin Luther reconciliated with the Catholic Church and became the pope Germanicus whatever number. Catholic Europe was in constant war with the Islamic empire to keep populations down. Electricity was heresy ....

[@spacecardinal]

Should I have zigged instead of zagged?

[@d.m.6397]

Amis was a spectacular writer, I've not read this one, thank you for jogging me to pick it up.

[@karynhitchman2498]

Fascinating alternate history, thank you. A lot of what ifs and maybe or maybe not a better future because of it.🤔

[@nicolemeiner6903]

Regarding the thought of her issues with pregnancy, if she'd been sleeping with Arthur for the entire period where canonically she was his widow, that'd have given her additional time - significant time - to have had subsequent pregnancies and living children. I think she still would have had troubles and still had stillborn children as well, but she may have had one or two more living children - and any daughters would not have had to outlive her parents before she could get married.

[@jessicamcminn-cotton1537]

I would like to believe a lot of Katherine's fertility issues came from the fact she was under such duress in her early life (being essentially held captive by her inlaws while they tried to figure out what to do with her when Arthur died). If those circumstances were removed, and if her marriage to Arthur proved to be a happy one, I think she could have mothered multiple heirs. I'd still think her first would be a girl, but then followed by two younger brothers, so : 👸🤴🤴. I also like to believe that Katherine would have been just as passionate about the education of her daughter in this timeline as she was in the actual history. That daughter might have ended up being diplomatically important in more ways than just who she ended up providing with children one day... Perhaps another "warrior queen"? The "what-ifs" of history are absolutely fascinating. Especially when it comes to the Tudors.

[@dfuher968]

Yes, those horrendous living conditions after Arthurs death came to mind for me too. And she was no pushover, she would definitely have insisted, that all her children regardless of gender be equally and well educated. And she would probably have had a ally in that in her mother-in-law, since handwriting analysis now have made a plausible case, that Elizabeth herself taught at least Henry to write, even if she might not have had the same leeway with the heir as with the spare. And both Margaret and Mary seem to have been quite formidable themselves, which they could not have become without a strong female rolemodel, most likely their mother, a good education and a father, who allowed, perhaps even encouraged, both. Ive always been struck by how strong the Tudor women (by birth or by marriage) were, even by todays standards.

[@puclopuclik4108]

she delivered 5 children. fertility wasn't an issue. The issue was stillbirth and child mortality.

[@maltesercat]

Thanks so much for this, Dr Kat! I must say the thought of Henry VIII being Pope is one I've never considered before, and it brought me out in a cold sweat 😅

[@sophiegeek1]

Same!! 😬

[@tropicalgardenvlogs]

He would have given Julius the second a run for his money!

[@carterbentonjr399]

One would have shuddered the thought but it could have cause the Reformation to spread further through out Europe.

[@anniikka]

I don't know. Henry was unprepared in almost every respect to be king. He was the proverbial poor rich boy - spoiled, bratty, over-indulged, and suffering because of it. But that's par for the course when it comes to popes of the past. I think he'd have fit right in. But given time, he also might have had the opportunity to mature into his role in the world and been less of a boor.

[@christinaclark9754]

I think Catharine would have had better luck with having kids. Starting at a younger age and with having the spare brother would have helped. There would not be as much stress and desperation. One of the suspected reasons for her difficulties was her fasting way too much.

[@carinafourie9119]

I was under the impression that Elizabeth and Henry tried for their last child in an attempt to provide another male heir because Arthur died unexpectedly. Perhaps she may not have died in childbirth because if Arthur survived, this last pregnancy may not have happened?

[@Sattva468]

Great video! I like to imagine he would have taken after his frugal father and compassionate mother and kept the country out of war. His mother might still be alive, too, since she wouldn’t have felt the pressure to bear another son.

[@Anna-xx1lv]

I also think his sister’s life would have turned out much differently. I don’t think Scotland would have gone to war with England and King James IV would have not died as early as he did.

[@nessagirl1911]

I love these thought experiments. You'd never think how much a relatively small thing like someone not dying or making a different decision could affect our world today. Please do more of these!

[@bridgetm1343]

Why, oh, why did Arthur have to pass away before becoming king and producing heirs! I can not adequately express how much I enjoyed this thorough counterfactual history. Thank you for expounding upon not only Henry's Great Matter but all the other battles, border disputes, marriages, alliances, births, etc. I loved this! 🤴🤴👸👸👸🤴

[@beslim15]

Love this topic. One thing I always think about is what if Henry VIII was content to keep Mary as his heir and did not seek a divorce. What would the world have looked like? In both instances, I think the reformation either is delayed or non-existent and England does not become the large empire it doe sin our time.

[@jakual339]

I found this video particularly fascinating! I was expecting something similar to the level of change created by Henry Fitzroy's survival (as you explored previously), but this got pretty wild! The only place I differ is that, if Catherine and Arthur had had trouble having children, I don't believe at all that Catherine would have agreed to step out of her marriage into holy orders. Even without the trauma of her widowed years, the humiliation of the "Great Matter"'s arguments, and the need to defend her daughter's rights... it really seems like there was a core of iron and pride in her that would have kept her where she was. She was Isabella and Ferdinand's daughter, after all.

[@Natalie_11188]

I agree.

[@dfuher968]

But she might very well have had no trouble having children with Arthur. There has been great speculation, given Henry's history with children, that the problem might have been with him, not her. Also, as Dr. Kat says, she wouldve been producing children at a much younger age. And I would add, that the years she lived as Arthurs widow were under quite bad conditions, both physically and mentally, and might also have affected her later childbearing. That said, I agree, that Catherine would likely not have stepped aside for Arthur, any more than she stepped aside for Henry.

[@beth7935]

@@dfuher968 I agree- I think bad luck is the major or only reason Henry VIII only had 1 living male heir, & if Catherine had been married younger, I think there's a good chance she would've had more surviving children, & perhaps at least one surviving son. She had no trouble conceiving- she had 6 children in 9 years, & she had 2 healthy babies, it's just that the boy died later of illness.

[@beth7935]

Yes, I really can't see Catherine meekly giving up her place as Queen of England & retiring to a nunnery! Even if it was done "nicely", no way! And it's not just her- I really can't see her powerful family accepting it either, or the Pope giving Arthur a divorce/annullment... And from the little bit we know of Arthur, I find it hard to imagine him ditching her, particularly not when he had his brother to continue the dynasty.

[@ffotograffydd]

Her daughter might have been a son though, so it wouldn’t have been an issue in the same way.

[@mtngrl5859]

Interesting take on alternative timelines. I thinks its highly likely that she and Arthur would have been a better match. If one looks at her family lineage, fertility was fairly evident with her own mother and siblings. One of things I had read about her union with Henry is that she got pregnant too frequently in the early years of her marriage, that it rendered her much weaker. So, with being with Arthur as his teenage bride there would have been less pressure in the early years of their marriage to have children.

[@steelerbear]

I love a good bit of what-iftory! Thank you, Dr Kat! 💗🤴👸🤴👸👸

[@aprilsnow7798]

I absolutely love these what if videos you do! So interesting to consider how much 1 thing forever alters history and the future!

[@Jami-Frankie]

Henry ruthlessly destroyed countless lives in pursuit of a son. The irony of his daughter Elizabeth having a wildly successful reign is just tragic.

[@maevekilara5328]

I think Catherine's pregnancies would have been more successful as she may not have had the same high levels of stress and anxiety as she did when married to Henry. His constant wandering and his apparent clinical hunger for constant praise and validation would have been exhausting on top of that. I do still believe that Scotland would have eventually been annexed to another kingdom, whether by France or England or by whose domination I couldn't say

[@stephaniemerlin1]

Thank you, this was genuinely fascinating. As a childless woman I believe that had Katherine of Aragon not bern so cruelly mistreated with presumably both her metal and physical health afffected even if not acknowledged, then this coupled with her attempts to become pregnant earlier in life would have meant she was able to produce more children than she subsequently did. The body and mind have a way of keeping account of hard times, sad times, and cruel times, and I fully believe that this has a way of affecting fertility, without taking into account the subsequent possibility of Henry VIII having a sexually transmitted disease which made conception and pregnancy by Katherine more difficult than it might. Had they had children, I'm sure they would have had many, but two of each remaining living would seem to be a happy outcome. ❤

[@pennyatkinson5740]

It's fascinating to wonder how a life without Henry V111 & his children would have been.Would there have been rivalry with his brother Arthur as with our present day "spare"?? Another thought provoking video.Thank you Dr Kat

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

👦 Henry, prince of wales ( Future Henry VIII) 👧 Princess Elizabeth For both their mothers 👧 Princess Mary For the Virgin and both their sisters. 👦John, Duke of Richmond, For catherine's brother and John of gaunt. 👦Edward, Duke of Somerset. For Edward Iv and III.

[@beth7935]

I love that you chose names, AND titles for the younger princes! I've thought about names too, but I hadn't thought of "Elizabeth" for both their mothers, cos even tho it _is_ technically the English version of Isabel, the name "Isabel" was also used in England. I think it's a good idea though, & so is "Mary" for the Virgin Mary.... Anyway, my list: 👸Princess Isabel 🤴Arthur, Prince of Wales* 🤴Prince Henry 👸Princess Elizabeth 👸Princess Margaret* 🤴Prince Jasper* *I think Henry VII was dedicated to the Arthurian symbolism, & Arthur would've continued it, but I do think Arthur would've named his 2nd son after his father. *Henry VIII was very close to his sister Mary, but I've read that Arthur was closer to Margaret; & also for Margaret Beaufort, who did so much to get the Tudors on the throne. *I like to think if Henry VII had had a 4th son, he would've named him after Jasper, for obvious reasons, but you're probably right- Arthur & Catherine would be more likely to choose John or Edward, with so many ancestors & relatives with those names, or maybe Edmund.

[@michaellewis6510]

Absolutely fascinating detail. I think Arthur and Catherine would have been an excellent king and queen. How sad that Catherine arrived in England at the age of 16 years only to die of neglect when discarded by Henry.

[@dees3179]

I’d love to see a further exploration of what Henry might have done in church. The thought of him as pope really tickled me. But you are right to raise ie. Why not. He was smart and ambitious and inventive. Why wouldn’t he have been. And what might he have done if he had made it to that position. What could he have affected. And in England, no destruction of all those monasteries….😱

[@roberthudson3386]

One thing is for sure, he would probably not have issued the bull Regnans in Excelsis against his brother or daughter..... Maybe would have been pro-English and anti-French. Without his jousting injuries his character could have been very different to how he turned out.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

One of my favorite what ifs! Thanks for this!🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤

[@Fairtheewell1485]

The incredible amount of research and knowledge that flows out of Dr Kat is truly astounding- this is perfection for an avid Tudor fan and novice alike

[@jfarzana1984]

This has been a fascinating conversation! 👶🧒👧👨‍🦰👩‍🦰👩‍🦰

[@maureenogorman8740]

You have the best topics. I can just see "Spare" the blockbuster expose of 1510

[@sawyermclachlan5049]

I love these what ifs and would be very happy if another one came out of your channel 😊

[@elizabethbetts3834]

I wonder if Elizabeth of York would’ve even attempted to have an another child if Arthur hadn’t died. She may have lived for a few more years if they weren’t trying to replace their heir. Henry VII may have lasted even longer as King as well because her death caused a sharp decline in his health too.

[@calamityjane6437]

I just wanted to drop a note to say I LOVE your videos! Thank you. ❤

[@MorriganWarrioress]

Really enjoyed this one! Honestly, the What-Ifs of history fascinate me. Love them! It's always fun to do a little waltzing through history, to see how moving one piece on the board, changes the entire scene. What the Butterfly effect is, if you will, of letting one seemingly small thing change. In this case, a teenager doesn't die of sickness shortly after his marriage and lives to be as old as some of his other siblings managed. That one thing changes, and how it spirals from there, all the way to possibly no Mayflower, no UK, and no break from the Catholic Church.

[@Zine2me]

This was an absolute delight. All through the years I've heard stories of Henry VIII and all of them have fed my dislike of the guy. I never had knowledge of the cast of characters that you have so I could never begin to put a good story together. I really loved hearing what might have happened. I think it would have been great. edit: I don't know that he'd have been a great Pope. I hope there'd have been better candidates than him.

[@rachael6956]

Brilliant! I love all your vlogs ❤ Such clarity and so easy to follow history. Thank you so much 🙏 Rachael from Hever, Kent

[@rebeccarobinson9371]

Loved this thought exercise!! Enjoy your work!!

[@sylviadonoghue2195]

This is a really marvelous "what if" and I never cease to be fascinated by the ramifications of changing one event in history and pondering how it ripples through time.

[@shan21999]

I love the videos where you're able to speculate with such a great understanding of the times and being able to use other historical references to back you up. This is a question ive often wondered for myself and constantly wonder if Catherine herself was wondering it too.

[@michelerogers5379]

It's really mind boggling how one small event can change so many lives!

[@Marley-Kabin]

Please make this a series!!! I’m in love with your historic speculation!

[@Kasamira]

I adore your videos thank you so much for making them and putting in so much hard work❤

[@JaneFrost-v3c]

Brilliant ideas. You've covered all bases!

[@anniebus105]

I totally agree with everyone else who have said that they really love when you do these types of historical deep dives into "what if." This is my cup of tea, and oh my goodness how different the world would be. I think all of North America would still be English. Would England weathered the Martin Luther craze and remained staunchly Catholic...maybe. So fun!!! Please do more of these types in the future. You are so brilliant and talented! Thank you! ❤

[@octavianpopescu4776]

I think Luther wasn't that much of a craze in England. On him, Henry and the Pope agreed 100%. Neither of them liked Luther. Even after splitting with Rome, Henry still didn't like Luther. The craze was a Calvin craze. After Henry's death, a lot of the reformers were inspired by Calvinism and somewhat by Scottish Presbyterianism (e.g. Puritans), not as much by Luther. At the time, there was a triangle: Catholicism, Lutheranism and Calvinism. Lutherans and Calvinists could be just as suspicious of one another as they were towards the Catholics. Just because they didn't like the Pope didn't mean they liked one another and the word "popery" was thrown around as an accusation, not just against Catholics.

[@rebeccagooch9000]

Thank you Dr Kat for such a thoroughly thought through counter factual history tutorial. You’ve given me so much to consider with the knock-on effect of each change. Thank you!

[@GROK99]

Thank you for all of your wonderful research.

[@GaryWalshDublin]

Very interesting and informative video. I think you bring up many great points.

[@Shane-Flanagan]

Love these counter factual videos Dr Kat does them so well

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

Arthur might have had the same genetic problem that likely made Henry’s wives unable to bear viable sons. Medical historians think this might have been Kells Syndrome, in which a wife might produce a first healthy son, but the gene inherited from the father would have created an autoimmune attack on subsequent children, in utero. This is similar, apparently, to the better-know Rhesus negative syndrome. This is important to any young woman hoping to have children who have the rH negative blood type, it can now be treated with a simple injection before a second pregnancy. I’m no doctor, though, don’t rely on this information too much if it might personally affect you

[@theladytudor3805]

So I have RH negative blood type and have always wondered if, at least Anne Boleyn, also suffered from it in a time before medical help. However, I had never heard of a similar issue, that could be a result of Henry, causing so many miscarriages/stillbirths/infant deaths in both Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn's cases, intriguing!

[@easjer]

It fits with some of his other children, but Catherine's first pregnancy was a stillbirth and their first son died less than 2 months old. Mary was pregnancy number 5, I think. So it's harder to make that case with Catherine than with Anne Boleyn.

[@theaxe6198]

I am RH neg. It is treated with a shot with every pregnancy

[@kendracrispin5327]

There is one other glitch that could've happened had Arthur lived: the impetus for Henry VII and Elizabeth of York to have that last daughter was Arthur's death. Would Elizabeth of York have still gotten pregnant? Still, a fascinating look at the what ifs.

[@BlackFrostQueen]

🥰 I loved this video. The what-if of Arthur surviving has always been fascinating to me. Thanks for the video!!

[@LoisThiessen]

I really appreciate following you down this rabbit hole! From the little I know of Arthur, his character was very different from that of Henry. I don't believe he was the braggart and in-your-face competitor that was Henry. Having been raised as the heir, he understood what it meant to rule and, I suspect, he would have cared for his people - something that was foreign to Henry. Though the thought of a Catholic England is unsettling for me (I'm in Canada, and we would likely now not exist), as you mentioned, the Reformation was on the move and would likely have arrived in England at some point. This is a very interesting exercise, and I appreciate being brought along to consider 'what might have been.'

[@MorriganWarrioress]

PS: Did share this channel with some friends in a Discord group. They are loving it!

[@j7333nnn]

Thanks! Missed you these past weeks during my African safari

[@ReadingthePast]

Thank you, I hope you had a wonderful trip!

[@laurieduerr4757]

Very thoughtful insights on this interesting "what if" scenario! I agree that England likely would have remained Catholic longer, and with the transition to Protestant faith being smoother and more aligned to the rest of Europe. But very curious to think that England and Scotland would not likely have been united!

[@MrsPatPape]

Thanks for this video. Very insightful.

[@kathleenb.9917]

What a fascinating explanation of alternate history! I loved it!

[@shawnehartnett3979]

Another insightful and thought provoking video. Im so thankful to have found you during the pandemic and one day will make it to England (I'm in US) to see all those wonderful places!

[@theresalaux5655]

Great video Dr Kat! This was really fun!😊❤

[@King_Steffon_II]

You did a spectacular job 🎉 I pray you do A LOT more of these types of videos 🙏🏾

[@PaulineMontagna]

I’m rather bemused at the idea of Henry as Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope. Considering his tendencies, he would have reigned in the style of the Borgias, I’m sure.

[@Lucius1958]

*"I leave to various futures (not to all) this garden of forking paths."* - Jorge Luis Borges This game of 'what if' may be entertaining; but there are too many variables to predict much beyond Arthur's survival and probable accession to the crown. History is a complex web: any thread broken could lead to unknown and uncounted consequences.

[@sydneyandress9248]

Love this Dr. Kat!! What an interesting, thought provoking concept! It would be interesting to do one of these with the what if Anne Boleyn’s baby had been a boy

[@susannaheanes]

Fascinating premise, and I agree that the world and England in particular would have been a very different place had historical events turned out thusly. Thanks yet again for a splendid video.

[@SingBlueSilver-m7t]

I've always found this to be so remarkable. It's incredible how one person's death literally changed the course of history.

[@annebutler5169]

I love your videos. This one was very interesting and lots of fun. Please make more like it.

[@emilydawson9292]

What a fabulous video?! I thibk it’s my favorite so far. More speculative-retrospective-butterfly-effect- counter factual histories please?! Such a fun game to play a bit like pick your own adventure with the additional benefit that it challenges you to consider motivations, psychologies, all of it from fresh and multiple angles! Thank you!

[@Pattygblanco]

This is definitely my favorite what-if video ❤ It's amazing to think how different the world would have been had it Arthur survived

[@eshim3961]

Dr. Kat's analysis are always amazingly well thought out and presented. The scenario epitomizes the idea of a butterfly effect.

[@roslynholcomb]

I had not considered the possibility of an earlier English contact with the New World. Interesting. I’ve often wondered what would’ve happened if Catherine of Aragon had gone to a convent as Henry wanted.

[@glorialange6446]

❤❤❤❤❤ great content. The "what ifs" are always fun.

[@rockytop2773]

✨This was one of my favorites of your counter-factual history. Really enjoyed the conjecture of what would have become of King Arthur and Queen Catherine. And the speculation of Henry's ecclesiastical journey was quite interesting. However, I do wonder if Arthur would have suffered from the same issues that Henry had since we now believe it was his seed that was responsible for the defects and still births. Anyway...loved it Dr. Kat!

[@Itsfineweerallfine]

If the timeline were as you described, it would have been a completely different, and perhaps better, world! It’s amazing how one life lost can have such a cascading effect on history, and the present! Excellent video as always! Thank you for all you do! ❤🙏🏽👑

[@davidbrewer9030]

Fascinating. Thank you. Another what if would be what if Queen Victoria's Prince Albert lived as long as she did.

[@johnlovesme]

🤴👸 👑 💂‍♀️🏵️🏰 I think Henry and Catherine’s troubles with conceiving was likely Henry’s considering his lack of children across his marriages so I think Arthur and Catherine would have been more successful in that department.

[@lynnedelacy2841]

Depends on genetics I guess if Arthur had the same problems

[@louisemerriman1079]

I've often wondered about this ? Thankyou

[@Dr.TobiasFunke]

really enjoyed this one.., thank you. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

[@bihottie26]

I stumbled on your channel while browsing at the gym. Pretty cool!!!

[@nfrancis47]

This was very entertaining! Ty

[@TheMehamil85]

I am fascinated by the idea of 'this small change' with one single person has an effect on the literal history of the world.

[@erinhalloran7407]

Such a fun thought experiment!

[@dnister_nymph]

Thank you for such an interesting “what if” video

[@jen1778]

I really enjoy this type of video. ❤

[@wendyk.6987]

Great video! I always wonder how things might have been different if Henrys younger brother Edmund had lived....would Henry have been satisfied with his brother as an heir?

[@Lucyverre]

If Henry XIII would have become a Cardinal, I'm sure it wouldn't have been without mistresses and children. Because in addition to his interest in religion, he was also a very physical man. And my thought is that Catherine of Aragon would no doubt have lived longer, considering that she spent her last years in such miserable circumstances. 👨‍👩‍👦

[@tararose3790]

Great video. Thank you 😊

[@sarahwatts7152]

I'm not entirely certain Catharine would have stepped aside for Arthur to remarry; she was raised by a woman who wielded such power herself, raised with certain expectations. This entire possible history is hard to guess at though, we don't seem to know much about Arthur at all. (I do like the idea of Henry as Pope though, he'd have liked that)

[@lynneperry7454]

I agree. She wouldn’t step aside for Henry despit all his bullying, I doubt very much she would have done so for Arthur as why should she leave what she would regard (was) a True Marriage.

[@AnastasiaRoseDamrau]

I think part of the reason she would never step aside for Henry to remarry, though, was how he bungled it. She *might* have agreed if he had discussed it with her, rather than leaving it for someone else to strong-arm her into. It wasn't a particularly unusual request; it had never happened in England, but it had been done before in France and Spain. If Arthur had presented the idea in the right way, and she hadn't had seven years of waiting to become attached to the idea that God was testing her in preparation for her destiny as Queen of England ... maybe.

[@starrywizdom]

Dr. Kat's imminently pleasant voice + fun with counterfactuals in history = happy Starry! Edit: wow wow wow, the fact that I even ended up being born & speaking English might be down to poor old Arthur Tudor's early demise? MIND BLOWN! 👦Henry👦Lancelot👧Elizabeth👧Guinevere (Arthur & Catherine's hypothetical bebehs)

[@Mamaki1987]

Interesting thoughts. If Arthur and Cathrene had plenty of surviving children, the would not be the anglican church as we know it today for sure. Especially if those children also had children before he died. But if not I wonder if Arthur would have been content with the fact that his brother would claim the throne after him. Even more so if he also didn't have sons with whomever would have been his wife then.

[@cannett8966]

I have often wondered about Arthur as king. I decided that he couldn't be worse than Henry! Cee from the little haunted cottage in ireland 💚💚💚🍀🍀🍀

[@lauramason5667]

This lecture has blown my mind. I’ve always thought of Henry the eighth turning way from the Catholic Church is what was the pedal move for England. Now I’m rethinking this and thinking how your father hadn’t died they would’ve remained Catholic in the country would be so different in so many ways. Thank you for the most enlightening talk.

[@haleylitman9654]

Was really looking forward to this video! You never disappoint. As for the royal family I’d say: 🧒🏻👧🏻👧🏻👧🏻🧒🏻🧒🏻👧🏻

[@Lisa_B-S]

I wonder if Queen Elizabeth would have died in childbirth - I think that one of the reasons she was pregnant again was due to Arthur dying and them only ahving on heir. If he was still alive, there may not have been that pressure to have another male heir

[@tricorvus2673]

I enjoyed this so much

[@miccobgf1957]

If Arthur and Catherine only had one surviving child, a girl, named Mary, it’s possible that a union of crowns might have taken place - but perhaps with a European country: Spain, the HRE, or even France!

[@christinesaaty215]

This was fascinating. 😊

[@nancycampbell8671]

Fantastic and thoughtful exercise in "What if?"

[@marcusfridh8489]

The two most important diffrences would be, no henry and Cathrine of aragon so no anne bolyn, wich means no reformation nor any queen elizabeth.

[@mellowfishie]

Super-fascinating! Thank you for this brain-food!

[@AudeB87]

Very interesting, thank you 😊

[@DakotaFord592]

i needed this!!!!!

[@JuliaOliveira-my2ze]

Loved it! ❤