Who would be in line to the UK throne but for the Battle of Bosworth field?

Question

I was just watching a documentary on Richard III, Henry Tudor etc. and wondered where would the British line of succession be now had Henry Tudor not challenged and defeated Richard III at Bosworth and created the Tudor dynasty. I believe that Richard left no direct legitimate heirs and Henry (as Henry VII) effectively dispatched any remaining Plantaganets with a claim to the throne during the early part of his reign. Assuming that both Edward V and Richard, Duke of York (the "Princes in the Tower") both predeceased their uncle and no further breaks in the succession due to warfare etc., who would now be the rightful monarch of Britain? At what point would Henry's wife, Elizabeth of York (daughter of Edward IV) have become the rightful monarch, despite her gender? Would that effectively mean that Henry Tudor legitimised his own dynasty's right to succession, based upon his wife's crown, rather than his own? A family tree / graphical representation would be good!

(I've also posted this question in Society & Culture (Royalty) - wasn't sure where it best fit!)

Answer 1

Henry VII considered himself to be a legitimate claimant to the throne. His marriage to Elizabeth York helped quiet York supporters down, but he didn't marry her to cement his claim to the throne. This is something people wrongfully believe all the time though, but Henry VII was adamant that he, not his wife, was the monarch.



This is an easy question to answer because Richard III did in fact name his nephew as his heir. He first named the son of his elder brother, George, as his heir, but then changed his mind to another nephew, the son of his sister. He probably changed his mind because his first nephew may have been retarded.



Elizabeth York wouldn't become the rightful monarch until all of her male cousins had died.

Answer 2

'Would that effectively mean that Henry Tudor legitimized his own dynasty's right to succession, based upon his wife's crown, rather than his own? "



Actually that is a very cogent summary of exactly what happened. Excellent for you!



The Tudor's more or less invented public relations. Because they did not have a very valid blood claim on the throne they had spin control people who told a story that is more or less intact today. Sometimes it is called the "Tudor Myth". The story was that dark forces had taken control of England when Edward III died, It was a time of chaos and disruption. The veil was lifted at Bosworth Field when the true unifying force had taken control.



However, Richard III was a very young man at Bosworth Field despite the number of times you have seen an older actor play the part. Had he lived, he would have remarried and sired a legitimate heir.

Answer 3

Oddly adequate its rather like Hiroshima... i tend to have knocked each and everything off the mattress... inc pillows... its like a barron bleak panorama... small airborne dirt and mud bunnies are left blowing gently around the terrain

Answer 4

Richard III dear girl.