Sibling Squabbles in the Tudor Nursery

Henry VIII was the only King of England to have all three of his
children inherit the throne. Typically, all a King’s children
would be in the succession until the King died. Not so if the
King is Henry VIII! 

Desperate for a son, Henry actually disinherited both of his
daughters. He disinherited Mary when Elizabeth born (the First
Succession Act was passed in 1534) because he claimed the
marriage to Katherine of Aragon was not valid. He disinherited
Elizabeth when killed her mother (the Second Succession Act was
passed in 1536) because he claimed the marriage to Anne Boleyn
was not valid. For several years after he was born, Edward was
only heir. Finally, in 1543, Henry enacted the Third Succession
Act, which returned Mary and Elizabeth to the
succession. 

All these changes affected the children as they grew and then as
all three took the throne. Their relationships with Henry, with
various stepmothers, and with each other shaped the rest of their
lives.


History shows us what's possible.