Heir Anxiety in Renaissance Europe

Henry VIII is infamous for his obsessive quest for a male
heir—but he was far from the only Renaissance monarch haunted by
fertility struggles. Across Europe, kings faced intense pressure
to produce sons, especially in France, where Salic law strictly
required male succession. From Louis XII’s desperate annulment
and Anne of Brittany’s heartbreaking losses, to Catherine de'
Medici’s decade-long battle with infertility, this episode
explores how fertility issues shaped royal marriages, alliances,
and even wars. Discover how these intimate struggles in royal
bedchambers changed the political landscape of Europe forever.


https://www.englandcast.com/springbreak2025 for information on
the Spring Break adventure.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.