Bastard Prince
by Beverley A Murphy (9780750937092)

It took Henry VIII 28 years, three wives, and a break with Rome before he secured a legitimate male heir. Yet he already had the illegitimate Henry Fitzroy. Fitzroy was born in 1519 after the king's affair with a Shropshire gentlewoman, Elizabeth Blount. He was the only illegitimate offspring ever acknowledged by Henry VIII, and Cardinal Wolsey was even one of his godparents. Created Duke of Richmond, he was educated as befitted a Renaissance prince and the offices bestowed upon him included Lord Lieutenant of the North and Lord Admiral of England; indeed rumours abounded that Henry VIII intended to make him King of Ireland. Widely reported to resemble his father, in both looks and character, he weathered the difficult years of the Reformation far better than either his sisters. This work examines just how close he came to being crowned King Henry VIX of England.

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