And yes, it's almost anticlimactic, isn't it, that the only truly "expected" Tudor ruler who actually ascended the throne never even reached adulthood, while all the others had to overcome significant odds not only to become rulers in the first place but also to hold on to the crown. Then again, undoubtedly that's what ultimately made them so strong -- Henry VIII and Elizabeth I especially.
Thank you! It wasn't even something I had taken note of until someone made an off-hand comment about it at the medieval studies conference I went to & my wheels started turning. ;-)
And yes, it's almost anticlimactic, isn't it, that the only truly "expected" Tudor ruler who actually ascended the throne never even reached adulthood, while all the others had to overcome significant odds not only to become rulers in the first place but also to hold on to the crown. Then again, undoubtedly that's what ultimately made them so strong -- Henry VIII and Elizabeth I especially.