George was popular with Henry and was a highly respected diplomat and politician. By May 1536 he had already attended six embassies to France and had a good working relationship with Francis I. However, George was well known for his reformist views, which up until the ‘Affair of the Placards’ in October 1534, Francis had been tolerant of. Following Francis’ change of attitude towards the refomist movement it’s difficult to say what kind of reception George would have received at the French court had his diplomatic career continued. As Henry trusted George, Francis may have been placed in a position of having to accept him as diplomat, particularly as Henry was intending to carry out his preferred option of playing France off against Spain following the death of Catherine. I personally think George’s diplomatic career would have continued, whatever Francis’ views on reform were.
George was also committed to the Schmalkalden League so perhaps his diplomatic career would have involved a German element. Following the fall of the Boleyns the attempt at an alliance fizzled out, but had they have survived then it may have continued.
George would certainly have continued with his political career as a member of Parliament and a member of the House of Lords. He was prominant in the Reformation Parliament too. But again, there has to be a question mark over his continued committment to the Reformation Parliament. Anne and George were united in their reformist views, and already Anne was showing descent at how monastic funds were being used. Bearing in mind how close Anne and George were, and the extent to which their views and opinions meshed, I have no doubt that George shared her stance (in fact, I’m sure of it bearing in mind a comment he made to Kingston following his condemnation).
I’m sure George was ambitious enough to put his personal feelings behind him and get on with whatever Henry expected of him, but it wouldn’t have been easy, particularly as both siblings were outspoken and forthright. Disappoint his sister or disappoint the King? I think if the siblings had survived then there may have came a point when George would have found himself in an impossible position.

Welcome back Louise, I have missed your input.

If George had not been purged I imagine Jane would have fallen pregnant had a child and all these silly rumours and accusations of a loveless marriage would not exist.

I imagine, George would have become similar to the Seymour brothers in regards to how they gain position at court and within Henry’s men of importance. Oh and George definitely would have been inducted into the Garter that he was denied.

Hi Louise,
So good to have you back with us. We missed you!

Oh dear! I did a post above then went in to amend it, mainly because I have the spelling ability of a five year old, and have just noticed I managed to delete it instead. I wish I could remember whether it was any good!
Anyway, Anyanka, I think George was certainly as capable as Edward Seymour, so I see no reason why he wouldn’t have been appointed Lord Protector to a niece or nephew. Although if Anne was still alive at the time I doubt she would have allowed him an entirely free decision making process!

Just found this on a BBC history site regarding the executions of these innocent men: “Apart from Lord Rochford, the convicted men suffered painful deaths by public hanging and disembowlment”. What hope is there when this sort of inaccuracy appears on a BBC site? I hope this link works as I’m pretty rubbish on computers. If not it can be found on a search of: BBC-History-Anne Boleyn and the downfall of her family. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/b…..n_01.shtml

at Bill

I couldn’t get past the introduction. I’m lucky that way. I see one inconsistancy and I can’t be bothered with the rest of the article. Saves my head from hitting the desk all the time.
I have enough headaches.

If Anne was still queen when Henry died then she wouldn’t have remained regent until Elizabeth reached majority, in the same way that Catherine Parr didn’t remain regent until Edward reached majority. Anne was only queen due to her marriage to Henry. That marriage didn’t make her queen in her own right. On Henry’s death Elizabeth would have been queen automatically, it was just a question of who acted as Lord Protector until she was old enough to take over her rightful position. Whether Anne could have taken over that role is a question I don’t know the answer to, but whether a none royal born woman would have been acceptable is debatable. I think George would have been the obvious choice, because as Sharon says he was certainly as capable as Edward Seymour, in addition to which he had diplomatic experience which would have made him the perfect person to undertake the role. Plus the fact Edward was not universally liked and I’ve read letters in the Lisle Letters which show him in a bad light, whereas on the whole George appears to have been popular and well thought of.