We would have gone Protestant without Henry VIII - to go back to that other alternative mentioned. If you look at maps of the areas which Reformed, it is clear that we are part of that geographic distribution. The map also plots against that of the extent of the Hanse - which introduced a degree of independence for the mercantile class, among whom Protestantism spread. This latter hypothesis is mine alone.

I like a good alternative as well as anyone, but if England going Protestant was only due to Henry, Mary would have succeeded in restoring Catholicism, and no-one would have been prepared to die for Reform. Scotland, of course, would have reformed anyway.

In the Rex Mundi books, does sorcery work? And what has happened to Islamic science? Science in general? (Look which countries it began in.)

Why is there an Inquisition if it was not in a position to start up against Islam and Judaism in Spain?

Has anyone read Harry Harrison's three books set before the conquest with conflict between Christians and pagans, and a grail that turns out to be a ladder?

Penny