We may have solved one historical puzzle, but in so doing, we opened up a whole new one, Prof Kevin Schurer, who was the genealogy specialist on the paper, told BBC News. Investigation of the male genealogy focused on the Y chromosome, a package of DNA that is passed down from father to son, much like a surname. Most living male heirs of the 5th Duke of Beaufort were found to carry a relatively common Y chromosome type, which is different from the rare lineage found in the car park remains. Richard III and his royal rival, Henry Tudor (later Henry VII), were both descendants of King Edward III. The infidelity could, in theory, have occurred either on the branch leading back from Henry to Edward or on the branch leading from Richard to Edward. Henrys ancestor John of Gaunt was plagued by rumours of illegitimacy throughout his life, apparently prompted by the absence of Edward III at his birth. He was reportedly enraged by gossip suggesting he was the son of a Flemish butcher. Hypothetically speaking, if John of Gaunt wasnt Edward IIIs son, it would have meant that (his son) Henry IV had no legitimate claim to the throne, nor Henry V, nor Henry VI, said Dr Schurer. Asked whether a break in the branch of the tree leading to the Tudors could have implications for the legitimacy of the present-day royal family, Dr Schurer replied: Royal succession isnt straightforward inheritance from fathers to sons, and/or daughters. History has taken a series of twists and turns.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 07:08:37 +0000
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