This became the orthodox Lancastrian theory (_cf._ Fortescue, _Governance of England_, ed.

Plummer, pp.

352-55).] [Footnote 515: Stubbs, _Const.

Hist._, iii., 58.
This Act was, however, repealed before the end of the same year.] The objection to female sovereigns was grounded not so much on male disbelief in their personal qualifications, as upon the inevitable consequence of matrimonial and dynastic problems.[516] If the Princess Mary succeeded, was she to marry?
If not, her death would leave (p.

181) the kingdom no better provided with heirs than before; and in her weak state of health, her death seemed no distant prospect.