Talk:Alternative successions to the English and British Crown

New-ish book with good sources

Has anyone here read the book Last White Rose by Desmond Seward? It's a cracking good read, and contains information about the Yorkist line during the Tudor Era. Clearly this line is noteworthy. Perhaps some stuff from it could be included in this article? Arthur Figgis (talk) 10:53, 1 October 2010 (UTC)

clarify the lists

In the Tudor list, I can't tell whether the numbers mean generations, or position in the order of succession, or a mix of the two, or something else again. Is Elizabeth Brownlow a daughter of Margaret Brydges? If her number means anything, shouldn't Henry VIII and his issue be listed before Mary, and every elder sibling in their appropriate place even if they never would have inherited? Tree format would make this clearer.

Also, the phrase "nth line" could stand to be explained somewhere. —Tamfang (talk) 20:34, 22 October 2010 (UTC)

The numbers 1. 2. etc show the direct bloodline/descent from the last "proper", "legitimate" de facto monarch through to the current claimant. From parent-child-child etc. This does NOT necessarily contain all the de jure monarchs, as the claim often passed through a sibling(if the de jure monarch had no children), or passed directly to a grandchild(if the child of the de jure monarch predeceased their parent). The information in the boxes shows the people who were the de jure monarchs in order with what should have been their titles.

The numbering does however pass to siblings, when a particular line reaches its end. Also, in the Jacobite claim, listing the de jure Henry IX, which some people may take to mean he was the de jure Charles III's son, unless of course they actually read the article, and the notes, which are of course, precisely why they are there. That was also the reason for the inclusion of the phrase "as such", which someone has deemed inappropriate, although it did clarify things somewhat. 137.158.152.209 (talk) 09:06, 1 November 2010 (UTC)

So if I understand you right, the numbered persons are anyone who would have inherited according to the theory under consideration plus their intervening ancestors if any. Okay. The text could say so explicitly, rather than mislabeling the entire list as "the succession" and relying on the reader to have found the note elsewhere that says what the italics mean. Removing the numbers, or numbering only the hypothetical successors (and perhaps indenting the non-inheriting parent), would improve clarity far more than the mysterious phrase "as such". —Tamfang (talk) 20:53, 5 November 2010 (UTC)

Any claims of succession, etc need reliable sources making those claims. We can't point to any theories, laws, etc as references as that is WP:Original researchDougweller (talk) 21:20, 5 November 2010 (UTC)

Huh? Are you saying that as such means 'according to a reliable source', or that changing or removing the numbers would be OR, or what? —Tamfang (talk) 07:55, 6 November 2010 (UTC)

No he isn't from what I can gather. a) The boxes on the right are the lists of would-have-been or "de jure" Monarchs had that particular succession resulted at the time. b) The lists which follow (as such) are the direct bloodline from the last "Legitimate" Monarch to the present "de jure" Monarch. This does not necessarily include all the Monarchs, as many (such as the Jacobite Francis I) left no issue. Likewise not all the people in these lists would have been "de jure" Monarchs, as they may have predeceased their parent or elder sibling, who was the "De jure" Monarch at the time.

Using actual "de facto" Monarchs as an example, and starting with the "de facto" George I as an example .The box on the right would include George I, George II, George III, George IV, William IV, Victoria, Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, George VI, and Elizabeth II. These were the Monarchs.

However, the succession following (as such) would go... George I, George II, Frederick Prince of Wales, George III, Edward Duke of Kent, Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI, Elizabeth II. This is the direct bloodline from George I to Elizabeth II. Neither Prince Frederick nor Edward Duke of Kent were ever King, but it is their direct bloodline that leads from George I to Elizabeth II. Likewise, George IV, William IV, and Edward VIII WERE all Monarchs but are not in the direct bloodline from George I to Elizabeth II. 41.133.47.252 (talk) 10:01, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

Article seems to be almost entirely original research

Most of the article is original research -- anything that starts "Her succession, under this theory, " is WP:OR. All of Descendants of Mary Tudor, Queen of France is OR (and has one source which I think can't be considered a reliable source, see WP:RS, None of the genealogies has a reliable source, all seem to have been constructed by editors of this article. Dougweller (talk) 08:14, 6 November 2010 (UTC)

The phrase "under this theory" recognizes the existence of competing theories; how is that OR? Does the word theory bug you? Is there another wording that would smell better to you? —Tamfang (talk) 17:54, 6 November 2010 (UTC)

No, I mean that it appears that a 'theory' has been used to compile that section, not a reliable source. Dougweller (talk) 18:13, 6 November 2010 (UTC)

Agree. Each basic premise is sourced (at least for the first two alternatives), but the presentation of how each premise would play out is entirely WP:OR. I'm also confused as to how the line in the second alternative jumps from Henry VII to (his daughter) Mary Tudor, missing out his son (Henry VIII), grandson (Edward IV) & grandaughter Mary Tudor. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 15:30, 7 November 2010 (UTC)

See, I'm not the only one unhappy with the list format. —Tamfang (talk) 18:19, 7 November 2010 (UTC)

Actually, I'm saying that each of the lists is entirely WP:OR -- 'formatting' is the least of their worries. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 18:35, 7 November 2010 (UTC)

Anne Stanley, Countess of Castlehaven is completely unsourced. The first list can be sourced, [1] but it may be copyvio. Dougweller (talk) 19:42, 7 November 2010 (UTC)

Okay, 1) the Jacobite line is not OR, having been traced repeatedly by numerous reliable sources. That Franz Herzog von Bayern is the Jacobite heir can easily be sourced to reliable sources, as can the succession of all his predecessors. 2) the Clarence line is arguably not OR, having been the subject of a TV special - they interviewed Loudoun, so it's not entirely OR how that premise plays out. I don't think a family tree can be a copyright violation, and, at any rate, there are plenty of genealogical sources that can be used to trace the descent here. 3) The Tudor thing is probably OR, but I don't think it's because the genealogy itself is OR, so much as because it is full of questionable premises (that Catherine Grey's children should be considered illegitimate; that children from the union of a divorced person should not be considered legitimate) that cannot be substantiated. What is wrong with all of this is not, so much, OR, as notability - these lines can be substantiated through use of reliable genealogies and application of simple rules of primogeniture (which is not a novel synthesis), but they aren't really notable, especially the particular formulations found here. john k (talk) 19:58, 7 November 2010 (UTC)

If these sources exist for these lists (and are reliable), then CITE THE LISTS TO THEM (easiest done by putting the citation after the colon that introduces the list). I would however question whether a "TV special", especially one that isn't fronted by a prominent historian, is reliable. Please read WP:BURDEN. This material has been challenged. It is now up to the supporters of this material to provide inline citations for them. Simply stating that references exist somewhere for them isn't sufficient. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 06:19, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

Well, Addington's Royal House of Stuart ought to work for the Jacobite line. For other sources, if you go through thePeerage.com, starting with Clarence, you can trace the descent, and sources are provided for each generation - for example Burke's Peerage and Cokayne's Complete Peerage - down through the 10th Countess of Loudoun. After that, the most recent peerage editions of the peerage guides ought to work. The genealogies themselves can be figured out pretty easily. The real issue is why we are giving these particular genealogies. Worrying about sourcing the genealogies is a red herring, and sourcing them won't actually deal with any of the very real problems of this article. john k (talk) 08:03, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

"trac[ing] the descent" through thePeerage.com would be WP:OR (for instance you would have to work out why the descent goes through Clarence's younger daughter Margeret, not his elder son Edward). The article should have a single source for each entire list (anything less is WP:SYNTH). "Worrying about sourcing the genealogies is a red herring..." READ WP:V! "Worrying about sourcing" is at the very core of Wikipedia. If you don't want to worry about it, then you're welcome to find some other encyclopedia to edit. Either find & include citations, or expect the material to be removed. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 08:27, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

Original synthesis only applies when you are using the synthesis to advance a novel position. Given that the position in question (that the present Earl of Loudoun is the heir-general of the Duke of Clarence) is not a novel one, but was, in fact, the subject of a Channel 4 TV special, among other things, combining multiple sources to put together the line of descent is not an original synthesis. I suppose that is a somewhat narrow construction of what is original synthesis, but I think a somewhat narrow construction is necessary or else the work of creating an encyclopedia becomes virtually impossible - a broad construction would pretty much forbid any synthesis whatever. As to why the descent goes through Clarence's elder daughter, Margaret, and not his younger son, Edward, Edward died unmarried at 25, and left no issue. One can certainly find plenty of sources that trace the Clarence descent from Clarence himself to the 3rd Earl of Huntingdon and explicitly link that to the succession in order to explain Huntingdon's status as a possible successor to Elizabeth I when she nearly died of smallpox. At any rate, the Channel 4 site Doug linked to above explicitly gives the lineage as an alternate royal succession; using reliable genealogical sources to fill it out is pretty clearly not original synthesis. Beyond that, it is a WP:POINT violation to remove material which could be sourced, but is not. And my point about sourcing wasn't that I don't want the lists removed. I think that, with the exception of the Jacobite one (are you still claiming that's OR?), they don't really belong here. Demanding sources is a red herring because the article needs a massive overhaul even if sources can be found. Pinning demands for change to this article on questions of OR just creates an opportunity to save what is a terrible article regardless of sourcing. If you read through the whole history of this talk page, you can see my criticisms of the article in some detail. john k (talk) 15:36, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

"Given that the position in question (that the present Earl of Loudoun is the heir-general of the Duke of Clarence) is not a novel one..." Then cite a WP:RS that takes "the position in question"! "As to why the descent goes through Clarence's elder daughter, Margaret, and not his younger son, Edward, Edward died unmarried at 25, and left no issue." Wrong! Margaret was the younger daughter by three years, Edward the elder by two. He may have died without issue, but survived his father by 11 years (so would presumably have inherited). In any case, such analysis is WP:OR. "Beyond that, it is a WP:POINT violation to remove material which could be sourced, but is not." You still haven't read WP:V yet have you? It clearly states that "The burden of evidence lies with the editor who adds or restores material. Any material lacking a reliable source directly supporting it may be removed." (Emphasis in the original.) "Demanding sources is a red herring because the article needs a massive overhaul even if sources can be found." Then stop defending the existing, unsourced material and write new, better, sourced material. Defending poorly written, unsourced material is the very epitome of WP:POINT. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 16:52, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

1) It was the subject of a television documentary. That seems close enough to a reliable source. There are numerous reliable sources discussing the earlier portion of the line (up through the 3rd Earl of Huntingdon, at least), although I don't have any at hand (The ODNB article about Huntingdon talks about his claim to the throne, though). 2) Edward was born in 1475, and Margaret was born in 1473; at any rate, Edward would indeed have succeeded, but I think the list is the line of descent from Clarence to Loudoun, not the list of monarchs. That could perhaps be changed. 3) Disrupting wikipedia to make a point is disrupting wikipedia to make a point. If there's a statement you believe to be true, but that is not sourced, it is a POINT violation to remove it just because it's not sourced, unless it's a BLP issue. I think removing the Jacobite material as being unsourced would clearly be a POINT violation; a quick google search easily reveals numerous sources - Here's an article from a few years ago in the Daily Record, which mentions the Duke of Bavaria's claim; Here and Here is the 1911 Britannica article on the Jacobites, which traces their succession down to Queen Marie Thérèse of Bavaria, showing also her eldest son Ruprecht and his sons, the second of whom, Albert, was the father of the current claimant (it does skip over Charles Emmanuel IV and Francis V of Modena, but other sources could be found on them, too). Simply going into wikipedia with the attitude that you're going to remove any unsourced material is not helpful. 4) I am not defending the current material, so much as defending against an interpretation of OR and Verifiability that I find distasteful. 5) I have laid out what I think is wrong with the article; I am under no obligation to write new, better, sourced material. We're all working on wikipedia for no money, and I'm not in any position to be writing full, well-researched articles at the moment. It is unfair to demand such a thing of other volunteers you know nothing about. 6) As it stands, the article is terrible. john k (talk)

"If there's a statement you believe to be true, but that is not sourced, it is a POINT violation to remove it just because it's not sourced, unless it's a BLP issue." "The burden of evidence lies with the editor who adds or restores material. Any material lacking a reliable source directly supporting it may be removed." Nothing about an exception if "you believe [it] to be true" -- and I have no particular reason to believe this steaming pile of apparent WP:OR to be true in any case. The alternatives are citations for existing material, deletion of existing material, or new, cited, material. That you find the explicit text of WP:V "distasteful" is your problem. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 18:23, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

I'm going to ignore the Anne Stanley line, which I agree is indefensible. The Jacobite line is easily documentable - there are tons of press clippings talking about the present Duke of Bavaria being the Jacobite heir; there were tons of press clippings before 1996 saying the same thing about his father Albrecht; there's the Britannica article from 1911 that traces the line down to Albrecht's father Rupprecht. I've seen records of parliamentary debates in the nineteenth century in which the fact that the Duke of Modena was the Jacobite heir was mentioned. I've already pointed you to the Channel 4 material that makes the case for Loudoun's claim to the British throne, and to the fact that this is supported by reliable genealogical sources. I don't think there's any reasonable case that either of these lines is "OR," and I think synthesizing material that makes explicit, but general, claims about Jacobite (or "Yorkist") claimants with material that explicitly details the genealogy is appropriate, because no novel claim is being made. As for verifiability, there is tons and tons of material on wikipedia that is not cited yet. The proper thing to do, unless one has reason to believe the material is incorrect, is to add citation needed tags where appropriate, or to add a notice about the lack of sourcing at the top of the article, not to just remove information wholesale. john k (talk) 20:11, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

John K: you keep waffling on vaguely about "tons of press clippings", and the like, ad infinitum. I really don't care. Unless somebody (you, another editor, the Easter Bunny) is willing to either cite the existing material, or replace it with cited material, then this material will, eventually, be deleted. Before you demand that I do so myself: (i) I have no background in geneology (I only came here in response to a post on WP:FTN) & (ii) I've already got my hands full trying to plan out a major rewrite of History of Creationism. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 03:03, 9 November 2010 (UTC)

Waffling vaguely? I have given specific sources on the Jacobite line above. Here is an article from the Telegraph yesterday which refers to Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria as the former Jacobite claimant. Here are some people writing letters to a British periodical in 1854 to correct an error it had made, apparently in its obituary of Charles III of Parma, and note that the then present Duke of Modena was the Jacobite claimant. Here is the Illustrated American, tracing the Jacobite line, and mentioning a bit in Disraeli's Endymion where some of the characters discuss the Duke of Modena being the rightful king. john k (talk) 20:27, 9 November 2010 (UTC)

BTW, here's WP:V: How quickly [removal of uncited material] should happen depends on the material and the overall state of the article. Editors might object if you remove material without giving them time to provide references. It has always been good practice to make reasonable efforts to find sources yourself that support such material, and cite them. john k (talk) 20:20, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

Odd, I don't remember ever making a deadline for citing/deleting/replacing the material. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 03:03, 9 November 2010 (UTC)

From George Duke Of Clarence to Michael Abney-Hastings

The article apparently uses the "Britain's Real Monarch" programme/website and the "Regnal Chronologies" website as sources for this succession. However, both of those have a different actual succession, recognising everyone(excluding the bogus "Edward V") up to Richard III as Rightful Monarchs. The succession then begins with The Earl of Warwick as "Edward V" and follows, including female succession, up to the present de jure King Michael I. However, the wikipedia article begins with Henry IV usurping Richard II's crown, acknowledging the Legitimist "Edmund I" instead. While under a strictly Legitimist and Monarchist position, not recognising the Lancastrians would be correct, neither of the sources use this method, and only begin 86 years later with the assassination of Richard III, and his proper Legitimist successor Edward Earl of Warwick. Likewise, people such as Blessed Margaret Pole and Catherine Hastings ARE recognised as de jure Monarchs, unlike in the article. In addition, referring to people such as Edmund Mortimer and Richard Duke of York as "descendants" of The Duke of Clarence is not entirely accurate.

The problem is that the article follows a strict Legitimist position, but neither of the sources do. I realise that there are numerous factual errors on the "Regnal Chronologies" site. However still using the "Britain's real Monarch" show/website, as well as records of the time, it would appear that people DID recognise Margaret Pole as being a Rightful Queen Regnant. However, people also DID recognise Edmund Mortimer and Richard Duke of York as Rightful Kings too. Perhaps the problem is that this is conflating two separate "alternate successions", although this single (conflated) succession IS the strictly Legitimist one... 41.133.47.252 (talk) 10:12, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

I would concur, largely. It should perhaps be noted that Edmund Mortimer and Richard, Duke of York, were descendants of a different Duke of Clarence, Lionel. john k (talk) 14:23, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

You are aware that the "Regnal Chronologies" website is simply the self-published website of some random SCA guy? It is nowhere close to being a WP:RS. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 15:09, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

Yeah, Regnal Chronologies is definitely not a reliable source. john k (talk) 19:36, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

Anne Stanley or Edward Seymour

Having read the actual sources, it appears that when Elizabeth I lay on her deathbed, the only possible heir to the Last Will og Henry VIII considered was Edward Seymour. While, apparent logic dictates that Anne Stanley was the heir of the Will, let's not forget that Elizabeth herself was regarded as illegitimate, yet succeeded, thanks to the Third Succession Act and Will of Henry VIII. Besides any OR and something similar, is there a Reliable Source which states that indeed Lady Anne Stanley, rather than Edward Seymour would have been the heir of the Last Will of Henry VIII? 41.133.47.252 (talk) 08:25, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

Yes, had Elizabeth named Anne her successor, Seymour being descended from the eldest daughter of Mary Tudor would have contested it and emerged the victor. Catherine Grey's sons were both born to her after she had married William Seymour.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 08:29, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

Sourcing for 'Continuation of the House of Stuart' section

The sole citation for this section, is to The Jacobite Heritage a WP:SELFPUBlished site, maintained by:

Noel S. McFerran received the degree Bachelor of Arts (in Classical Studies) from the University of British Columbia, Canada, in 1985 and the degree Master of Library Science from the same institution in 1988. He received the degree Master of Arts (in Theology) from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Pennsylvania, in 1997.

For fifteen years he has worked as a professional librarian in public and academic libraries in Canada and the United States. Since 1998 he has been Head of Public Services in the John M. Kelly Library of the University of Saint Michael's College, one of the federated universities of the University of Toronto.

Apart from his interest in the present (Jacobite) Royal Family, he is most interested in the life of Queen Mary of Modena, the reign of King Henry IX and I, and the religious aspects of the Jacobite movement. He is a life member of the Royal Stuart Society. He is also Assistant to the Editor of English Reformation Sources, an online collection of primary documents about the history of the Reformation in England.

...in other words an amateur with no particular expertise in genealogy, history or historical laws of inheritance. I would suggest that this is not a WP:RS. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 09:41, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

I don't think that Hrafn is very familiar with Jacobite publications, organisations, or current activities. If he were, my name would be familiar to him. He describes me as "in other words an amateur", when in fact those are his words, and not the words of others. My website is widely regarded as the largest and most reliable source of information about Jacobitism on the internet (I have multiple emails from university faculty as evidence). The fact that I work at Canada's largest university, and that I have permanent status (the librarian equivalent of tenure at the University of Toronto) should count for something. My research has even been funded by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canadian funding organisation for academics. Noel S McFerran (talk) 14:35, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

Are these "Jacobite publications" peer reviewed (other than by fellow Jacobites), or published by recognised, scholarly publishers? Do these Jacobite organisations have any official status as learned genealogical societies? What evidence do you present that either is a WP:RS? What evidence do we have that Jacobitism is anything other than a "tiny minority" view, per WP:WEIGHT? Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 14:56, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

I do not claim that Jacobitism is anything other than a tiny minority view. It is that tiny minority view which is the topic (in part) of this particular article. WP:RS does not require that reliable publications be peer reviewed; if it did, most books could not be listed since it is usually only journal articles which are peer reviewed. The vast majority of sources cited on Wikipedia are not from peer reviewed articles or from books published by scholarly publishers; that does not mean that they are not "reliable". I'm not sure who Hrafn thinks grants organisations "official status as learned genealogical societies". The Royal Stuart Society is widely acknowledged as a learned organisation; it has existed for over eighty years and has had an extensive publications programme, most recently overseen by the acknowledged doyenne of Jacobite studies Eveline Cruickshanks formerly of the University of London. Authors have included Roy Porter, Richard Sharp, Lady Antonia Fraser and Ronald Hutton, as well as other names which are well-known in academic circles even if not having a Wikipedia article. For someone to question the scholarly merit of the society merely shows that the individual is totally unfamiliar with publications in that area. Noel S McFerran (talk) 19:17, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

(i) Wikipedia does however have a policy against use of WP:SELFPUB sources (no matter how "extensive"), except under very restrictive conditions. (ii) I don't particularly care who "grants organisations 'official status'", as long as the group isn't essentially self-appointed (which self-appointment greatly reduces their credibility, outside their tiny minority circle). (iii) As a tiny minority viewpoint, WP:WEIGHT & WP:FRINGE apply. (iv) If you want to cite material from published experts (the rugby union player doesn't count, I'm afraid), then you're welcome to -- however neither you, nor the Jacobite organisations or publications, count as WP:RS. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 04:41, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

There is an official Society which has http://www.royalstuartsociety.com/succession.html

or this(from a reliable source)... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1584184/Act-repeal-could-make-Franz-Herzog-von-Bayern-new-King-of-England-and-Scotland.html

That's just for starters. 41.133.47.252 (talk) 10:11, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

In addition, while the Jacobite Heritage, could in itself possibly be viewed as "amateur", it is full of sources that ARE reliable, and some pages such as http://www.jacobite.ca/essays/ruvigny.htm and http://www.jacobite.ca/documents/18610307a.htm (just two out of numerous) are taken verbatim from reliable sources. These clearly state the order of succession, not as McFerren's POV or OR, but merely as information from reliable Sources that he has gathered together in one place. I do not consider the Jacobite Heritage unreliable, as it is basically more a collection of documents and sources than anything else. 41.133.47.252 (talk) 10:17, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

(edit conflict)(i) The self-appointed 'official' society would hardly count as a scholarly source. (ii) The Telegraph article only verifies the 12th element on the list, not the 10 members on it before him (assuming Chuck I doesn't need a citation). Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 10:19, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

(edit conflict)Melville Henry Massue probably counts as a reliable (if potentially outdated) source on genealogy. I would question however if Constantine Phipps, 1st Marquess of Normanby does. If you can rewrite & resource the section to the former, then you're welcome to do so. But on a quick reading it would not appear to "state the [full] order of succession". Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 10:29, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

Well, there are more than sufficient sources detailing the Jacobite claim up until 1807. Clearly a line runs from "Mary IV and III" to "Francis II". And http://www.jacobite.ca/documents/1701savoy.htm (with listed reliable source) begins the chain. I will like to leave things for Mr Mcferren himself to step in, citing published books etc, before any further decision is taken, but clearly there ARE reliable sources. I must also state that I get the feeling that you may hold some personal prejudice against either Jacobitism or Mr McFerren personally. I apologise if this is untrue, but one does get that feeling. 41.133.47.252 (talk) 10:25, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

If these sources exist, and are reliable -- then cite the relevant portions of the section to them. I am sick and tired of people harping on here on talk that 'sources exist' over and over, but never introducing them into the article. What I am "prejudiced" against is (i) badly cited Wikipedia articles & (ii) pointless blather. "Jacobitism" died two centuries ago at Culloden, and McFerren is no more a reliable source than you or I. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 10:36, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

(Oh, and I own 3 kilts, and can hear a pipe band practicing from my home some evenings -- is that Scots enough for ye, laddie? Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 10:38, 27 November 2010 (UTC) )

And please read WP:AGF, just because someone is dubious about the sources is no reason to suggest they have a bias about the subject matter. If you (the IP, not Hrafn) think this is a reliable source, I believe that you know (I'm assuming from your other edits you've got more experience than your IP edit history suggests)Dougweller (talk) 10:54, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

Well, there you go. Talk of "pointless blather". And the quote '"Jacobitism" died two centuries ago at Culloden'. Certainly the Society listed by me, was derided as "Self-appointed". And the fact that Mr McFerren's website exists at all, would seem to contradict your statement. While it is true that there has been no UPRISING since 1746(though not no sentiment), that is not proof of an end. Does Jeremy Potter's "Pretenders To The English Throne" (ISBN-0-389-20703-9) (p. 1986) meet with your approval?some quotes from the Final Chapter...."When King Victor of Savoy, the then heir to Stuart claims died in 1824 Lord Liverpool, the then prime minister, ordered public mourning on the grounds that many people in Britain regarded him as their rightful king."...."In 1886 the Order of the White Rose was revived." "White Rose Day was celebrated on the anniversary of James III's birth". "...they recognised Mary IV and III." "Today(ie 1986) the Stuart claim to the crowns of England and Scotland rests with Duke Albrecht of Bavaria (b. 1905) and his son Prince Franz (b. 1933)" "...wear kilts and white roses and lay wreaths at the foot of a statue of James VI and I in Munich on appropriate anniversaries." The book also mentions, as other have here REPEATEDLY, that if Jacobitism had indeed died at Culloden, or in 1807, whither then the "Sobieski Stuarts" or "Michael Lafosse"? 41.133.47.252 (talk) 12:26, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

Read WP:SOAPBOX, have a WP:TROUT and get a clue. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 12:47, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

Please do not make personal attacks such as "get a clue". For what it is worth I am not a Jacobite. However to dismiss it as having died in 1746 and writing it in scare quotes, does not make it go away. Is it as prevalent as it was in the 1740's? Absolutely not. Does that mean it can be dismissed out of hand as "pointless blather"? No. Like I said, Mr McFerren(and others) who are more knowledgeable, and can provide far more sources from published books and articles should be allowed to cite THEIR reliable references before any definite conclusion is made. I have never got on a soapbox, and I am merely stating that there ARE reliable sources for this sentiment existing to this day, as well as reliable sources listing the various "Jacobite Monarchs". There is no need for talk such as "get a clue". 41.133.47.252 (talk) 12:52, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

"I am merely stating that there ARE reliable sources" -- and I am merely stating that I am SICK TO DEATH of people on this talk page pointlessly blathering talking on and on and on and on about what sources they think exist -- instead of proving their existence and relevance BY CITING THEM IN THE ARTICLE, thus verifying the article's contents. And if the Royal Stuart Society is not "self appointed", then by all means tell me by what genealogical authority they were appointed. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 13:28, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

You are repeatedly saying here that there are no reliable sources. When those sources are pointed out to you here, you complain that people aren't putting them in the article. As long as you continue to deny that there are any reliable sources, as you have done repeatedly, I don't see any reason why anyone should go through the drudgery of adding citations. The Jacobite line can very easily be sourced. A number of sources have already been pointed out. If you are unwilling to concede the point on the talk page, why should any of us try to document it in the article? john k (talk) 17:29, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

Line of descent of current heir versus line of succession

Currently, the article contains two lists for each theory of succession:

1. A line of descent of the current heir -- which generally appears would be citable to some family tree (not always reliable) cited in the article. Unfortunately the lists heavily truncate the trees (as well as introducing "Xth line of" terminology that is likely to confuse the reader), so that it gives very limited understanding of the succession.
2. A list of succession, that appears to be largely OR.

It generally takes quite a bit of thought to work out how these two lists relate to each other.

My thought is that:

1. We need a reliable source that explicitly details the succession (so that we aren't geting it as WP:Synthesis of the family trees).
2. We should integrate the two lists together, bolding the reigning monarchs, e.g.:

• Henry VII
  • Henry VIII, second son of Henry VII
    • Edward VI, son of Henry VIII
    • Mary, first daughter of Henry VIII
    • Elizabeth I, second daughter of Henry VIII
• Mary Tudor, second daughter of Henry VII
• Lady Eleanor Brandon, second daughter of Mary
• Lady Margaret Clifford, only daughter of Eleanor
• Ferdinando Stanley, 5th Earl of Derby, first son of Margaret
  • Anne, Anne Stanley, Countess of Castlehaven, first daughter of Ferdinando

...

• Lady Frances Stanley, second daughter of Ferdinando

...

(Essentially indenting the lines that died out.)

Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 11:28, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

Well, only you and one other person have had difficulty understanding the way the article is presented. 41.133.47.252 (talk) 12:14, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

Really? And what survey of the articles readers (as opposed to editors) do you base this profound determination upon? Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 12:16, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

In the years-plus this article has existed, only two people have mentioned this problem. One had it explained to him/her and then seemed to disappear. Having checked your edits, it does now appear that you are indeed being critical for the sake of being critical. Your previous comments would seem to imply that your issue is not so much with the article itself, but rather with the fact that '"Jacobitism" died at Culloden', and the fact that it still exists(though admittedly not to the same degree" at all, and has supporters in the Royal Stuart Society or Noel McFerren alone is what irks you. 41.133.47.252 (talk) 12:29, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

Aw, miss me? Sorry I didn't do more to keep up my end of the conversation. —Tamfang (talk) 23:51, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

1. And how many readers simply scratched their heads and went on to an article that was comprehensible? That two editors bothered to comment on it in talk probably means that it isn't particularly clear.
2. It was you who raised the subject of "Jacobitism". And if you think the movement had any genuine political life in it post-Culloden (as opposed to being merely a armchair geneologist's 'what if'), then you are welcome to cite WP:RSs to support your contention. I have no more reason to take Jacobitism seriously than I do the Flat Earth society -- but that doesn't mean I am personally prejudiced against either.
3. My problem is with this being a badly cited, badly written article.

How did I raise the subject of Jacobitism (without scare quotes)? I raised the subject of the Third Succession Act and Last Will of Henry VIII, which is something completely unrelated. 41.133.47.252 (talk) 12:48, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

"...you may hold some personal prejudice against either Jacobitism...". Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 12:52, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

That was an observation(which i was warned for a personal attack), made after your talk about "pointless blather", and using Jacobitism in scare quotes. And after you seem to have tagged seemingly every second word in the article. 41.133.47.252 (talk) 12:54, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

No. My comment about "pointless blather" was made in response to your questioning me what I am prejudiced against. Get a clue. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 13:06, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

Regardless of what order things were stated, please do not make comments such as "get a clue". In any case, since you appear to disagree with the article, what suggestions would you make ? 41.133.47.252 (talk) 13:09, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

---

(edit conflict)Further, I would point out that talking about such things as "House of Clifton", "House of Huddleston" & "House of Lord", when none of those family names are mentioned in the list of descent (and two of the three 'Reigning Monarchs' of those houses aren't mentioned there either), cannot help but be confusing. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 13:11, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

I would further point out that, whilst I myself know that the Wittelsbachs have ruled Bavaria for centuries (as well as all sort of other parts of Germany & the Low Countries at various times), the average reader should not be expected to draw this connection. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 13:33, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

That connection is not really the point. Whether it's the House of Savoy(they ruled Italy), the House of Habsburg(Austria) or the House of Wittelsbach(Bavaria), the point is that this is the Jacobite line of inheritance. What other titles the relevant people may or may not have held(or had claim to) is really not of primary importance to the article. Every individual that has a Wikipedia article can have their article read with one click of a mouse. 41.133.47.252 (talk) 18:50, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

(i) It most emphatically is the point! Lacking this context, the succession table is simply a seemingly-random list of names & numbers and houses, incomprehensible to the average reader. (ii) Who these people were in real life is most certainly relevant. It provides context. (iii) Given this 'line' (a) isn't Scottish (b) isn't Stuart (and the current direct line hasn't been since before the Act of Settlement), (c) the current line has not ever had a claimant named James(=Jacob), & (d) the current line does not claim descent from those involved in the Jacobite Risings, I find the use of the term 'Jacobite' in this context to be tenuous at best, and undue emphasis on it more than a little annoying. (Parenthetically, I would point out that (b) also makes the name of the Royal Stuart Society more than a little of a misnomer.) Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 05:07, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

You've changed your argument again. It's not a "Random list of names & numbers", as the article, calls each person by their widely-known name. The box on the right shows the people who would have been Monarch, and the list in the main article shows the direct bloodline. Having peoples' recognized names, with links is context enough, unless you are deliberately trying to be difficult. I(and others) have provided links which show that these people, and more significantly large groups of others(including a Prime Minister) have recognized this Line, not "line" as you put it. In addition they are the direct heirs general to the last Legitimate Stuart Monarch, who was James II and VII, hence "Jacobites". That's Wikipedia:Use_common_sense. In addition your confusing Jacobitism with Scottish Nationalism shows that you are NOT that well versed on the subject. Strict Jacobitism, as all the reliable sources show, is not merely about being "Scottish". It is the strict belief that the Senior genealogical heir is the Rightful King or Queen, and no Act can divert the Succession Acts of 1603 http://www.constitution.org/sech/sech_090.htm and the Law of Succession (1681). In addition people still refer to the current Carlist claimant as such, although he is not named Carlos OR descended from the original Carlos! That's not tenuous, it's continuation. You are arguing against a strawman, and a rather poor one at that. Jacobitism is not Scottish, nor the claim that the direct blood descendant of James II and VII must be Monarch. It is the belief that the King or Queen of England and/or Scotland must be the senior genealogical heir of the earlier Monarchs. You are putting words in others' mouths, and then tearing apart an argument that no one had ever made! 41.133.47.252 (talk) 06:32, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

1. Please cease and desist violating WP:TALK by misrepresenting my statements. I did not say "Random list of names & numbers" I said "SEEMINGLY'-random" (as the article provides little context to demonstrate in what way they are non-random).
2. Please cite sources for your claim that (for example) Charles of the House of Clifton is this individual's "widely-known name" (ditto Ian of the House of Huddleston).
3. You have not demonstrated that "significantly large groups of others ... have recognized this Line", and Lord Liverpool died not recognize it, he merely acknowledged that others did.
4. I did not "confus[e] Jacobitism with Scottish Nationalism", I merely making note of the fact that the Jacobite Risings, were predominantly Scottish. Hence the relevant OED definition: Jacobite: "An adherent of James II of England after his abdication, or of his son the Pretender; a partisan or supporter of the Stuarts after the Revolution of 1688."
5. The OED does not support your claimed definition of Jacobitism as "the strict belief that the Senior genealogical heir is the Rightful King or Queen, and no Act can divert the Succession Acts of 1603 http://www.constitution.org/sech/sech_090.htm and the Law of Succession (1681)."
6. "In addition people still refer to the current Carlist claimant as such, although he is not named Carlos OR descended from the original Carlos!" The distinguishing difference being that Carlism has had a long-lasting significant influence on Spanish politics. I can see no evidence that Jacobitism has had a similar influence -- particularly given the assimilation of the Scots nobility into mainstream London society under the Hanovers (a trend that led to the Highland clearances).
7. "The belief that the King or Queen of England and/or Scotland must be the senior genealogical heir" is a pipedream, and one that ignores the historical reality that politics generally played a far larger part than genealogy on succession. This has been true of pretty much every change-in-dynasty/branch-of-dynasty since Saxon times.

Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 07:23, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

You have spoken about "bagpipes" "kilts" and how "none of them have been Scottish". It is easy to draw that conclusion. Likewise, I never created any of those individuals' Wikipedia articles. I notice you haven't gone tagging articles, stating that "please cite a source that this individual was known by this name" or anything to that effect. All your energy seems to be focused on very minor quibbles and nitpicking on one article. The OED definition you provide makes no mention of anything being "predominantly Scottish". For all your outrage over others' sources, your own source does not back up your won claims! Likewise, my definition of Jacobitism is again COMMON SENSE. Does Wikipedia need a citation that 1+1=2? Likewise, you are yourself SOAPBOXING about "pipedreams". Yes, it is obvious (as was my definition listed above) that politics has played the major role(ORIGINAL RESEARCH? NO SOURCE?) but that does not remove the fact that there still ARE many people(far more than you seem willing to accept) who DO subscribe to the idea of the Senior Genealogical heir as Monarch, and have Societies for that precise purpose, even if they are "amateurs" or "self-appointed". 41.133.47.252 (talk) 08:12, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

1. ROFLMAO! Three kilts and the sound of bagpipes doesn't make me any more of a Scottish nationalist than George IV, Victoria or Prince Charles. Jacobitism, as that term is defined by the OED, were (centuries-old past tense) the (mainly Scottish) adherents of the (Scottish) Stuart claimant for the crown -- so it is unsurprising that I looked for some form of Scottish connection.
2. "...on one article"? You really are clueless. I've done cleanup detail on dozens of articles, and have a handful under active maintenance even as we speak.
3. Jacobite Risings supports my contention that the "adherent[s] of James II of England after his abdication" were predominantly Socittish.
4. The OED definition supports my contention that 'Jacobistism' is purely the term for the historical movement associated with James VII. It does not support any "common sense" basis for extending it over two centuries to a tiny minority viewpoint, with unclear connection to England or Scotland, supporting a claimant who (unlike those of Carlism) don't even claim descent from the James in question.
5. So when you do OR, it is "common sense", when I do it to refute your claims it's OR? Inconsistent, much?
6. No, it is not a "fact that there still ARE many people(far more than you seem willing to accept) who DO subscribe to the idea of the Senior Genealogical heir as Monarch" -- it is a bald, unsubstantiated assertion.
7. The fact that they are (i) a tiny minority, (ii) amateurs & (iii) self-appointed, means that Wikipedia should neither consider them WP:RS or give them any WP:WEIGHT.

Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 09:52, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

1)And I was the one warned for personal attacks and incivility. Yet you say things like "ROFLMAO" and "You really are clueless". In case you hadn't realized James I, Charles I, Charles II and James II (as well as Mary II and Queen Anne) were all Monarchs of England, as well as Scotland. In fact, may Scots criticized their pro-England leanings. Likewise, do you refer to Elizabeth II as the German Queen, or Prince Charles as The Greco-Danish Prince of Wales? Or are they "predominated by Socittish" as well? 2)If you do wish to clean up, rather than just being critical, why not also search for sources? And how interesting that your demand for reliable sources only begins when someone other than the Present Queen is mentioned as having a possible claim. Why not ask for reliable sources saying that if Edward VIII hadn't abdicated, She would be Queen anyways? 3)I thought other Wikipedia articles can't be used to source this one? or does that rule only work when it backs up your stance, and is disregarded when it debunks what you are saying? 4)It had nothing to do with claiming descent from James II. Or James III. The claimant is the senior genealogical heir to James I ahead of the descendants of the Electress Sophia. And what source do you have for a "tiny minority viewpoint"? And the Carlists do NOT claim they are descended from the original Carlos. The current Carlists are more to do with ideology than descent. And likewise, Carlism carries nowhere near the same significance as it did 220 years ago. Yet there is still a modern claimant AND a Wikipedia article. Likewise, there are articles for the Flat Earth Society, Green party, and Creationism. Just because you disagree with something, or the majority don't hold that viewpoint do not by themselves make something non-notable. And the abundance of sources, even if "Amateur", "personal" or "fan", still debunk your claim that it is nonexistent or "tiny minority". 5)No. Again, there's a double standard. You have made some statements without any sources or references to back them up. Yet you are basing your argument upon these unsubstantiated claims. Yet you insist on reliable(according to you) sources to back up every sentence in the article. You should follow your own advice and find reliable sources for YOUR claims and "facts". Good luck finding a reliable source that says that I am "really clueless"... 6)No more a bald, unsubstantiated assertion than your statement that there are not. 7)Again, what about the people mentioned in 4)? 8)Please stop making personal attacks. 41.133.47.252 (talk) 12:47, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

1. Say ludicrously silly things like that I'm a Scots Nationalist (on ridiculously thin grounds) or that I only focused on one article (which even a cursory look at my edit history would demonstrate this to be patently false), and I will laugh at you. Laughter is only a "personal attack" to the very thin skinned.
2. For the rest, it has little or nothing to do with improving the article -- so, per WP:TALK, I'm refusing to discuss it further with you. That does not mean that I agree with all (or any) of it -- it just means that it's what I previously described as "pointless blather" -- endless discussions (and then meta-discussions on whether the discussions are substantiated, OR or "common sense") that have no likelihood of resulting in improvements to the article.

Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 13:25, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

Nobody ever said that anybody here was a Scots Nationalist. You have a remarkable knack for completely misunderstanding what is being said. Laughter can be seen as a personal attack when combined with comments such as "get a clue" or "you really are clueless". I also notice that you are now "refusing to discuss it further with you" directly after I asked you to make your suggestions. Clearly you have no interest in attempting to improve/restructure this article, as your edit history shows. At no point have you made ANY comment along the lines of "this article needs x or y". All you have done is a)make personal attacks, b)make comments such as "ROFLMAO" and c)tag virtually every sentence in this article(and only this) as being OR or Unreliable except anything in the first paragraph which states how Elizabeth II is Queen by the Act of Settlement 1701, and would be anyway regardless of Edward VIII. ANYTHING which suggests that anyone else may have any sort of claim. contrary to the Act of Settlement is "amateur" "tiny minority" "self appointed" or "clueless". Had you made constructive criticism, you would likely not need to simply "refuse to discuss it further". 41.133.47.252 (talk) 15:42, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

Maps of succession

There are currently three boxes in this article outlining alternate successions to the crown. The Jacobite succession is well documented. There are plenty of books which refer to King Francis I (aka Duke Francis V of Modena). The case is not so clear, however, with the other two alternate successions. I know of no book, for example, which refers to "Theophilus II". The fact of a genealogical descent from either the Duke of Clarence or the Duchess of Suffolk is well-documented. But (unlike the Jacobite succession) there are not reliable sources which refer to these individuals by regnal names and titles, or to their families as "houses". The regnal numbers and house names should be removed from the Clarence and Brandon map boxes since they are only found on Wikipedia. Noel S McFerran (talk) 14:21, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

Then kindly cite these books for these boxes' contents, per WP:V. And please do not remove a {{verify credibility}} tag from a citation to your own WP:SELFPUBlished website. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 14:28, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

If Hrafn wishes to learn about Jacobitism, then he should read a few articles on the topic, rather than just asking questions on talk-pages. But here is a brief sample of books which list the heirs of the Stuarts as outlined in this article:

• The Stuart Calendar (1888).
• Alice Shield, Henry Stuart, Cardinal of York and His Times (1908).
• Grant R. Francis, Scotland's Royal Line (1928).
• Charles Petrie, The Jacobite Movement (1950).
• Joe J. Heydecker, Kronprinz Rupprecht von Bayern (1953).
• Kurt Sendtner, Rupprecht von Wittelsbach (1954).
• Theo Aronson, Kings over the Water (1979).

As for having a self-published website (www.jacobite.ca), I make no apologies for it. In my opinion it is the best way to provide access to good information to the largest number of people. WP:SELFPUB specifically says that "Self-published expert sources may be considered reliable when produced by an established expert on the topic of the article whose work in the relevant field has previously been published by reliable third-party publications." I have repeatedly been interviewed by newspapers on the topic. The Telegraph obituary last month for Princess Irmingard was largely cribbed from my website. I have given public lectures numerous times. My work has been published in one of the major Modenese history journals (although I prefer not to publish in print sources). I have received funding support for my research from the University of Toronto and the major academic research funding body in Canada. But Hrafn thinks that I am an "amateur". I prefer to listen to the feedback I receive from my academic peers. Noel S McFerran (talk) 04:25, 29 November 2010 (UTC)

As someone(me?) stated the only source for a tree stating Regnal Titles/Numbers from the Clarence Line is apparently at: http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/H/history/i-m/monarchtree.html

The Stanley line (with Titles/Numbers) can apparently be found at

http://www.wargs.com/essays/succession/henrician.html

Both lines can also be found at http://my.raex.com/~obsidian/Britpret.html , which appears to have reached the same conclusions independently. Unfortunately this last site has been deemed to no be a Reliable Source. The Clarence Line source appears to be Reliable, but differs from the Names/Titles mentioned in the article. The "Henrician" article may or may not be Reliable. I don't know enough about Wikipedia Policy to state anything on that one. 41.133.47.252 (talk) 16:16, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

Does this really belong on WP?

I can see that a lot of work and interest has gone into this article. However I question if WP is really the place for it. I have sometimes said in AfD discussions that an encyclopedia is for facts, not for speculation about what might have been. Pardon my imperfect understanding of the issues involved since I am an American. Kitfoxxe (talk) 20:24, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

An encyclopedia summarizes what has been published elsewhere. In 2004 Channel 4 televised the documentary Britain's Real Monarch. It is reasonable for Wikipedia to provide a summary of this and similar topics. Noel S McFerran (talk) 21:01, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

The WP article encyclopedia starts out: "An encyclopedia (also spelled encyclopaedia or encyclopædia) is a type of reference work, a compendium holding a summary of information from either all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge." There is nothing about "what has been published elsewhere." Kitfoxxe (talk) 22:53, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

To me "reference work", "summary of information", and "branch of knowledge" imply real information about the real world. Kitfoxxe (talk) 22:55, 27 November 2010 (UTC)

How is the list of Jacobite pretenders not real information about the real world? Note that we have lists of kings and stewards of Gondor. The Jacobite line is surely more real than an imaginary kingdom. john k (talk) 17:09, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

Sources

Would people please desist in adding citations to anonymously-authored websites about British Royalty. They are not WP:RS. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 07:39, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

Top University mentions "widely recognised among the most important online resources for the topic"

http://www.utoronto.ca/stmikes/kelly/contact/mcferran.html 41.133.47.252 (talk) 08:22, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

Say rather his own university homepage makes that "unduly selfserving" (per WP:SELFPUB) claim about himself. "...a political movement to restore the Stuarts and their heirs to the thrones of England and Scotland"? What candidates did they run in the most recent British and Scottish parliamentary elections? Talk about delusions of grandeur. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 08:31, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

Since you seem unaware of the fact, Monarchs do not run in parliamentary elections. Certainly Elizabeth II was never elected Queen. And "Delusions of grandeur"? Do you have a Reliable Source for that, or are you just getting personal again. Regardless of your personal feelings(and it is very evident what your feelings are), the fact remains that there is still some sentiment to this very day. Instead of just being critical and making personal attacks, if you truly mean to improve the article, why not make suggestions as to a possible restructuring, or provide reliable sources that back up your bold claims? 41.133.47.252 (talk) 13:03, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

In democracies (such as the UK), if your "political movement" (McFerran's words) wants change (like say, a new Monarch), the obvious way to go about it is to "run in parliamentary elections" -- that or lobby existing MPs (which I've seen no evidence these self-styled Jacobites are doing either). All else is just idle talk. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 16:02, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

Hrafn seems unwilling or unable to understand the very basis of Jacobitism: that we do not recognise the usurped authority of the very individual who calls those elections. Perhaps he could write about topics of which he has some knowledge. Noel S McFerran (talk) 04:23, 29 November 2010 (UTC)

User:Mcferran seems unwilling or unable to understand that the recognition of an obscure Canadian librarian, and his mates, is not required. Lacking any evidence whatsoever of political activity in advancement of this cause, calling it a "political movement" is a nonsense, and it is rendered far less relevant than (say) The Monster Raving Loony Party. If you are unwilling to work through Britain's democratic institutions, then your courses of action would seem to be limited to a coup or a revolution. If your group are unwilling to do any of these (or any other form of genuine political activism), then I don't see why anybody should care what you think. The world, and particularly the internet, is filled to the brim with pet theories -- Wikipedia is not a WP:SOAPBOX for them. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 05:43, 29 November 2010 (UTC)

Whether or not Jacobitism is a viable political movement (obviously it is not), seems irrelevant to anything to do with this article. Jacobitism is a hobby interest, like stamp-collecting, and has organizations devoted to it. There is, for instance, the Royal Stuart Society, which apparently has the Duke of St Albans as its honorary head, along with a number of other prominent British aristocrats, and which notes the Jacobite succession given here. Note that the society's journal has published articles by well-known historians like Antonia Fraser, Jeremy Black, Roger Lockyer, and Caroline Bingham. Obviously such "Jacobites" as exist today have no real political program, but I'm not sure how that is relevant. The Jacobite succession is, then, a subject which is of interest largely to hobbyists. But we have tons of articles that are of interest largely to hobbyists. I'm not sure I understand the source of Hrafn's particular animus for this particular group of hobbyists, whose basic position can be found elaborated upon frequently in reliable sources. john k (talk) 23:27, 29 November 2010 (UTC)

Yes, but we do not cite these "hobbyists" as sources, nor give credence to their inflated self-descriptions, even in topics mainly of interest to them -- that was my relevant point. Where information is published by reputable historians, and particularly where is has been published in reputable publications, I have no problem with it. Information sourced from hobbyist publications or websites is, I think, of questionable reliability. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 02:36, 30 November 2010 (UTC)

Do you really think that articles on subjects in philately and numismatics, say, do not rely at least in part on information from hobbyist sources? Of course, hobbyists in those fields are perhaps somewhat more likely to get their work published by mainstream publishing companies than genealogical hobbyists. Nonetheless, as has been repeatedly noted, the Jacobite line is discussed in a wide variety of reputable sources - by Ruvigny, by the 1911 Britannica, by the Royal Stuart Society (which, as I noted above, has published the work of reputable scholars). Now, when you get into the other lines, I think there's a lot more reason to be doubtful. But the Jacobite line is about as well known as any genealogical subject, and has been discussed frequently in reputable sources. I don't really get why you are so hung up on this. This article isn't even really about the Jacobites - there are already separate articles on Jacobitism that deal with the Jacobite succession after 1807 to various degrees. What is unique about this article is a rather confusing organization (listing genealogical lines rather than claimants) and inclusion of the much more dubious Clarence and (especially) Eleanor Brandon lines (while ignoring other claims that are just as plausible and often more historically important, like the claims of the descendants of Frances Brandon). The Jacobites have been the subject of continuous interest since 1688, although obviously much less interest since 1807 than before. The other lines, or at least their claims to the throne passed into total obscurity after 1603 (or even earlier in the case of the Clarence line), to the extent that we cannot even say for certain who the heir-general of Eleanor Brandon is. It's that material that is objectionable and needs to be fixed or removed, not what is a very standard account of the Jacobite line. john k (talk) 09:42, 30 November 2010 (UTC)

What I "really think" is that you have failed to note the distinction between articles on subjects "mainly of interest to" hobbyists, and articles about a hobby itself. This makes a significant difference in the relevance of the hobbyists' own opinions. I would also note that philately and numismatics (i) are not nearly such a tiny minority & (ii) do not have such fervency of POV ("we do not recognise the usurped authority") as baggage, combining to place that viewpoint into the further WP:FRINGE. It is all very well claiming that "the Jacobites have been the subject of continuous interest since 1688" -- but I would suggest that the number of those taking an interest in it in the last two centuries has diminished markedly. This is especially true given that the constitutional powers of monarchs has all-but evaporated in that time period, meaning that it is of little practical importance who happens to be the monarch. Whilst the 'Jacobite' line may have more prominence (slim as it may be) than the other lines, it also already has its own article -- so there would appear to be little point in repeating its information here. Hrafn^Talk_Stalk(P) 10:55, 30 November 2010 (UTC)

I went ahead and nominated this article for deletion: Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Alternate successions of the English crown. Kitfoxxe (talk) 13:17, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

I find this premature. Certain people who have contributed, and have not contributed for a while should be contacted and asked if they can improve/edit before nomination should have occurred. 41.133.47.252 (talk) 13:19, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

Old idea of John K's that was ignored at the time

I have read through the Archives of this discussion page(and since you can't edit/post in there), thought I would bring up his basic idea here again. It was an idea for restructuring the article. The gist(not word-for-word) was more or less to reorganise the article to include the various claimants by time-frame, chronologically. The line would be highlighted by its relevance at the time there were actual claimants, and then possibly(though he seems to think not) link the claim of the day to the modern descendant(or descendants in the case of Anne Stanley :-)). Roughly it would go something like this....

1)Robert Curthose and William Clito

2)Stephen vs. Matilda, and Stephen vs. Henry II

3)Arthur of Brittany

4)Edmund Mortimer, Richard Duke of York, coronation of Edward IV, though he may be illegitimate

5)Death of Henry VI. Clarence legal heir by Act, but Henry Tudor, King of Portugal, and Duke of Buckingham all have claims

6)The end of Yorkist rule. Warwick, Margaret Pole, Earl of Huntingdon(leading to Earl of Loudon), the Courtenays and the De La Poles.

7)Edward VI's Device for the Succession and Lady Jane Grey

8)Death of Mary I. Elizabeth crowned, but Mary Queen of Scots, Countess of Lennox and Lord Darnley all possible senior heirs.

9)Death of Elizabeth I. James I succeeds, but Arbella Stewart and Anne Stanley(or is that Lord Beauchamp?) all possible senior heirs.

10)Glorious Revolution and Act of Settlement take effect but the "tiny fringe self-appointed amateur" Jacobites refuse to go away.

Looking through the archives, there also possible cases to be made for:

a)Monmouth and the Black Box.

b)that the events of 1936 did not go nearly as smoothly as claimed and The Duke of Kent may be King today, with Elizabeth yet another disinherited senior line.

Does anyone have any thoughts? Perhaps someone should begin building such an article in a sandbox? It would also have to be pointed out certain stuff, like the Curthose, De La Pole and Arbella Stewart lines going extinct, also when certain lines stopped actively claiming the throne, and who the modern claimants are/would be. In a couple of cases, different lines actually seem to merge! It would be nice to start work on such an idea in an article immediately but sadly someone like Hrafn will probably jump in and want to delete it before it can be properly assembled. Anyway, I think such an article sounds like a good idea(though I would like to keep the boxes and bloodlines). Does anyone have any thoughts? 41.133.47.252 (talk) 16:42, 5 December 2010 (UTC)