 They were unable to help Catholics in Scotland against the progressing Scottish Reformation, however, and the Auld Alliance was dissolved.Francis was succeeded by two of his brothers in turn, both of whom were also unable to reduce tensions between Protestants and Catholics.Born eleven years after his parents' wedding, the long delay in producing an heir may have been due to his father's repudiation of his mother in favour of his mistress Diane de Poitiers, however this repudiation was negated by Diane's insistence that Henry spend his nights with Catherine.