Failure of Issue

The Tudor line of English monarchs ended in 1603 when Queen Elizabeth I died without issue. She was succeeded by her cousin, King James VI of Scotland, who became James I of England.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Dying without having any children or without surviving children.

Children are commonly referred to at law as issue of a marriage. Whether or not a person has

any issue becomes important in determining the heirs upon his or her death.

---

failure of issue n. when someone dies leaving no children or other direct descendants.