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| Portrait by Antonis Mor (1554) |
Birth name: Mary Tudor of Greenwich
Born: 18 February 1516, Greenwich, Middlesex, Kingdom of England
Father: King Henry VIII of England and Ireland
Mother: Princess Katherine of Aragon
House: Tudor
Nationality: English
Religion: Catholicism
Claim: Child of Henry VIII
Reign: 19 July 1553 - 17 November 1558 (5 years)
Co-monarch: Philip
Coronation: 01 October 1553
Predecessor: Jane *disputed*
Successor: Elizabeth I
Contender: Jane
Died: 17 November 1558 (aged 42)
Cause: Cancer
Burial: Westminster Abbey
Motto: Truth, the daughter of time
Spouse(s):
- King Philip II of Spain and Portugal 'The Prudent' (m. 1554 - 1558)
Children:
- N/A
Appearance:
She is described as thin and delicate, as well as short in stature. Her skin was pale with flushed cheeks, and she had blue eyes, and light auburn hair that gradually darkened as she grew older.
She is described as thin and delicate, as well as short in stature. Her skin was pale with flushed cheeks, and she had blue eyes, and light auburn hair that gradually darkened as she grew older.
Towards the end of her life, her abdomen began to swell, which was misinterpreted as pregnancies at the time, though it was more likely the result of a tumour.
Character:
Despite her infamous moniker of 'Bloody Mary', throughout most of her life, Mary was described as rather timid and anxious. She also may have suffered from clinical depression.
Character:
Despite her infamous moniker of 'Bloody Mary', throughout most of her life, Mary was described as rather timid and anxious. She also may have suffered from clinical depression.
However, she could be very determined and resilient, as she had to endure many hardships, such as her parents' divorce, being banned from seeing her mother, frequent health issues, and her father abandoning her. Mary was able to successfully stand up for her rightful claim to the throne, in which her cousin, Jane, was declared the queen instead of her.
She was a very devout Catholic and refused to conform to the Protestant Reformation of England. This became an obsession throughout her reign, as she executed many people for heresy, and attempted to bring England back into Catholicism.
Mary was also a talented musician, and was able to play the harpsichord, which she used to entertain guests. Mary also enjoyed card games and gambling.
Biography:
Mary was born in Greenwich, England in 1516, and was the fifth child of King Henry VIII of England, and his first wife, Princess Katherine of Aragon. She would be their only child to survive infancy. This would place her parents under a great deal of pressure, as the Tudor dynasty was still new, and required many male heirs to bring stability to the kingdom.
Biography:
Mary was born in Greenwich, England in 1516, and was the fifth child of King Henry VIII of England, and his first wife, Princess Katherine of Aragon. She would be their only child to survive infancy. This would place her parents under a great deal of pressure, as the Tudor dynasty was still new, and required many male heirs to bring stability to the kingdom.
Mary was adored by both her parents and would receive an excellent education. For the most part, she had a very happy early childhood.
As their only surviving child, Mary began to fulfil the duties typical of the Prince of Wales, though she was never officially given the title. Many possible marriage candidates were considered for her, including the Dauphin of France, King James V of Scotland, as well as her first cousin, and Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. However, these marriages would never come to pass.
By the 1520s, it appeared likely that Katherine of Aragon would be unable to have any more children, much to her father's dismay. A female ruler had never successfully ruled England within their own right, and the Tudor Dynasty was still new and fragile, so great pressure was put upon her father to ensure its continuation. Her father began attempts to have his marriage with her mother annulled, and Mary would become caught between her parents' marital tensions. Her father argued that their marriage could not be valid in the eyes of God, due to Katherine having previously been married to his brother (despite Katherine maintaining that the marriage had never been consummated), and was therefore invalid.
By the 1520s, it appeared likely that Katherine of Aragon would be unable to have any more children, much to her father's dismay. A female ruler had never successfully ruled England within their own right, and the Tudor Dynasty was still new and fragile, so great pressure was put upon her father to ensure its continuation. Her father began attempts to have his marriage with her mother annulled, and Mary would become caught between her parents' marital tensions. Her father argued that their marriage could not be valid in the eyes of God, due to Katherine having previously been married to his brother (despite Katherine maintaining that the marriage had never been consummated), and was therefore invalid.
The stress of her parents' feud caused Mary to become frequently ill during her teenage years, and she also suffered episodes of severe depression. This was further worsened when her father banned her mother from seeing her.
Unfortunately for Mary, her father broke away from the Catholic Church after the Pope refused to annul her parents' marriage. Henry established himself as the head of the new Church of England, and was able to grant the annulment to himself. This now meant that Mary was declared illegitimate and was no longer the heir to the throne of England, losing the title of princess.
Unfortunately for Mary, her father broke away from the Catholic Church after the Pope refused to annul her parents' marriage. Henry established himself as the head of the new Church of England, and was able to grant the annulment to himself. This now meant that Mary was declared illegitimate and was no longer the heir to the throne of England, losing the title of princess.
Her father married his long time mistress, Anne Boleyn, in 1533, and she soon gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth. Mary was treated very unkindly by her new step-mother, especially when Mary refused to acknowledge her as the new queen, maintaining that her mother was still Henry's rightful wife and queen. This behaviour would also enrage her father, and further restrictions were placed upon her as punishment. Mary was sent to work as a servant for her new half-sister, but she would once again become frequently ill from stress. During this time, she became close friends with the Imperial Ambassador, Eustace Chapuys, and he became an unofficial father figure in her life. Meanwhile, Mary and her real father had no contact for over three years.
In 1536, her mother, Katherine, passed away, after the two of them had been forced to have no contact with each other for 10 years. Mary was devastated by this event, and it only worsened her depression as she secluded herself more and more.
However, Mary's luck began to change for the better when Anne Boleyn fell out of favour with her father. She too was unable to successfully produce a son in Henry's eyes, and Anne's enemies were quick to frame her for treason and adultery. Meanwhile, her father's affections had moved onto his new mistress, Jane Seymour, Anne's lady-in-waiting, as well as a former lady-in-waiting to Mary's mother. Anne was arrested and executed, and Henry's marriage to her was also annulled. Her half-sister, Elizabeth, was now also declared illegitimate.
In 1536, her mother, Katherine, passed away, after the two of them had been forced to have no contact with each other for 10 years. Mary was devastated by this event, and it only worsened her depression as she secluded herself more and more.
However, Mary's luck began to change for the better when Anne Boleyn fell out of favour with her father. She too was unable to successfully produce a son in Henry's eyes, and Anne's enemies were quick to frame her for treason and adultery. Meanwhile, her father's affections had moved onto his new mistress, Jane Seymour, Anne's lady-in-waiting, as well as a former lady-in-waiting to Mary's mother. Anne was arrested and executed, and Henry's marriage to her was also annulled. Her half-sister, Elizabeth, was now also declared illegitimate.
Just days after Anne's execution, Henry married Jane Seymour, and she encouraged a reconciliation between Mary and her father. Though bullied into finally recognising that her parents' marriage was invalid, the two did finally reconcile, and Mary resumed her place within the English court. During this time, she became very close with her new step-mother.
A rebellion in the north of England known as the Pilgrimage of Grace occurred, and one of their aims was to have Mary's legitimacy restored, but this was unsuccessful.
Jane gave birth to the son and heir, Edward, that Henry had been longing for in 1537, and Mary was chosen to be one of his godmothers. Unfortunately, Jane would die of a postnatal infection days after the birth, and Mary would be the chief mourner at her funeral.
Jane gave birth to the son and heir, Edward, that Henry had been longing for in 1537, and Mary was chosen to be one of his godmothers. Unfortunately, Jane would die of a postnatal infection days after the birth, and Mary would be the chief mourner at her funeral.
Afterwards, marriage candidates began to be considered for her again, and she was courted by the Duke of Bavaria, but religious differences prevented their relationship from going any further. It was also suggested that she marry the Duke of Cleves, but her father would end up marrying the Duke's sister, Anne of Cleves, instead, in order to form a Protestant alliance within Europe. Despite religious differences, Mary and Anne would get along very well, even when the marriage between Anne and her father only lasted for six months before it was annulled.
However, Mary would not get along with her father's fifth wife, Katherine Howard, who was much younger than she was.
Finally, after her father married his final wife, Katherine Parr, in 1543, the new queen was able to persuade Henry to restore both Mary and Elizabeth to the line of succession. Mary had never been closer with her family, and enjoyed court life, often acting as hostess, and loved spending time with her siblings.
Finally, after her father married his final wife, Katherine Parr, in 1543, the new queen was able to persuade Henry to restore both Mary and Elizabeth to the line of succession. Mary had never been closer with her family, and enjoyed court life, often acting as hostess, and loved spending time with her siblings.
But her father would ultimately die in 1547, meaning that her younger brother became King Edward VI of England. Since Edward was only a minor, a council was created to help rule the kingdom, and these were largely made up of Protestants who sought to continue the reformation of religion in England.
Mary remained a devout Catholic, and continued to practice her faith, much to her brother's chagrin. She kept away from court, and there were even plans for her to escape England, but this would not end up happening. Meanwhile, Mary continued to argue with her brother over matters of religion, and he would frequently scold her in public, to a point where the two of them would burst into tears.
Edward's reign would be short, and he died at the age of 15 in 1553. Edward conspired to ensure that his Catholic sister would not inherit the throne, so she was once again disinherited from the line of succession on the grounds of her illegitimacy, alongside her sister, Elizabeth. Instead, Mary's Protestant cousin, Lady Jane Grey, was proclaimed the queen instead. Jane was pressured into accepting, despite not wanting the job, and Mary immediately began gathering support to take her rightful place as queen. This support was easy to gather, and Jane's own supporters quickly abandoned her, and she would only remain on the throne for just nine days.
Edward's reign would be short, and he died at the age of 15 in 1553. Edward conspired to ensure that his Catholic sister would not inherit the throne, so she was once again disinherited from the line of succession on the grounds of her illegitimacy, alongside her sister, Elizabeth. Instead, Mary's Protestant cousin, Lady Jane Grey, was proclaimed the queen instead. Jane was pressured into accepting, despite not wanting the job, and Mary immediately began gathering support to take her rightful place as queen. This support was easy to gather, and Jane's own supporters quickly abandoned her, and she would only remain on the throne for just nine days.
Mary rode into London with widespread support and celebration, alongside Elizabeth. Jane, her husband, and her supporters were then arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London. At the age of 37, Mary officially became Queen Mary I of England. Mary recognised that Jane had merely been a pawn in the whole ordeal, and did not wish for harm to come to her. However, after Protestant rebellions began plotting to place Jane on the throne again, Mary was left with no choice but to have her cousin executed so that she could no longer become a beacon of rebellion.
In 1554, Mary decided to marry her first-cousin-once-removed, King Philip II of Spain, in the hope that she would cement a Catholic alliance between England and Spain, as well as produce a Catholic heir which would fully restore England to Catholicism. Many advisors begged Mary not to marry him in fear of too much Spanish influence within England, as well as the fear of Philip dragging England into his many wars and conflicts, but she didn't listen. Protestant rebellions broke out, and Mary's sister and current heir, Elizabeth, was implicated in them, forcing Mary to have her arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Regardless of all of this, the marriage went ahead.
Mary quickly believed herself to be pregnant, as well as all her courtiers. Elizabeth was released from house arrest to witness the birth, and it was agreed that Philip would act as regent should Mary die in childbirth. She suffered all of the symptoms of pregnancy, and her belly began to swell, but when the due date arrived, nothing happened. Gossip began to spread that Mary was not really pregnant, especially when her swollen stomach began to recede. It was likely that this was a phantom pregnancy, brought on by the intense desire on Mary's part to produce an heir.
In 1554, Mary decided to marry her first-cousin-once-removed, King Philip II of Spain, in the hope that she would cement a Catholic alliance between England and Spain, as well as produce a Catholic heir which would fully restore England to Catholicism. Many advisors begged Mary not to marry him in fear of too much Spanish influence within England, as well as the fear of Philip dragging England into his many wars and conflicts, but she didn't listen. Protestant rebellions broke out, and Mary's sister and current heir, Elizabeth, was implicated in them, forcing Mary to have her arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Regardless of all of this, the marriage went ahead.
Mary quickly believed herself to be pregnant, as well as all her courtiers. Elizabeth was released from house arrest to witness the birth, and it was agreed that Philip would act as regent should Mary die in childbirth. She suffered all of the symptoms of pregnancy, and her belly began to swell, but when the due date arrived, nothing happened. Gossip began to spread that Mary was not really pregnant, especially when her swollen stomach began to recede. It was likely that this was a phantom pregnancy, brought on by the intense desire on Mary's part to produce an heir.
Humiliated, Philip abandoned her, leaving Mary devastated. Mary had genuinely been in love with Philip, but the feeling was likely not mutual, especially since Philip was much younger than her. As a result, Mary's depression worsened once again.
In 1557, after one of Philip's few visits, Mary believed that she was pregnant again. However, once again, the due date came and nothing happened.
In 1557, after one of Philip's few visits, Mary believed that she was pregnant again. However, once again, the due date came and nothing happened.
By 1558, it became clear that Mary was actually seriously ill, likely as a result of cancer. She was forced to acknowledge that Elizabeth was her heir, and hoped in vain that she would continue to bring England back into Catholicism.
Mary then died later that same year, likely as a result of uterine cancer.
Rule:
Mary was initially popular upon her ascension to the throne of England. Most of the people within England supported her cause, regardless of religion, and viewed her as the rightful queen as decreed by her father's will.
Rule:
Mary was initially popular upon her ascension to the throne of England. Most of the people within England supported her cause, regardless of religion, and viewed her as the rightful queen as decreed by her father's will.
Her first major issue was dealing with Jane and her supporters, though Mary was sympathetic to Jane and understood that she had not taken the throne willingly, and was just a pawn the entire time. She was placed under house arrest, though Mary was eventually pressured into executing her on charges of treason, due to her being a focus of Protestant revolt; this greatly grieved her.
Her main focus throughout her reign was undoing the Protestant Reformation and restoring England to Catholicism. She married King Philip II of Spain in order to secure a powerful Catholic alliance, and to try and secure a Catholic heir for England. This marriage was not popular due to feared foreign interference in England. Many Protestants fled into exile, and those that stayed and refused to convert were burned at the stake for heresy. This made Mary even more unpopular as it was viewed as brutal and cruel. It also made martyrs out of the victims.
Mary also supported further English colonisation of Ireland.
Her main focus throughout her reign was undoing the Protestant Reformation and restoring England to Catholicism. She married King Philip II of Spain in order to secure a powerful Catholic alliance, and to try and secure a Catholic heir for England. This marriage was not popular due to feared foreign interference in England. Many Protestants fled into exile, and those that stayed and refused to convert were burned at the stake for heresy. This made Mary even more unpopular as it was viewed as brutal and cruel. It also made martyrs out of the victims.
Mary also supported further English colonisation of Ireland.
She also made herself even more unpopular by supporting her husband by declaring war on France. This disrupted French and English trade, and the campaign was a disaster, resulting in England losing it's remaining French territory, Calais. Her foreign policies would continue to become extremely unpopular, and even today, she is viewed as incompetent in her foreign affairs. It dramatically weakened England, and tied the kingdom under the same brush of failure as Spain.
Her reign also witnessed a famine as a result of poor weather and the reluctance of Spain to share their vast wealth stolen from the New World. Commerce and trade suffered even more because of this.
Her reign also witnessed a famine as a result of poor weather and the reluctance of Spain to share their vast wealth stolen from the New World. Commerce and trade suffered even more because of this.
Protestant plots continued, with Wyatt's Rebellion implicating Mary's own half-sister, Elizabeth. Consequently, Mary was forced to lock her sister away in the Tower of London.
Unfortunately, Mary was never able to fully restore Catholicism to England, as many of her policies were quickly undone by Elizabeth during her reign.
Overall, her reign was ultimately a disaster, despite her best efforts.
Trivia:
- She was the first woman to successfully inherit the throne of England in her own right.
- The famous nursery rhyme, 'Mary, Mary, quite contrary', was based on Queen Mary I; it mainly mocked her infertility and desperation to produce an heir.
- Her nickname, 'Bloody Mary', was the result of her relentless execution of Protestants.
Quotes
"When I am dead and opened, you shall find Calais lying in my heart."
Speaking about her regret of the loss of Calais to the French.
"While my father lives I shall be only the Lady Mary, the most unhappy lady in Christendom."
Regarding her treatment by her father and step-mother, Anne Boleyn.
"And
I say to you, on the word of a Prince, I cannot tell how naturally the
mother loveth the child, for I was never the mother of any; but
certainly, if a Prince and Governor may as naturally and earnestly love
her subjects as the mother doth love the child, then assure yourselves
that I, being your lady and mistress, do as earnestly and tenderly love
and favour you."
Declaring her love for her subjects.
Timeline of Reign:
| 1553: Grey plotters arrested - Those who supported Jane Grey's rule are arrested and executed.
| 1553: Catholic Restoration begins - Mary begins re-establishing Roman Catholicism in England
| 1554: Wyatt Rebellion - Protestant rebellion led by William Wyatt is defeated.
| 1554: Execution of Jane Grey - Former queen and her husband are executed for treason.
| 1554: Elizabeth imprisoned - Mary imprisons her sister on suspicion of being involved in rebellion.
| 1555: The Moscovy Company founded - First joint trading company established.
| 1555: Protestant burnings begin - 287 burned at the stake for heresy.
| 1556: Thomas Cranmer executed - Former Archbishop of Canterbury executed for heresy.
| 1557: Habsburg bankruptcy - Mary's husband declares the bankruptcy of his kingdoms.
| 1557: War with France - England supports Spanish war with France only to be defeated.
| 1558: England loses Calais - France seizes English territory of Calais.
Sources & Further Reading:
Maria_Tudor1.jpg - Wikimedia Commons. (2020). Wikimedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maria_Tudor1.jpg
Mary I: England's First Crowned Queen. (2025). Historic Royal Palaces. https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/mary-i/
Mary I of England Timeline. (n.d.). World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/timeline/Mary_I_of_England/
pixeltocode.uk. (2013). Mary I | Westminster Abbey. Westminster Abbey. https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/royals/mary-i
Queen Mary I – Reign of Fire and Faith. (2023). Old Royal Naval College. https://ornc.org/stories/queen-mary-reign-of-fire-and-faith/
Ruggiero, A. (2018). Queen Mary I: Journey to the Throne. Historic UK. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Queen-Mary-I/
Simons, E. N. (2019). Mary I | Queen of England. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-I
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