Mary Tudor, often known as Bloody Mary, was the first queen regnant of England, reigning from 1553 until her death in 1558. Here are key aspects of her life and reign:
Early Life and Background
- Mary was born on February 18, 1516, to King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. She was named after Mary of Teck, a popular saint at the time.
- Her childhood was marked by political upheaval due to her father's quest for a male heir, leading to the annulment of her parents' marriage and her being declared illegitimate by the Act of Succession in 1534.
Path to the Throne
- After her younger brother Edward VI died in 1553, there was an attempt to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne, bypassing Mary. However, Mary rallied support and was proclaimed queen in July 1553.
- Her accession was a victory for the Catholic cause in England, as she was a devout Catholic.
Reign and Policies
- Mary's reign saw an attempt to restore Catholicism in England after the schism initiated by her father. She reestablished papal authority with the Heresy Act of 1554, leading to the persecution of Protestants, earning her the nickname Bloody Mary.
- She married Philip II of Spain in 1554, hoping to strengthen the Catholic cause and secure an heir, but the marriage was unpopular and did not produce children.
- Her policies included the restoration of church lands to the Catholic Church, the reintroduction of the Latin Mass, and the burning of heretics, which included prominent figures like Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer, and Nicholas Ridley.
Legacy and Death
- Mary died on November 17, 1558, at St. James's Palace, possibly from influenza or ovarian cancer. She was succeeded by her half-sister, Elizabeth I, who reversed most of Mary's religious policies.
- Her reign is often viewed negatively due to the persecution of Protestants, but she also laid the groundwork for some of the legal and administrative reforms that would be further developed under Elizabeth I.
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