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Mary I's Speech Against the Rebels

2/1/2013

Happy February, Tudor Enthusiasts! I love the way we begin this month - which is arguably my favorite month to study/blog about of the whole year!! Today, we get to look at some of the most rousing and stirring words ever to come from Queen Mary I, a woman and monarch we so often dismiss and speak badly of. Of course, anyone who has been a follower of my blog for the past year and a half knows how I feel about Mary, so I won't bore you with the same "I sympathize with Mary I" tangent that I'm known to go on from time to time. However, i do want to spend a bit of time today talking about the reasons for her speech and the words themselves - which I love!
The reason for the speech on this day in 1554, is Wyatt's Rebellion - which you may have heard of. It was an uprising named after one of its leaders, Thomas Wyatt. (No, not Sir Thomas Wyatt, the poet - that was his father!). Historians like David Loades have concluded that the primary motives for the uprising were political and religious. It seems to have been directly opposing Queen Mary's decision to marry the Spaniard, Prince Philip. Of course, this wasn't the first time there had been opposition for the marriage. In 1553, Mary's council had pleaded with her to take an English husband - someone who would be popular with the English people. However, Mary was staunch in her beliefs and her decision to marry a man from her mother's country - the son of Mary's cousin, Charles V. This did NOT bode well for the English, and they knew it. Not only was Spain a country not easily trusted during the 16th century, but they were very Catholic, as Mary was. Her decision to marry a Catholic prince ensured hardships for the Protestants in England, and the English people were afraid. Even the rebels themselves explained that they were rebelling in order "to prevent us from over-running by strangers."

There were four main leaders - Thomas Wyatt, James Crofts, Peter Carew, and Henry Grey. Each of them raised groups of rebels in four different counties, and they planned to converge in London - (which they would do in March). Meanwhile, word of the rebellion spread to Mary, and she first attempted to reason with Wyatt. When she asked him what he wanted in return for ceasing the uprising, he demanded that the Tower of London be handed over to him, and that she should be in his charge. Outrageous demands, aren't they?! Mary thought so, too - and soon, London was moving against the rebels, taking their Queen's side. This was done largely because of the speech Mary gave at Guildhall on this day in 1554. Here is a section of the speech:

"I am your Queen, to whom, when I was wedded to the realm and laws of the same (the spousal ring whereof I have on my finger, which never hitherto was, not hereafter shall be, left off), you promised your allegiance and obedience to me.... 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. And I, thus loving you, cannot but think that ye as heartily and faithfully love me; and then I doubt not but we shall give these rebels a short and speedy overthrow."

A beautiful speech, and it reminds me so much of some of the speeches her sister Elizabeth would give when she was Queen. Her words about the great love she had for her subjects, I think, are genuine - despite popular opinion about her. I think she was nervous at this point - afraid of what the rebels could do, but stubborn and sure of her decision to carry on with the Spanish wedding. Unfortunately for Elizabeth, Mary's fears and suspicions caused her to imprison her sister in the Tower of London, out of fear that the Protestant rebels were relying on Elizabeth for support. Although the desire to overthrow Mary in favor of Elizabeth was never expressly stated, it was implied. Surely, an intelligent woman like Mary was aware of that, and she had to take precautions to protect her place on the throne.
Although the rebellion continued, it was squashed fast by Mary's men, and the leaders of the rebellion were hanged, drawn, and quartered - along with MANY others. Elizabeth was able to avoid execution and further imprisonment when she made it clear that she had known nothing of the rebellion in the first place.
All in all, I think it is an important day and one of the only times we get to hear/read Mary's own words. It was such a crucial time in her reign, and the road ahead of her was anything but easy, but this was at least one challenge in which she proved victorious.

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Queen Mary Dies at Age 42

11/17/2012

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On this day in 1558, the bloody reign of Queen Mary I ended abruptly with the her death at St. James' Palace. Her death came as a bit of a surprise, not only to herself, but to those around her. In 1557, shortly after her husband Philip's visit, she thought herself pregnant for the second time. After her previous mistaken pregnancy, she must have had high hopes about this one, but unfortunately this was also a disappointment and she had to accept the fact that her Protestant half-sister Elizabeth would be her successor.
Mary was apparently ill and weak starting around May 1558. It is believed that she may have been suffering from ovarian cysts or a form of uterine cancer, and contemporary reports reveal that she was in a great deal of pain during her final months. Her death has been a bit ambiguous, because there was an influenza epidemic at the time, so it is sometimes said that she died from influenza. Other reports include various cancers, including stomach cancer. Although we don't know for sure what the ultimate cause of her death was, it is safe to say that she suffered quite a lot from May to November.
Mary received the last rites in her chamber at St. James Palace just before midnight on 16 November. She died a few hours later, between five and six in the morning. During her final week or so, she had ordered that mass be celebrated in her chambers for her to see, and as dawn broke on the day of her death, she reportedly passed away while watching the elevation of the host. According to a later account, she had "comforted those of them that grieved about her, she told them what good dreams she had, seeing many little children, like Angels playing before her, singing pleasing notes."

A messenger was sent to Philip in Spain with the news of his wife's death. Upon hearing the news, he wrote to his sister, "You may imagine what a state I am in. May God have received her in His glory! I feel a reasonable regret for her death. I shall miss her, even on this account." These comments about Mary's death, while already not very emotional, were rather hidden inside paragraphs about Spain and Hapsburg interests. I think it is safe to say that Philip was not very moved by his wife's death, not that we really should have expected him to be - based on his lukewarm feelings for her throughout their marriage.
Although the queen's death certainly caused mourning among her supporters and friends, it marked the dawn of a new age and a happier reign with Elizabeth Tudor. Bonfires were lit across England and the nation was generally excited and looking forward to the new queen's coronation. The bloody days of Mary Tudor were behind them, and the Golden Age was about to arrive.
As you know, I'm a strong supporter of Mary Tudor, although I definitely don't condone everything she did. She was a woman with many problems in her life, a deficit of love around her, and policies that made her incredibly unpopular. Hers was not an easy life, and it was a depressing and lonely death. Take a few minutes today to think of the queen who is too often plagued with cruel names and thought to be a monster. Consider her struggles and her life as a whole, and offer up the sympathy that she undoubtedly deserves.

Rest in Peace, Queen Mary I!

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The Burnings of Ridley & Latimer

10/16/2012

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Hugh Latimer

I've touched on this tragic event before - namely in my blog post about the cobblestone cross outside of Balliol College, Broad St., Oxford commemorating the spot of the burnings of three notable Protestants during the reign of Mary I. The first two of these men to be executed by burning were Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer, and they died on this day by order of Queen Mary I.
Ridley had become one of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer's chaplains in 1537 and in 1538, became vicar of Herne, Kent. From 1540-1541, he served as one of King Henry VIII's chaplains and became Bishop of Rochester in 1547 - only to become Bishop of London in 1550! He had helped Cranmer with The Book of Common Prayer in 1548 and was also part of the commission that tried Stephen Gardiner and Edmund Bonner in 1549. Clearly, he had a very complex and successful career in reform, and was one of the most famous men of the Protestant Reformation in England. After the death of Edward VI, Ridley very openly proclaimed Lady Jane Grey queen and publicly preached about both Mary and Elizabeth Tudor being bastards. He was very evidently against the Catholic Mary - but he had no reason to be fearful of her, considering all signs were pointing in 1553 to Jane Grey being queen. As far as Ridley was concerned at the time, his career would continue to flourish under the young Protestant Queen's reign.
Hugh Latimer, similarly, was appointed Bishop of Worcester in 1535 but was forced to resign in 1539 when he opposed Henry VIII's Act of Six Articles - which were very conservative. During Edward VI's reign, he went on to become the court preacher and was chaplain to Catherine Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk. The same as Ridley, he would have felt no reason to fear Mary Tudor - as he would also have advocated Jane Grey as Queen and would have been confident in a continued Protestant rule.

Nicholas Ridley

Unfortunately for both of these men, when Mary Tudor came to the throne and effectively pulled Jane Grey down, she was very displeased with Ridley and Latimer for their blatant disapproval of her - not to mention their heresy. Both were tried and convicted of treason and heresy - sentenced to burn at the stake.
On 16 October 1555, two years into Mary's reign, Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer were led to the area which is now Broad Street, Oxford, where two stakes awaited them. Latimer's last comforting words to Ridley were, "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out." This very clearly shows Latimer's opinion that the two of them were martyrs for the Protestant faith - and indeed they were. Very sadly, although Latimer died quickly, Ridley was forced to suffer in the fire for almost an hour, according to contemporary reports. This was largely because the wood on the stake was damp and hampered the affects of the fire. His brother-in-law, who attended the execution, reportedly threw more faggots on the fire in an attempt to speed the burning (which apparently Ridley was begging for), though this only caused Ridley's lower parts to burn and cause excruciating and drawn-out pain.
Thomas Cranmer was forced to watch the executions, and he himself would burn at the stake in March of the following year. No doubt the suffering of Ridley would have terrified him.

As I've said before, the memorial near Balliol College and the cobblestone cross on the street are both very subtle reminders of the horror that took place there in 1555 and 1556. These three men who suffered under Mary I were known as the "Oxford Martyrs," though over 300 others would suffer at the stake along with them for their Protestant beliefs.

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The Marriage of Queen Mary I and Philip II of Spain

7/25/2012

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On this day in 1554, Queen Mary I of England married Philip II of Spain - a match made by Mary's cousin (and Philip's father), Charles V. Though Philip was less-than-thrilled with this idea, he knew that it was a good match politically, and that Mary had connections to Spain via her mother, Katherine of Aragon. He agreed to the marriage, despite being ten years Mary's junior. Mary, on the other hand, was reportedly excited to marry Philip. She had seen his portrait and considered him to be very handsome, and with her cousin's blessing, she must have felt perfectly happy and comfortable with such a match. For a woman who did not wed until she was 37, this was a big event for her, and one that she had no-doubt thought about for her whole life. Unfortunately, the union would be less-than-perfect for her, as her husband would never feel the same affection for her.

As I mentioned in my last blog post about Mary, the majority of her council (and of England, for that matter) opposed the match with Philip. This was mainly because of his strong Catholic religion - merged with Mary's unbreakable Catholic faith, the pair of them would be a great threat to the Protestant population of England. Naturally, there was fear - and rebellion! - against the marriage, but it was to no avail. On this day, after only two days of meeting for the first time, Philip and Mary were wed at Winchester Cathedral. Since Philip spoke no English, the wedding mass was said in a combination of French, Spanish, and Latin. All-in-all, it was an average wedding, though security was rather high, considering the uproar throughout the country and the recent rebellion against the marriage. One can only imagine how Mary felt, to finally be marrying the man she had waited so long for.
In a post-wedding letter to Philip's sister Juana, he reported that he had been welcomed to England with "great demonstrations of affection and general joy." Things seemed to be going well for the newlyweds immediately following their wedding, when they arrived in triumph by barge to the city of Westminster on August 18, and then spent several days in London before heading off to Hampton Court for the remainder of the Summer. Now, all eyes were on Mary - or rather, her midsection. An heir was a crucial detail in a royal marriage - and for Mary especially, it was absolutely necessary to supply England with a proper Catholic male heir. Unfortunately, even she would have known that her age would be a struggle, and that the chances of bearing a healthy child at this point in her life were slim.
Unfortunately, once Summer passed, there was much more hostility to be found in London, and Spaniards found themselves at odds with Englishmen. In some instances, the Spaniards even thought less of the Queen herself, with one man reporting "The Queen is not pretty, not at all, is low, fragile structure instead of fat, with very white hair and blond, has no eyebrows, is holy, she dresses very badly."
The interesting thing about Mary and Philip's marriage is that Philip ruled alongside Mary, rather than being a step below her. Once they were officially joined in matrimony, he was created "King of England." Of course, he still needed to run things by Mary before acting (which he wasn't pleased about), but they were, for all intents and purposes, joint rulers - and Mary was fine with that. She was a traditional woman who believed that a wife should be obedient to her husband, and that Philip should be given every respect and priviledge that she was given as the monarch. Of course, some of this could have stemmed for her deep affection for him, but it is thought that after only a few months, it was clear to both parties that love was not the basis of their marriage. Though Mary did fall (and fall hard), she accepted that Philip did not feel the same way.
Through most things, Philip and Mary agreed. They both wanted to bring the English people back to Rome and make England a Catholic nation once again, and they both agreed that, in order to do this, Protestants must be punished - (hence the Protestant persecutions...). Politically, they meshed well - though the rest of England did not agree. Their reign was harsh and caused many people to suffer and die. Personally, they were not as good for each other. When Mary experienced her first false pregnancy, she was distraught, and learning that Philip was enjoying his fair share of mistresses (both in England and Spain) certainly didn't help matters. However, contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that Philip wanted to rush away from Mary when he went to Spain to visit his father. Perhaps he wasn't truly as cold-hearted to her as it has seemed in past reading. Many reports show that Philip showed Mary great kindness, though there is certainly a difference between "kindness" and "love," or even "affection." It seems that their marriage was one of convenience - not one that Philip would have necessarily chosen for himself, but a good political match nonetheless. Mary, on the other hand, would always carry her heart on her sleeve and yearn for the love that would always be denied her by her beloved husband.
Sadly, Philip was not even in England when Mary died in November 1558. He was in Brussels after learning of the death of his father, and while there he was informed of the death of his wife. Upon hearing of it, Philip wrote in a letter, "I felt a reasonable regret for her death." ...Not exactly the heartfelt, regretful statement you would expect of a surviving spouse, but it was all Philip was willing to give. He would later marry twice more in his life, and Mary would be remembered as a villain of the English monarchy. I cannot stop feeling bad for that poor woman....

So, not a very happy anniversary post, but anyway.... Happy Anniversary, Mary and Philip!

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Philip II of Spain Arrives in England

7/20/2012

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Today is yet another blog post about Mary Tudor - one of my favorite people to research and write about. On this day in 1554, her future husband Philip II of Spain arrived in England to meet her. This was not exactly a match that was supported by the English - in fact, it was feared. The fact that Philip was from such a Catholic country, and marrying such a Catholic Queen, made it quite obvious that the Protestants would suffer as a result. Although other suiters had been presented to Mary, including Edward Courtenay and Reginald Pole, Mary insisted on Philip, as he was the son of her cousin Charles V. A fellow Spaniard and a devout Catholic (and also handsome, according to his portraits), this was a match made in Heaven in Mary's mind...and nothing was more important to her than providing England with a Catholic heir, so that her Protestant half-sister Elizabeth would not take the throne after her. Of course, we know how well that turned out...

Philip had already been married once before to Maria Manuela, Princess of Portugal, but she had died in 1545 and it was time for him to marry again. Of course, this marriage to Mary I was going to be another political bond to align countries and form friendships (and heirs). This is what he looked like in 1554, when he made the move from Spain to England to wed his 37-year old bride and become King of England. Mary was ten years older than him at this point, but clearly that was not an issue for him - as he saw this marriage as nothing more than political. Unfortunately for Mary, she fell for Philip immediately - and fell hard. Philip was thought to be one of the most handsome men in Europe at this time, and he seems to be everything that Mary wanted in a husband. However, by this time in her life she had lost her beauty - a result of stress and age, and a life that had been most unkind to her. There is no record of Philip ever considering his wife "beautiful," which is a shame, considering she was thought to be one of the most beautiful Princesses in Europe during her younger years. Philip woudl also prove to be a less-than-attentive husband to Mary, and never show her more affection than what was absolutely necessary for appearances-sake. He would also have mistresses on the side to satisfy those needs that Mary couldn't. A heartbreaking situation for a woman who was so in love with her husband.
Although Philip arrived in England on this day in 1554, he and Mary did not actually meet until July 23rd. He could not speak English, so the languages used in their wedding ceremony on July 25th were Spanish, French, and Latin - all of which Mary knew fluently. I'll write another blog post about the wedding in a few days.
Despite all the protest and rebellion - by both Mary's council and the English people - she was determined to marry her Catholic Prince Charming and live the life of wedded bliss that she had dreamed of. It's sad to think that one of Mary's greatest wishes in life was to be a mother, and that would never happen for her - it would be just another disappointment in her difficult life. Truthfully, Mary should have been married long before she actually was. As a beautiful Princess and daughter of one of the most powerful and notorious Kings in Europe, her marriage prospects should have been dealt with when she was only a child - and it's true that some of them had been planned, although they fell through. Marriage negotiations for Mary during her childhood included King Francois I, his sons Francois the Dauphon, and Henri Duke of Orleans, and even with her cousin Charles V himself! However, all of these negotiations fell through for one reason or another and by the time Mary's parents' marriage was annulled, King Henry VIII had other matters to see to, rather than continuing his search for a proper husband for his (now bastardized) daughter. It's sad to think that Mary could have had the life she deserved if her father had only found her a husband when she was younger - since most women in the Tudor time period got married during their teen years. For Mary to have been 37-years-old at the time of her one and only wedding was shocking - not to mention unfair to her. Of course, her beauty and childbearing years were behind her and there was no hope for an heir. This marriage, like so many other things in Mary's life, would be a heartbreaking disappointment for her.

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Mary Tudor Becomes Queen of England!

7/19/2012

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Today is an incredibly happy day in Mary Tudor's life, and I'm thrilled to share it with you all! On this day in 1553, the 37-year old was proclaimed Queen of England and Ireland. This was, of course, after quite a difficult and dangerous road. Mary did not, by any means, have an easy childhood, adolescence, or even early-adulthood. I've shared a bit about her early life (and why I think she has such a harsh reputation), but let's look at the immediate events that led up to this happy day, which no doubt left Mary breathing a sigh of relief.
If you'll recall, when the young King Edward VI was dying at age fifteen, he made a rather interesting and shocking decision to erase his half-sister Mary's name from the line of succession. Edward was a Protestant King - the first true Protestant monarch on the English throne, and he therefore wanted no part in the very-Catholic-Mary taking the throne upon his death. It was probably very clear to everyone at court (and possibly all around England), that Mary's sole purpose once taking her place as Queen would be to restore England to Catholicism. She saw this as her purpose in life after her father King Henry VIII had shockingly broken ties with the Pope and annulled his marriage to her mother during Mary's childhood. Of course, Protestant Edward could not allow this to happen, so he replaced Mary's name with his cousin, Lady Jane Grey's. A fellow Protestant and also young like himself, Edward saw Jane as the perfect next Queen. Of course, this did not only shock England - it shocked Jane also, who saw Mary as the rightful heir.
I already wrote a post about how, on July 10th, Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen on the same day that Mary Tudor wrote to the Privy Council asking for their allegiance. Sad to think that these events happened on the same day, but Mary must have had some clue that things in London were taking an unexpected turn. By July 12th, Mary had assembled a military force in Suffolk and it was clear that her followers were growing. People wanted Mary on the throne. Protestants and Catholics alike saw Lady Jane Grey as an imposter, which is so sad for her, since she wanted no part in it to begin with.
Unfortunately for Jane, Mary and her retinue of supporters entered London on July 19th and Jane was deposed. And so her nine-day reign was over. She, along with her husband Guildford Dudley and her father-in-law John Dudley were imprisoned in the Tower of London while Mary enjoyed her return to London.
Think not, Tudor Enthusiasts, that Mary had the same reputation then that she would have later in her reign! Oh no - Mary had a flock of support from across the country, though of course there was fear in her ascension also - as Edward VI had suspected there would be. People were nervous about how Mary would go about restoring England to Rome - (and it turns out that they were right to be fearful.

Without thinking about what would happen later in Mary's reign, this was certainly a joyous occasion for her. After her terribly frightening adolescent years, Mary had finally escaped the dangers of her father's court - the death threats, the banishments, the heartache. She had survived the uncertainty of those dark days - quite possibly the darkest days in poor Mary's life. She had triumphed over her enemies - especially the long-dead Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell. She now had a chance to set things right. To lead the "lost sheep" of England back to their shepherd (the Pope), and to correct the wrongs done by her father to her mother Queen Katherine of Aragon, whom Mary had always held in such high regard. The imposter Queen was off the throne and safely tucked away in the Tower, to remain there until Mary decided what to do with her and her conspirators. Mary was a middle-aged, somewhat bitter, and truly troubled woman by this time. But she was also relieved, and most importantly, she was finally Queen - which is what she had been preparing and praying for her whole life.

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Lady Jane Grey is Queen!...Or is she?

7/9/2012

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On this day in 1553, only three days after the death of the fifteen year-old King Edward VI, his cousin Lady Jane Grey was informed of his decision to make her his heir to the English throne. In an effort to keep his older sister, the very Catholic Mary Tudor off the throne, he nominated the fellow-Protestant Jane just before he died. Jane, having no idea, was reportedly astounded when her father-in-law John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland told her the news. Upon hearing that she would be the new Queen, she apparently fell to the ground and wept, saying, "The crown is not my right and pleases me not! The Lady Mary is the rightful heir!" However, after the situation was further explained to her by both the Duke of Northumberland and her own parents, she reluctantly accepted that this was her cousin and friend's final wish, and she agreed that she would be Queen. These are her own words about this day in 1553:

"Declaring to them my insufficiency, I greatly bewailed myself for the death of so noble a Prince, and at the same time, turned myself to God, humbly praying and beseeching him, that if what was given to me was rightly and lawfully mine, his divine Majesty would grant me such grace and spirit that I might govern it to His glory and service and to the advantage of this realm."

And so, begrudgingly, Lady Jane Grey accepted her new title - Queen of England, though even she knew it was not her right to take.

Meanwhile, Mary Tudor had declared herself the rightful Queen of England just the day before, after being brought the news of her brother's death. On this day she wrote a letter to the privy council, announcing her sadness in the King's death, but her great joy in becoming Queen. In the letter she asked for the council's allegiance and service to her - completely unaware that Lady Jane Grey was being thrust upon the throne in her place.

So, of course, trouble lay ahead for poor little Jane Grey. At only roughly sixteen years old, she was being given a title that she neither wanted nor truly deserved, and she would have to pay for it with her own blood. In one day, she would be pronounced Queen, and on 19 July, she would be torn down again by Mary Tudor and her followers.

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Mary Tudor's Harsh Reputation

5/31/2012

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This is a bit of a slow day in terms of Tudor history, so I thought it was the perfect day to write an opinion post about a woman who I feel is one of the most tragic figures in Tudor times, Mary Tudor. I cannot count the amount of times I've read or heard that she was a "monster" or some other nasty name, and I think that it is completely unfair to remember someone who struggled as much as she did that way. When looking at Mary's life, family, disappointments, and failed attempts at happiness, I think it's quite easy to understand why she became a somewhat bitter and cold woman by the time she took the throne. This post will be a lot like my first Jane Seymour post, so buckle up!
Her birth held so much promise, but it was followed by neglect, banishment, and harsh threats from those who were supposed to be her family and supporters. Being the first surviving child of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon, she was pronounced the "most precious jewel" in the Kingdom, but later suffered much pain. Not only was she a relatively sickly girl - suffering from irregular menstruation and depression, but she dealt with a great deal of torment and agony when she was young. She was thrust out of the line of succession and declared a bastard when her parents' marriage was annulled, she was forbidden to see her mother once Katherine was sent away from court, and she was forced to endure the mockery and torment brought upon her by the King's second wife, Anne Boleyn, who made no secret of her desire that Mary would die - (she even threatened to kill her herself!). After two failed attempts at betrothals in her childhood, Mary was also forced to care for her half-sister Elizabeth, who was named a Princess instead of her.
Can we just imagine how difficult Mary's life was from the start? By the time she was twenty years old, Mary had already suffered more hardships than I can even imagine, yet she retained her faith and confidence in the Catholic religion, which she would hold onto all of her life.

I think one of the things I have trouble understanding is why people can think such horrible things of Mary Tudor, and refer to her as "Bloody Mary", yet those same people can also look at Anne Boleyn (who had a horrible reputation during her life) as a nearly-saint figure. Why is Anne Boleyn treated as the ultimate Tudor victim, when Mary suffered just as much (if not more) by her own family, and even by Anne herself? I think there are many double-standards when it comes to judging historical figures, but I think it is clear from looking at Mary's life that she was a tortured woman who was severely mistreated during her younger years. She was threatened with death several times, by both Anne Boleyn and her own father, and was constantly pressured to give up her religion, which was possibly the only comfort she had in her life. Personally, I give Mary extreme credit for being the strong woman she was, and not allowing the struggles in her life to affect her faith.
Now, the whole "Bloody Mary" thing really gets to me. While it is true that Mary's sole goal in her life was to return England to the Catholic faith, and that she persecuted Protestants in her efforts, it's important to look at her actions compared to other monarchs of her time. Here's an interesting fact for you:

Mary Tudor had fewer than 300 Protestants burnt at the stake during her reign, while 57,000 Protestants and Catholics were executed during her father Henry VIII's reign, and estimates of tens of thousands were executed during Elizabeth I's reign.

The problem for Mary, and perhaps the reason she is remembered the way she is, is that she did not have a very successful reign as Queen at all. In fact, virtually everthing she attempted to do, failed. Catholicism was never officially restored, despite her persecutions and punishments, her marriage to King Philip of Spain was disliked by the English people and unsupported, she failed to produce any children to rule England in her place, and she lost the sought-after French colony of Calais. Because of this disappointing rule, I think the executions that she ordered are what is truly remembered, which is a great shame. While Henry VIII and Elizabeth I killed a far greater number of people, their reigns were much more sucessful, so people seem to either forget or brush over the nasty parts of their times on the throne. Unfortunately, Mary I doesn't have that luxury.
Mary really led a difficult life, and I don't think anyone can deny that. After a terribly difficult and depressing childhood, she fell hopelessly in love with her Spanish husband, though he did not return her affections. Twice during her reign she suspected herself to be pregnant (which was her greatest wish), only to find out that she really had some sort of cancer (stomach or uterine, most likely), which caused swelling and pain and would ultimately lead to her death. The English people were glad to see her reign come to an end after only 4 1/2 years on the throne, and they welcomed her younger sister Elizabeth, who had always been Mary's rival.
Isn't it safe to say that Mary was perhaps a rightfully bitter woman toward the end of her life? And yet, what strength she had. She was always considered to be very kind and generous also, which is very contrary to many modern-day portrayals of her, and which many people do not know. She was not the harsh, murdering, evil tyrant that she is remembered as, and it is especially sad to note that she once said during her life that she must be "the most unhappy lady in Christendom."

I hope my readers will recognize Mary Tudor for who she really was, and not only remember her for her faults and misfortunes. Next time you see or hear someone use the name "Bloody Mary," remember what I said! Do some research on her, get to know her, and stick up for her! Mary deserves some love too.

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Thomas Cranmer vs. Mary I

3/22/2012

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Although I am, yet again, a day late on this blog post, I think this is a particularly interesting and tragic event in Tudor history - the execution of King Henry VIII's well-known and trusted archbishop, Thomas Cranmer. Actually, I did not know until just a few days ago that Cranmer suffered this fate - I assumed that he lived in peace after his time at court serving the king, and that he was simply remembered as a key figure in the protestant reformation under Henry VIII's reign. How wrong I was! It turns out, quite understandably, that Queen Mary I was not Thomas Cranmer's biggest fan. This really does make sense, when we remember that Cranmer is the one who pleased King Henry VIII in successfully finding a way to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon so that he could marry Anne Boleyn. The annulment of her parents' marriage occurred when she was about 17 years old, so it can be assumed that she knew Cranmer was one of the men responsible for her mother's unhappiness.

Mary was known throughout her life to think of her mother very fondly, and it is clear that she looked up to her and always resented the pain that her father and those who worked for him brought upon her. Really, the divorce of Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII is what led to the very lowest points in Mary's life. At that point, she was no longer known as "Princess Mary" - now she was simply "Lady Mary." She rarely saw her father, and they went years without speaking. Once Anne Boleyn gave birth to the Princess Elizabeth, Mary was forced to care for her and regard her as royalty - (I can only imagine how painful that must have been for her, when her own titles had been stripped away).
In truth, Mary had many reasons to dislike Cranmer, though I obviously don't think Cranmer's intentions were ever to hurt or anger Mary. He was simply doing what his king wanted, and he did his job so well that he was regarded quite highly by members of the court. Another thing that separates him from Mary in those days, was his deep sympathy and affection for Anne Boleyn, whom Mary absolutely despised. While Mary saw Anne as the reason for her mother's banishment and death, as well as her own unhappiness, Cranmer saw her as the key figure in turning England from the Catholic faith and recognizing the "new" religion - which would become the Church of England. He and Anne were allies, while Mary and Anne were enemies.
The religious divide between Cranmer and Mary is really what sealed his fate. While he served King Henry, and later King Edward VI, he remained an invaluable Archbishop of Canterbury - because those two kings were (or became, in Henry's case) openly protestant (or Anglican). Mary, on the other hand, was devoutly Catholic, as we all know. Her beliefs in her faith were so strong that she thought anyone who was not Catholic was a heretic and deserved death. I would think that, when Edward VI died, Cranmer must have felt a bit uneasy knowing that Mary I would take the crown (of course, after the whole Lady Jane Grey mess).

As one would expect, Cranmer was brought to trial for heresy shortly after Mary took the throne. She undoubtedly knew that Cranmer had been in support of her rival, Lady Jane Grey, who was also imprisoned and would be executed for treason. Cranmer was put on trial along with two other religious leaders, Ridley and Latimer - both of whom were burnt at the stake in October 1555. Cranmer, however, was thrown in the Tower and condemned to death, but given a chance to recant and recognize the Catholic faith. He did so, and made confession, recognizing the Pope as head of the church. However, this was simply not good enough, and the date for his execution was set. In desperation, Cranmer claimed to completely dismiss the ideas of Lutheran theology, and announced his "joy" in returning to the Catholic faith - in one last attempt to save his life. Interestingly, under normal canon law, he should have been absolved and forgiven, but this was not Queen Mary's plan. After a 14-day execution postponement, Mary decided that Cranmer truly deserved death, and was scheduled to be burnt at the stake on March 21st, 1556.
This is where it gets truly interesting! Cranmer was given one final opportunity to recant - this time in public during a religious service. He wrote a speech that was published after his death, and began speaking at the pulpit about his submission to Queen Mary and the Catholic faith. However, he ended the speech completely unexpectedly, ignoring what he had written. He officially renounced the recantations and said that he would punish his hand for writing those untrue statements by burning it first at his execution. He referred to the Pope as "the anti-Christ" and publicly refused him. He was then pulled down from the pulpit and dragged to the stake - keeping true to his word as he placed his right hand into the flames as they swirled around him. When his right hand had burnt completely and the flames were rising up around his body, he reportedly looked up at the sky and yelled "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit...I see the heavens open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God!"

So, it's a bit difficult to sort out my feelings about this event. On one hand, I can understand why Mary had such an intense hatred towards the man who, as she saw it, ruined her family and her life. She saw him as one of her sworn enemies, and must have relished the opportunity to bring him down when she was Queen. However, I obviously feel extreme sympathy and sadness for Thomas Cranmer, who served his kings well and ultimately followed his heart in religious matters. Although he recanted in order to try to save his life, he ultimately died a true martyr for the protestant reformation, leaving no one to wonder what his true opinions about religion were. So, in conclusion, I must take Cranmer's side on this. From what I've read about him, he seemed like a truly good person, who certainly did not deserve the cruel fate he received.

Rest in peace, Thomas Cranmer!!!

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So long, Queen Mary... Long live Queen Elizabeth!

11/17/2011

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Today is a happy day in Tudor history - and a sad day, depending on which way you look at it. On this day in 1558, Queen Mary I, daughter of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, lay dying in her bed, most likely from uterine cancer - (which caused a tumor to form in her abdomen, making her believe she was pregnant! What a tease....). She was said to be in extreme pain upon her death, but it is unlikely that she had much support from her citizens. After her "bloody" reign and hundreds of Protestant executions, England was in need of a new monarch...and fast!
Elizabeth, knowing that her sister was ill, was approached immediately upon Mary's death, and was given the Queen's ring as proof of Elizabeth's rights to the throne. Upon receiving the happy news, Elizabeth said, "This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." Finally, after all the hardships she had endured during her childhood and during Queen Mary's reign,

Elizabeth was finally free to take the throne. She was the rightful heir, and now she wore the Queen's ring as proof! The Queen's council chanted "God save the Queen" numerous times while Elizabeth took in the new information - (it's amazing how fast their loyalties can change!). The 25-year old was ready and willing to accept her new responsibilities! This is what she supposedly said to her council at that time:
"My lords, the law of nature moves me to sorrow for my sister; the burden that is
fallen upon me makes me amazed, and yet, considering I am God's creature,
ordained to obey His appointment, I will thereto yield, desiring from the bottom
of my heart that I may have assistance of His grace to be the minister of His
heavenly will in this office now committed to me. And as I am but one body
naturally considered, though by His permission a body politic to govern, so
shall I desire you all ... to be assistant to me, that I with my ruling and you
with your service may make a good account to Almighty God and leave some comfort
to our posterity on earth. I mean to direct all my actions by good advice and counsel."

Be careful not to mistake this day as her coronation day - that wouldn't be until January. But this was an exciting day for Elizabeth and her followers, to say the least! It also must have been a great triumph for all the Protestant families in England who survived Queen Mary's brutal persecutions, but lived in fear. Now, under Elizabeth, they would be able to worship as they pleased!

Here is a video from he movie "Elizabeth R" starring Glenda Jackson, depicting Elizabeth being told the news of Mary's death. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSdARhP_WVU -

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Mary I's Speech Against the Rebels

Queen Mary Dies at Age 42

The Burnings of Ridley & Latimer

The Marriage of Queen Mary I and Philip II of Spain

Philip II of Spain Arrives in England

Mary Tudor Becomes Queen of England!

Lady Jane Grey is Queen!...Or is she?

Mary Tudor's Harsh Reputation

Thomas Cranmer vs. Mary I

So long, Queen Mary... Long live Queen Elizabeth!

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