Mary I

Mary I of England was Queen of England and Ireland from 1553 until her death in 1558. She was the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Mary became queen after a period of uncertainty following the death of her half-brother, Edward VI. Her reign took place during a time of strong religious change and political tension in England.

Mary was born on February 18, 1516, at Greenwich Palace. She was the only child of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon to survive infancy. During her early life, Mary was treated as a princess and received a careful education. She studied languages, music, and religion. Her position changed when her father separated from her mother and later married Anne Boleyn. Mary was declared illegitimate, which meant she was no longer recognized as a lawful heir.

After Henry VIII died in 1547, Mary’s half-brother Edward VI became king. Edward supported Protestant Christianity, which differed from Mary’s Catholic beliefs. When Edward died in 1553, a group of leaders tried to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne. Mary gathered support and entered London as queen. Lady Jane Grey’s reign lasted nine days before Mary was proclaimed queen by Parliament.

As queen, Mary worked to restore Roman Catholic practices in England. Roman Catholicism is a branch of Christianity led by the pope in Rome. Laws passed under Edward VI were reversed, and church services followed older Catholic forms. England was brought back under the authority of the pope. Some Protestant leaders were arrested and punished. Several hundred people were executed for religious reasons during this period.

In 1554, Mary married Philip of Spain, who later became King Philip II of Spain. The marriage was intended to strengthen ties with Spain, a powerful Catholic kingdom. Philip was given the title of king, but his power in England was limited. The marriage produced no children. England later became involved in a war with France, during which the English town of Calais was lost in 1558.

Mary’s health declined during her reign. She believed she was pregnant more than once, but no child was born. Mary died on November 17, 1558, at the age of forty-two. She was succeeded by her half-sister Elizabeth I, who restored Protestant rule. Mary was buried in Westminster Abbey. Her reign was short and took place during a period of major religious change in English history.