Mary I - Summary

Line to the throne

Edward and Northumberland changed the line of succession to put Lady Jane Grey on the throne this lead to Northumberland execution

Character and Background

Devote catholic

Hated by Anne Boleyn

Raised like a prince of Wales at Ludlow

Henry VIII illegitimates her twice

Agrees to act of legitimacy (monarch is head of church) under threat of execution

Turns to Charles V the holy roman emperor for guidance

Popular when ascended the throne

Government

Parliament is protestant so dislike Mary

She had far too many advisers

Didn’t consult her advisers on her marriage to Philip of Spain which angered them

Key advisors

Stephen Gardiner - Bishop

William Paget - changed sides

William Paulet - Marquis of Winchester and lord treasurer served from Henry VII

Cardinal Reginald Pole

Simon Renard - Spain ambassador

Marriage to Philip II of Spain treaty

Marriage treaty:

Philip was King but had no power or claim to English Throne

Line of succession went to Elizabeth if there was no children

Children were to be raised in England and couldn’t be moved without permission

Had to provide soldiers in case of war but couldn’t be involved in Spanish war

Philip II of Spain marriage

Unpopular with people in England

No children

Arranged by Philips father Charles V

France - Foreign Policy

England got involved in Spanish war against France through influence from Philip Mary lost support of parliament and England lost Calais as they couldn’t afford a war

Ireland - Foreign policy

Replaces the Lord Protector with a catholic

Strengths

Achieved aims of marrying Philip and reuniting with the Pope

Built ships to reinforce a navy

Standing army now work directly for the monarch no longer have to go to the barons

Weaknesses

Unpopular

Heresy laws

Doesn’t achieve catholic counter reformation

Marriage unpopular

Has no children

Spainsh flu and epidemics

Two bad harvests

Died after five years

Counter reformation

Tried to turn the country back to Catholicism after the Edwardian reformation converted to protestant

Heresy Laws - if you are found to be protestant and don’t then convert the catholic you are burned at the sake (parliament agree as they get to keep church lands)

Brings back Pope as head of church and mass

Church lands not returned and don’t believe in saints and sacraments and still see church as corrupt