the crisis of Parliaments English history 1509 - 1660 Mary 1

The Reign of Edward VI, 1547-1553

By the end of 1552, concerns regarding King Edward VI's health began to heighten amongst the Council, particularly with rising expenses incurred by Sir William Petre for armament bills. The apprehension arose primarily from the possibility that if Mary, a Catholic, were to ascend the throne, all Protestant reforms would cease, leading to potential imprisonments for many Councillors. In response to the diminishing prospects for Protestantism under Edward's reign, the Duke of Northumberland made a strategic decision to secure his political influence by marrying off his son to Lady Jane Grey, who had a distant claim to the throne as the granddaughter of Henry VIII's sister. On Edward's death in 1553, Northumberland persuaded the Council to recognize Jane as queen through "King Edward VI's testament and the Duke of Northumberland's will." While some enthusiastic Protestants supported this maneuver, a considerable portion of the Council remained passive, waiting for the public's reaction to unfold.

The generous public support for Mary was decisive, dominating even Protestant territories like East Anglia. Many Protestant supporters, driven by motives perhaps beyond mere religious allegiance—such as animosity towards Northumberland, commitment to legitimacy, or fear of impending civil discord—rallied to Mary's cause. Northumberland's failure to arrest Mary forced him ultimately to endorse her proclamation, leading to his downfall and Mary's uncontested claim to the throne.

The Reign of Mary I, 1553-1558

Upon her accession in the summer of 1553, Mary I faced significant challenges, most significantly her marital status and the religious landscape. As a 36-year-old single woman, her sister Elizabeth, seen as a Protestant, posed a substantial threat to her reign. The legitimacy of Mary's rule was called into question due to her mother's unnatural circumstances surrounding her birth, which had affected her ability to marry suitably. The lack of agreement over Mary's potential spouse within the Council compounded her difficulties. Hindsight reveals that historians might exaggerate Mary's governance challenges, often focusing excessively on organized opposition rather than her efforts to restore Catholicism.

In 1553, despite significant obstacles, it was feasible for Mary to rejuvenate Catholicism within England. Contrarily, the Protestant population was notably smaller in England than in France or Italy. With rigorous government action against Protestant groups, it was possible for Mary to reinstate Catholicism much as it had been implemented in neighboring Catholic nations. Notably, Mary was not subservient to the Pope and defended her royal rights with equal fervor as any other sovereign, maintaining her title as Emperor and resisting papal attempts to revoke royal privileges.

Administrative Efficiency

Mary's government operated with a surprising degree of efficiency, and key figures like Lord Treasurer Winchester and Sir Thomas Gresham continued to influence financial policy during her rule. The administration maintained checks against corruption, with investigations into Crown land management and effective reforms on taxes assessed. The introduction of the 1554 Act for road repairs signified the first national-level approach to infrastructure problems. Under her reign, government efficiency seemed to be at its peak, save for some ineptitude within the Privy Council, where Mary's trust issues led to a confusing political environment.

The Question of Marriage

One prominent issue during Mary’s rule was her marriage. She needed to secure her legacy and ensure the continuation of Catholicism through an heir. However, marrying within England would have threatened the delicate balance within the Council. Speculations on possible candidates led to unease due to fears of favoritism among factions unless no specific subject was named. Ultimately, she leaned towards a match with Philip of Spain, following counsel from Charles V, and despite opposition from Gardiner and others, the promise was formalized shortly after her coronation.

Wyatt's Rebellion

In 1554, opposition to the Spanish marriage resulted in Wyatt's Rebellion, a well-coordinated uprising intended to overthrow Mary. Despite initial successes, including gaining support in Kent and reaching Westminster, Wyatt's forces were ultimately thwarted due to the inhabitants of London rallying to defend Mary, resulting in his arrest and execution. The rebellion underscored the tension regarding religious and national identity, as many conspirators were driven by political loyalties rather than outright religious fervor.

The Persecution of Protestants

Mary's reign was marked by a substantial anti-Protestant initiative, which included the execution of around 300 individuals through burning. This program reflected a desire to systematically root out remaining Protestantism and reinstated a focus on loyalty to the Catholic faith. The enforcement of these policies faced backlash, particularly as many burned were viewed as martyrs, which intensified anti-Catholic sentiment.

Throughout her rule, Mary struggled against criticisms of inaction regarding liturgical vitality and mismanagement of church affairs, despite underlying efforts to establish a counter-reformation movement. The reestablishment of key Catholic universities initiated a slow process to restore Catholic educational influence.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Mary's reign came to an end with her death in 1558, during which she named her half-sister Elizabeth as her successor. Elizabeth's ascent was viewed as a miraculous return to Protestantism, marking a significant shift in English religious life and governance. The legacy of Mary I remains complex, straddling the line between fervent Catholic restoration and the political chaos of her reign.