Miles - History 2. The significance of pressures on Mary Tudor Flashcards
Issue of Mary Tudor’s gender.
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Mary I
Known as the ‘most unhappy lady in Christendom’, born 1516, she was the only surviving child of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.
Henry put her under to that she would admit that his marriage with her mother was illegal.This made Henry the King of the English church.
Edward VI
Edward died at age 15 in 1553, he put forward an order so that his cousin Lady Jane Grey would be his successor. However, Henry’s will states that Mary was the successor.
Mary pt2
Mary was determined to restore England to Catholosism through Parliment, she wanted to produce a male heir.
Queen Mary’s marriage act passed in April 1554 - she married King Phillip of Spain which gave him the title of King but Mary still has sovreignity
Mary pt3
Phillip polluted her with bad political advice. They reinstated the Heresy Laws which allowed Protestants to be executed and 800 to be exiled during her reign.
This gave her the nickname ‘bloody Mary’
She died in 1558
What do we know about Mary I?
According to Giovvani Michiel, Venetian ambassador, he states that
Mary was ;
short,
used to be beautiful,
manly voice,
loud,
petit stature
John Knox extract
in 1558, Calvinist preacher John Knox stated that Mary’s gender was not fitting to rule a nation. He said in was unholy and it was an insult to God’s laws.
He saw Mary as weak and unreliable.
Theories on Queenship
16th century England was a Patriacal society. Men ruled in all governments and women were seen as inferior to men. However, by the mid 16th century, women rose to power in different places.
John Aylmer
As opposed to John Knox, he argues that men could be just as bad as women in power. However, Aylmer argued that a Queen would take orders from other men, he also stated that she couldn’t abuse the laws as they were enacted by men.
Solutions.
Function of a Queen is to produce a male heir.
Solution 1 - Mary could marry a foreign King and they would be similar status, however the child could not inherit land from both nations. This would cause problems.
Solution 2 - Mary could marry an Englishmen. However, would this cause problems? there would be disputes over status.
Mary speech
Mary’s speech infront of the Wyatt rebels showed that Mary was at least aware of the opposition against her and her religion. In that speech, she emphasised her lineage, being she son of Henry VIII which legitamises her role as the Queen.
John Guy - The Tudors
JohnGuy argues that Mary governs similar to Henry VIII. She gathers male advisers and reciprocates the ideas to the privy council.
Marriage of Mary Tudor and King Phillip.
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Mary and marriage
It was Mary’s duty to provide a male heir as it was more likely to perpetuate the Catholic faith that she sought to restore
Phillip wasn’t keen on marrying Mary, however, he would be able to fulfill his dynastic interests and he could get credit for returning England to Papal fold.
The marriage Treaty
The Act of parliment for a marriage between Mary I and Prince Phillip of spain 1554 :
Terms - had to benefit all parties, however, some of them were detrimental
It was evident to see that the terms were in favour of Mary.
Terms
Benefitial to Mary and England
Phillip was to help administer England, preserving its rights, privileges and customs.
Detrimental to Mary and England - Nothing.
Terms pt2
Benefitial to Phillip and Spain ;
Phillip was titled King.
England and Spain’s friendship was consolidated.
Terms pt3
Detrimental to Phillip and Spain
If there were no heirs, or Mary were to die before Phillip, neither would have right to the throne.
Important dates 1557
March 1557 - Phillip returns to England to persuade Mary to join his war against France.
June 1557 - England declares war with france and Phillip leaves England
Important dates 1558
January 1558 - French forces capture Cailias, England’s last continental possession.
November 1558 - Mary died childless.
How was Mary’s marriage to Phillip detrimental?
He polluted her with bad political advice.
She didn’t even fulfill the bare minimum of producing an heir.
Lost last territory.
The state of the marriage.
-No courtship prior to the marriage.
-Met 2 days before for the first time.
-Phillip hardly spoke English.
-Mary claimed pregnant twice when she wasn’t pregnant.
-There was an arise of xenophobia in London against the Spanish.
‘A marriage of inconvenience’ - not beneficial
-Phillip spent most of his time abroad.
-No children resulted from the marriage.
-England was drawn into a war against France.
Beneficial
Provided Mary with an intermittent and distinct confidant.
Marriage treaty limited Phillip’s power in government, he helped restore England to papal authority.
Factional conflict between Paget and Gardiner under Mary
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What is a faction?
A group of people, similar to a movement who share the same notions, and work together to make it happen.
Factions under Mary - overview
Critics argued Mary’s government was too big in order to function properly.
This is supported by a lack of formal council discussion about her decision to marry Phillip. However, routine administration was effective.
Mary kept councillors who has served Edwars and were willing to show her loyalty. This included William Paget.
pt2
Stephen Gardiner was released from the London Tower, where he was being kept for his Catholic beliefs.
‘Keninnghall Faction’ was a group who helped her to gain the throne and now become the Privy council leader as a reward for their loyalty.
