Mary I 1553-58
Mary’s Background
She was sent to Ludlow in 1525. She saw her parents only occasionally for the next 3 years.
She was once betrothed to the Emperor Charles V, became increasingly dependent on
Charles for advice about her circumstances Charles was furious with Henry for divorcing his
aunt.
In 1533, Mary refused to accept that she had been made illegitimate as a result of the
marriage between Henry and Anne Boleyn. Her movements were restricted and was denied
access to her mother. She resisted taking the Oath of Supremacy until the threat of
execution for high treason was hanging over her in 1536. Mary appeared at court more
frequently. In 1545 her place in succession was settled.
Mary during the reign of Edward- Mary had to read carefully. In 1549 she flouted the
introduction of the new Prayer Book and the prohibition of the Mass by celebrating Mass. In
1553, a “device” for the succession was drawn up that excluded both Mary and Elizabeth on
the grounds of their illegitimacy. Mary proclaimed herself Queen in Northfolk on 10th July
1553.
Mary I- Tudor dynasty had been broken by the appointment of Lady Jane Grey as Queen.
Northumberland ignored Henry VIII’s will which had placed Mary next in succession.
Northumberland used laws to secure the throne for his daughter-in-law.
Lady Jane Grey- 9th July she addressed Privy Council asserting her right to the throne.
Several towns proclaimed Mary Queen. By 19th July, Mary had officially proclaimed herself
as Queen.
Mary’s government
The problem was her life experiences had made her mistrust her English councillors and she
leaned heavily on advice from the Habsburg ambassador. She freed political prisoners such
as Duke of Norfolk and Gardiner. Some members of Northumberland’s Council were
imprisoned, were allowed to join the new privy council.
Privy Council- System of central and local government remained fundamentally unchanged
during Mary’s reign. Mary was forced to chose councillors from her own Royal Household.
Mary rewarded many who had been loyal to her appointing 30 during July 1553 before she
entered London. Often been claimed that the Privy council contained members of
Northumberland's Council had been sworn in as councillors. Mary’s privy council was too
large and too prone to factionalism to function effectively. Mary appointed 50 councillors
during her brief reign. The Privy Council rarely met with all members present. Councillors
generally provided skillful administration, the role of the Privy Council in managing the daily
running of government was becoming more established. The Privy Council helped
strengthen royal finance. Factionalism though present was somewhat diminished in the Privy
Council as Mary signed all state papers by hand and didn’t allow the use of a “dry stamp”.
Mary didn’t show any real confidence in her council.
Parliament- Mary held five Parliaments during her reign, there were 104 acts passed but in
general they were inspired. Lords and Commons worked together to limit the power of Philip
of Spain. In 1554 they rejected a bill to include Philips name in the protective clauses of the
treason laws and in 1555 they prevent his coronation as King. After the Wyatt’s Rebellion in
1554, Parliament also rejected the Crown's proposals to exclude Elizabeth from succession.
About 80 MPs also opposed the repeal if the Edwardian legalisation Mary had support from
the higher clergy in the House of Lords. Both houses seem to have cooperated with the
Mary’s Background
She was sent to Ludlow in 1525. She saw her parents only occasionally for the next 3 years.
She was once betrothed to the Emperor Charles V, became increasingly dependent on
Charles for advice about her circumstances Charles was furious with Henry for divorcing his
aunt.
In 1533, Mary refused to accept that she had been made illegitimate as a result of the
marriage between Henry and Anne Boleyn. Her movements were restricted and was denied
access to her mother. She resisted taking the Oath of Supremacy until the threat of
execution for high treason was hanging over her in 1536. Mary appeared at court more
frequently. In 1545 her place in succession was settled.
Mary during the reign of Edward- Mary had to read carefully. In 1549 she flouted the
introduction of the new Prayer Book and the prohibition of the Mass by celebrating Mass. In
1553, a “device” for the succession was drawn up that excluded both Mary and Elizabeth on
the grounds of their illegitimacy. Mary proclaimed herself Queen in Northfolk on 10th July
1553.
Mary I- Tudor dynasty had been broken by the appointment of Lady Jane Grey as Queen.
Northumberland ignored Henry VIII’s will which had placed Mary next in succession.
Northumberland used laws to secure the throne for his daughter-in-law.
Lady Jane Grey- 9th July she addressed Privy Council asserting her right to the throne.
Several towns proclaimed Mary Queen. By 19th July, Mary had officially proclaimed herself
as Queen.
Mary’s government
The problem was her life experiences had made her mistrust her English councillors and she
leaned heavily on advice from the Habsburg ambassador. She freed political prisoners such
as Duke of Norfolk and Gardiner. Some members of Northumberland’s Council were
imprisoned, were allowed to join the new privy council.
Privy Council- System of central and local government remained fundamentally unchanged
during Mary’s reign. Mary was forced to chose councillors from her own Royal Household.
Mary rewarded many who had been loyal to her appointing 30 during July 1553 before she
entered London. Often been claimed that the Privy council contained members of
Northumberland's Council had been sworn in as councillors. Mary’s privy council was too
large and too prone to factionalism to function effectively. Mary appointed 50 councillors
during her brief reign. The Privy Council rarely met with all members present. Councillors
generally provided skillful administration, the role of the Privy Council in managing the daily
running of government was becoming more established. The Privy Council helped
strengthen royal finance. Factionalism though present was somewhat diminished in the Privy
Council as Mary signed all state papers by hand and didn’t allow the use of a “dry stamp”.
Mary didn’t show any real confidence in her council.
Parliament- Mary held five Parliaments during her reign, there were 104 acts passed but in
general they were inspired. Lords and Commons worked together to limit the power of Philip
of Spain. In 1554 they rejected a bill to include Philips name in the protective clauses of the
treason laws and in 1555 they prevent his coronation as King. After the Wyatt’s Rebellion in
1554, Parliament also rejected the Crown's proposals to exclude Elizabeth from succession.
About 80 MPs also opposed the repeal if the Edwardian legalisation Mary had support from
the higher clergy in the House of Lords. Both houses seem to have cooperated with the
