Mary Tudor Research Paper

Mary Tudor led an influential life as she reigned as Queen of England. Being the first female monarch, a different aspect of modern rule arose. Due to having a troubled past, she showed a darker side of her that led to a vicious future. Mary’s malevolent actions, both gruesome and unethical, paved the way for her to be known throughout history as Bloody Mary. In spite of her vile doings, she made positive advancements in England which were overlooked.

Mary Tudor was born at the Palace of Placentia in Greenwich, England. On the eighteenth of February in 1516, she became the only surviving child of Henry Vlll and Catherine of Aragon. (2) Despite this, King Henry was desperate for a son. His yearning for a male heir caused him to proceed with drastic measures. At six years old, Mary was arranged to marry Holy Roman Empire, Carlos V. Although he was significantly older than her, they planned to wed by the time she reached the age of twelve. (3) In 1525, Carlos had broken off the engagement. Also in that year, at the premature age of nine, Mary was titled Princess of Wales. She was later casted to live on the Welsh border by her father. This caused a further strained relationship between her and Henry VIII which would later grow worse. (4) Two years later, Mary returned to the English

She intended to force England back to Catholicism within her short reign of five years. (3) During this time period, Mary Tudor used her power to enforce strict rule. Although her methods were in no way ethical, under her rule she converted England back to Catholicism. This was due to her strong leadership tactics. (2) “A strict Heresy Act was revived under which people of protestant faith were either executed by burning or exiled.” (8) Because of her mass killings of the protestant citizens, Mary coined the name “Bloody Mary”. (4) I believe this made her very important to history. Till this day, she is infamously known by her