To What Extent Did Mary 1 A Complete Failure?

2962 Words6 Pages

Since the beginning of Mary I’s reign in 1553, the question of whether she was a complete failure has been widely debated. This has divided historians into having either a traditionalist or revisionist viewpoint on Mary’s reign. Traditionalists fall on the spectrum of Mary being a failure; they believe that she did not have any significant achievements and failed to rule England with her unfulfilled Catholic restoration. However, revisionists fall on the other end of the spectrum of Mary being a successful monarch who has been overshadowed by the reign of her sister, Elizabeth I. In order to evaluate whether Mary was a complete failure, it is important to review the following factors: Mary’s religious reform back to Catholicism, her marriage …show more content…

At the beginning of her reign, England’s economic situation plummeted. She had inherited a debt of £185,000 from Edward VI along with inflation due to the debasement of coinage. It was important for Mary to restore the economy to prove her determination as a leader, and with the aid of William Paulet she implemented a string of successful economic policies. Revisionist historian Derrick Murphy provides a justified argument that ‘The Marian financial reforms were fundamental for Elizabeth’s solvency and thus for the Elizabeth achievement as a whole.’ His view is strengthened by evidence that Mary’s economic policies successfully continued into Elizabeth’s reign. The most significant reforms Elizabeth inherited were the 1558 Marian Book of Rates and the 1554 Court of Exchequer. The Marian Book of Rates was a vital economic success that fixed levels of duties on products, making new rates 100% higher. Not only this, but it dramatically raised customer revenue from £29,000 to £83,000. John Lotherington reinforces its importance as ‘The Marian Book survived until 1604, giving Mary greater success in this area even more than Henry VIII or Edward VI’, corroborating Murphy’s view. Although under-utilised by Elizabeth, the Marian Book of Rates was an undeniable triumph which contributed to the Marian economic recovery. The Court of Exchequer was another achievement in Mary’s economic reform, which replaced the Court of First Fruits and Tenths along with the Court of Augmentations. In consequence, revenue collection was more effective than ever and there was better efficiency in administrating finances when expanded. Again, Mary had proved successful in economic reform and the Court was heavily used by Elizabeth during her reign. Further support from the 1553 Proclamation of Recoinage states: ‘Coyns as well as gold and silver of the perfect fineness and of the standard of Stirling were

More about To What Extent Did Mary 1 A Complete Failure?

Open Document