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Bloody Bloody Mary &# 65279; Bloody Mary Mary I, Queen of England was a very prominent figure in European history. Her reign as queen was filled with many trials and tribulations that were not accepted by most of England. Many of Marys rash decisions were most likely do to her upbringing and her lack of will power. Whether it is being declared a bastard as a young child by her tyrannical father, Henry VIII, or her marriage to Phillip of Spain, Mary was easily influenced by others and it showed as she grew older and took over the thrown. Mary was born the daughter of Henry VIII and Katherine.
Henry had failed again to bear a son to retain the thrown after him. His annulment from Katherine was not granted so Henry decreed that the Church of England be separate from the Church of Rome. Katherine still tried not to jeopardize her daughters succession to the thrown, for this she was banished and Mary was declared a bastard. These events had a devastating effect on Mary who was once adored by both parents.
Mary never saw her mother again and her stepmother, Anne Boleyn, treated her with extreme cruelty, even threatening to have her executed. All these things affected Marys adolescence. She suffered premenstrual tension her whole life; her periods were infrequent or absent all together. But through all this her mothers influence stayed with her. She inherited her piety and love of religion from her mother and made it her lifes crusade to restore England with the faith Katherine had been so devoted.
Marys innocence and naivety stayed with her throughout her whole life. This was present in her statement, What is a whore, Ive never heard the word before. (Weir 12). And even more present in her marriage to Philip of Spain. Philip was simply following orders, in no way was he attracted to Mary; Philip wanted to gain England as part of the Habsburg empire. Neither Spain nor England agreed with the marriage.
They communicated in Latin since both could not communicate in English or Spanish (Marilee 2). Mary then led Philip through many false pregnancies, this was due to her irregular periods and she was now entering menopause and developing a stomach tumor. Few questioned her because she honestly believed herself (Liston 117). Philip left and said he wouldnt return unless he was crowned king.
Mary continued to help Philip with the war on France and it was greatly hurting England. It was costing them money, weapons, and Calais, their last foothold on the continent; the people who widely accepted Mary were beginning to turn away (Marilee 2). Philip returned to England with two friars, leaders of the Spanish Inquisition. They encouraged Mary to take charge of her own desire and reestablish Catholicism in England (Liston 193). For what Mary thought was for the good of all the English people, she mercilessly killed more than three hundred of her subjects. Most of these victims were burned at the stake by incompetent executors.
Gunpowder bags wouldnt explode, wet wood would burn slowly, and spectators were forced to watch innocent Protestants become martyrs. This all only strengthened the religion Mary hoped to destroy (Weir 219). Mary was further weakened by famine that set in while the burnings continued. All of England grew to hate her and she adopted the name Bloody Mary which is still commonly known today. She then became a laughing stock when she begged for Philips return and claimed more pregnancies.
She faced death realizing that Elizabeth would succeed her, she imprisoned her and threatened her with execution, but much like Henry VIII did not want Mary to inherit the thrown; her wishes ceased to matter when she died (These 227). Marys sheer naivety made her very gullible for anyone who wanted something from her. The influence of her mother was simply exploited by Philip and the leaders of Spain, she would have never done that but the man she adored made her believe it was the right thing to do. Katherine was the only secure figure in Marys life and when she was banished, Marys spirit and independence unknowingly withered. Outline Thesis: Marys innocence made her easily influenced by others and it showed as she grew older and took over the thrown. I.
Introduction to Mary I A. Lack of will power B. Trials during her life 1. Bastard as a young child 2. Marriage to Philip II. Marys early childhood A.
Henry VIII her father 1. Left his wife and his daughter 2. Anne Boleyn B. Katherine 1. Never jeopardized her daughter 2. Banished by Henry 3.
Greatly influenced Marys life a. Love of religion b. Mary would restore England to that faith 4. Tension brought by these tragic events III. Marys innocence A. What is a whore B.
Marriage to Philip of Spain 1. Following orders 2. Wanted England as part of the Habsburg empire. 3. Communicated in Latin a. Philip didnt know English b. Mary didnt know Spanish 4.
Mary led Philip through false pregnancies a. irregular period b. menopause c. stomach tumor 5.
Philip left England a. Mary continued to help Philip b. It was hurting England IV. Marys bloodbath A. Philips return to England B. Influence of leaders of the Spanish Inquisition C.
Execution of more than three hundred 1. Burned at the stake 2. Protestants became martyrs 3. Only strengthened their religion V. Marys fall A. Famine B.
Adopted the nick name Bloody Mary C. More false pregnancies D. Her hated sister Elizabeth would retain the thrown
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