Mary I and the Burning of Protestants: Fact vs Myth
Learning Objective
At the end of the lesson you will be able to explain and evaluate Mary I's actions against Protestants, compare her to other monarchs, and question if her reputation as 'Bloody Mary' is fair.
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Learning Objective
At the end of the lesson you will be able to explain and evaluate Mary I's actions against Protestants, compare her to other monarchs, and question if her reputation as 'Bloody Mary' is fair.
What do you already know about Mary I and her treatment of Protestants?
How Many Were Burned?
Mary I ordered 284 Protestants to be burned over five years—one every five days. This number is heavily debated and some claim figures are exaggerated or duplicated.
Monarchs and Executions: A Comparison
Henry VIII: 81 burned, 70,000 executed overall. Edward VI: 2 burned. Elizabeth I: 5 burned, 300 executed in a single act.
Mary I (1553–1558)
Burned 284 people. Mainly targeted Protestants. Executed some high-profile church leaders.
Other Monarchs
Impact on the Population
Most of the English people were unaffected by the burnings. Around 800 Protestants fled abroad to escape persecution.
Secret Motives and Influences
Mary permitted some Protestants to escape. She showed mercy to rebels and resisted killing her half-sister Elizabeth, despite evidence she could use against her. Cardinal Pole, a key adviser, influenced Mary’s tough policy.
Controversy: Was Mary Unusually Cruel?
Mary’s actions mirrored punishments common across 16th-century Europe. Her father-in-law, King of Spain, killed far more Protestants. Executing dissenters and criminals was routine for rulers.
Bloody Mary: Reputation vs Reality
Protestant writers, like John Foxe, strongly shaped Mary’s image as ‘Bloody Mary.’ Their accounts exaggerated events to support their cause. Modern historians urge us to question these biased sources.
Reflection: Judging Mary I
Based on the evidence, do you think the label ‘Bloody Mary’ is justified? Consider what sources you can trust and how history should judge harsh rulers.
Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.
Write down 2 things you want to know more about.
Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.
