Mary I: Bloody Mary or Misunderstood?
Learning Objective
At the end of the lesson you will understand why Mary I became known as 'Bloody Mary', compare her actions to other monarchs, and analyse the reliability of historical sources about her reign.
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Learning Objective
At the end of the lesson you will understand why Mary I became known as 'Bloody Mary', compare her actions to other monarchs, and analyse the reliability of historical sources about her reign.
What do you already know about Mary I and her reputation?
Mary I’s Religious Persecutions
Mary I burned 284 Protestants at the stake in five years—a rate of one person every five days. Her victims included important religious figures such as the Archbishop.
How Did Other Monarchs Compare?
Burned 284 Protestants in 5 years. Executed high-profile figures.
Henry VIII: 81 burnt, 70,000 total executed. Edward VI: 2 burnt. Elizabeth I: 5 burnt, 300 executed after a rebellion.
Other Monarchs
Mary I (1553–1558)
The Protestant View
The main source for Mary’s burnings was written by a Protestant keen to make her look evil. The book exaggerates her cruelty and likely contains errors in the victim count.
Brutality in 16th Century England
Execution was normal during the 16th century. Punishments included burning, hanging, and beheading even for minor or religious crimes. Mary’s father-in-law in Spain executed tens of thousands for heresy.
Was Mary Personally Brutal?
Key Influences
Forgiveness
Her adviser, Cardinal Pole, who had suffered under Edward VI, helped drive the burnings. Mary may have disliked violence herself.
Mary pardoned 400 rebels from Wyatt’s rebellion and let 800 Protestants flee instead of killing them.
Mary’s Legacy: Bloody or Misunderstood?
Mary’s actions were shaped by her time, her advisers, and the divisions in English society. Most people were unaffected, but her reputation as 'Bloody Mary' remains powerful today.
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.
