Bloody Mary
Mary Tudor has been Queen of England since 1553. This is the turn of the Middle Ages and early modern times in British history. The queen from the Tudor dynasty, who was glorified, of course, not by her, but by her half-sister Elizabeth I the Great, daughter of Henry VIII from another marriage. During the reign of Mary, the history of the Tudors did not end, but did a stunning zigzag. A turn in an unexpected direction.
The thing is that the Tudor dynasty as a whole is characterized by support for the developing early capitalism and the reformation, while the support is reasonable, without extremes. And, of course, the rivalry with Spain. With Mary, the opposite is true. She, in essence, tried to stop time by raising the banner of the counter-reformation. Roman Emperor Julian Apostate from another era.
It is possible to try to implement this kind of policy exclusively by direct violence. Mary resorted to this, who went down in history with the eerie nickname Mary Tudor - Bloody. And at first she was the love of the nation, and even for some time a real idol, like a persecuted, offended. However, the same people that pitied her so much later called her Bloody. This nickname appeared in Protestant pamphlets during her lifetime. And Elizabeth I had a lot of efforts to cope with the consequences of Mary's policy.
Of course, for the strange, almost unnatural behavior of the monarch, there must have been very serious reasons. And the personal fate of Mary Tudor can explain a lot.
Mary was born on February 15, 1515. Father - Henry VIII - ascended the throne in 1509. Over the years of his reign, he has changed almost beyond recognition. He came to the throne as an almost humanist who loved not only knightly tournaments, but also ancient literature. Erasmus of Rotterdam wrote a laudatory ode in his honor. Henry appointed Thomas More as his first adviser, Lord Chancellor. And he was mercilessly executed because he rejected the Reformation.
By the time Mary was born, the king had been looking forward to the birth of an heir for six years. And only a boy was to be the heir. In those days, no one could have imagined what an important role women's rule will play in the history of Great Britain - from Elizabeth I the Great and Queen Victoria to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In medieval Europe, it was believed that a woman could not be in power.
The wife of Henry VIII at that time was Catherine of Aragon. And she had boys - but only dead ones. A long, difficult divorce followed, which she did not recognize until the end of her life.
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The next wife, a representative of the English nobility, Anne Boleyn, became the mother of Elizabeth, and later she was executed on charges of high treason and adultery.
Then the king married Jane Seymour, who died shortly after giving birth. There was also Anna Klevskaya, who did not like Henry to such an extent that he ordered her to be sent away and achieved divorce.
Another wife, Catherine Howard, was executed for lecherous behavior. The king told everyone incredible stories that she cheated on him with hundreds of men.
The last wife of Henry was Catherine Parr, young, sweet, meek, who persuaded the elderly glutton and libertine to calm down and recognize children from previous marriages. Perhaps he would have executed them too, if not for her ennobling influence.
The mother of Mary Tudor, Catherine of Aragon, was the youngest daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, the famous Catholic kings who unified Spain. Isabella is a fanatical believer. Ferdinand is fanatically greedy.
At the age of 16, Catherine was brought to England and married to 14-year-old Arthur - Prince of Wales, the elder brother of the future Henry VIII.
She shouldn't have become Queen of England at all. Catherine's husband was seriously ill and soon died. Henry, barely becoming king, married his brother's widow, who remained in England due to the fact that her fantastically stingy father Ferdinand did not want to pay her dowry. Perhaps one of the main reasons for Henry's decision to marry Catherine was his intention to keep the peace with the growing strength of Spain. This country was part of the Habsburg Empire, over which, according to its emperor Charles V, the sun never set. The empire united German, Italian lands, small possessions in France, the Netherlands, possessions in the New World. It was tempting to be related to such a royal house. Moreover, Henry VIII treated the marriage with ease.
Catherine was six years older than her husband. After two sons, who were born dead, and the third, who died in infancy, she gave birth to a daughter Mary at the age of 30. And although this was not the long-awaited heir, hope persisted, and the girl was treated well. Her father called her "the greatest pearl of the kingdom." She was very pretty: fluffy blond curls, a slender short figure. She was dressed up, brought to feasts, asked to dance in front of the ambassadors. By the way, it was their records that preserved the history of her childhood.
She had everything: balls and outfits. There was only parental attention. The king was busy both with the affairs of the state and with amusements, which he loved very much. Catherine tried to keep up. She was very worried not to look old against his background. Moreover, he always had favorites.
Little Mary is not only a child with whom parents spend too little time. With the birth of it, it became what can be conditionally called a dynastic commodity. In the Middle Ages, royal children were seen as a kind of product that could be profitably sold on the international market.
From the age of 3, negotiations began on her future marriage.
The balance of power in 16th century Europe was highly uncertain. The system of international relations took shape much later, in the middle of the next century, after a 30-year war. In the meantime, the situation remained unstable. The papacy, this outgoing theocratic force, wove intricate intrigues. France started colossal Italian wars. The French king Francis I was in captivity during the war with the Habsburgs and sought to free himself from this humiliation through new conquests. In these contradictions, friendship with England could become a strong political trump card.
Maria, as the only heiress, had a high price. At first, she was married to the Dauphin of France, the future Henry II. This marriage did not take place. Later, when Mary's position became not so strong, they began to predict the maximum of the Duke of Savoy as her husband.
1518 - Catherine of Aragon, who was still trying to give Henry VIII an heir, gave birth to a dead girl. And in 1519, the king had an illegitimate son from a noble lady of the court Elizabeth Blount. He was given the beautiful romantic name Henry Fitzroy. Little Maria did not yet understand the danger he posed to her. Henry VIII was not prevented from recognizing this child as legitimate. The king generally put his will above everyone, even above the will of the papal throne.
But while Maria continued a wonderful life. She was taught languages. She perfectly recited poetry in Latin, read and spoke Greek, was interested in ancient authors. She was even more attracted by the labors of the Church Fathers. None of the humanists who surrounded the king took care of her upbringing. And she grew up a devout Catholic.
Meanwhile, a dark shadow hung over her: the King wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon. A divorce from a Spanish woman, a Catholic, the daughter of the "most Christian kings" Isabella and Ferdinand, who was the aunt of Emperor Charles V - this idea looked insane. But Heinrich showed incredible tenacity.
What drove his actions? Among other things - the desire to profit from the wealth of the church. In England, starting from the 13th century, monarchs now and then found themselves in great dependence on the Roman throne, like, for example, John Lackland, who recognized himself as a vassal of the pope. The fact that a large tribute was paid to the Holy See caused a wave of protests. At the end of the 14th century, there was already a theologian Dison Wyclef, who theoretically questioned the authority of the popes.
When Henry VIII married Catherine, he had to obtain permission from the Roman throne, along with a special document confirming that her marriage to Prince Arthur was not realized and the bride remained clean. Now the Pope did not want to give Henry VIII the right to divorce. In a rage, the king announced that he himself was pope in England. And in 1527 he allowed himself a divorce. Moreover, he declared the marriage invalid, and Mary was an illegitimate child.
1533 - the king eventually "divorced himself" from his annoying wife. After that, Mary, who was previously the only legal heiress and already held the title of Princess of Wales, was stripped of her status. From 12 to 16 years old, she is the daughter of a hated divorced wife, was in disgrace with her mother. Now she was called the illegitimate daughter of Henry VIII. And they treated her accordingly: they moved her to much worse conditions, deprived her of her own yard, showed negligence in every possible way. Mary began to fear for her life: numerous executions began of people displeasing to the king, first of all those who did not support the policy of the Reformation pursued by him.
Thomas More was executed, refusing to take the oath of oath to Henry VIII as head of the Church of England and to recognize his marriage to Anne Boleyn as legal. Thomas More did this knowing full well that he was condemning himself to death. The reprisal against him made a terrible impression on the whole of Europe. Soon after receiving the news of Mora's execution, Erasmus of Rotterdam, who loved him as his closest friend, died.
It was in this gloomy moment that popularity again came to Mary. Before that, she was a sweet child, a pretty princess who danced for foreign ambassadors. Now she, persecuted, has become popular among the people. Catherine of Aragon showed amazing firmness in this story. Until the end of her days, she signed "Catherine, the unfortunate queen", although she was no longer officially a queen. She was neither executed, nor even imprisoned, because she was from the powerful Spain. But she was doomed to a miserable existence in a remote castle with Maria. The girl, rejected by her father, was sincerely pitied among the people. Catherine of Aragon and Mary became the banner of the future Counter-Reformation. Scotland, in particular, fiercely resisted the reforms of Henry VIII.
And the Reformation in the 30s of the 16th century took extreme, cruel forms. For example, the famous tomb of Thomas Becket, the holy archbishop of Canterbury, who was killed in the 12th century, was destroyed. It was a place of pilgrimage, where miraculous healings took place more than once. And so, under the banner of church reform and the fight against Catholic prejudices, with the knowledge of Henry VIII, the tomb was plundered, precious stones were dug out, precious fabrics were stolen, and the bones of the saint were burned. This was done on the basis of the permission of Henry VIII, who signed the following text: “Thomas Becket, the former Bishop of Canterbury, proclaimed a saint by the Roman authorities, is no longer such. And it should not be read."
1536 - Henry VIII executed Anne Boleyn and after 11 days entered into a new marriage - with Jane Seymour, who in 1537 finally gave birth to his son - the future King Edward VI. The delivery was very difficult, and a few days later, Jane Seymour died. Rumors spread throughout the country that it was necessary to fight for the life of both mother and child, but the king said: "To save only the heir."
22-year-old Maria became the godmother of the prince. It seems to be a favor. But now she had no hope of regaining the status of heiress. Her situation was very difficult: between warring parents; between different denominations; between two England, one of which accepted the Reformation and the other did not; between two countries - England and Spain, where there were relatives who wrote to the girl and tried to support her. The powerful Charles V, her cousin, was ready to move his huge troops against England at any moment.
Meanwhile, trading continued on the dynastic market. First, Mary was married to the Dauphin of France, then Henry VIII turned to an alliance with the Habsburgs, and she became the alleged bride of her cousin Emperor Charles V. As a child, she even sent him a ring, which he put on his little finger with a laugh and said: "Well, I'll wear it in memory of her." Then the king of Scotland and someone from southeastern Europe were planned as suitors. This meant a drop in status. In the worst times, there were rumors that Mary could be passed off as some kind of Slavic prince. Then there was a candidacy for the son of the Duke of Kiev (this is also a province, low level). Francesco Sforza, the ruler of Milan, was considered. And again the French prince. Maria lived all the time as in a showcase, put up for sale.
1547 - her half-brother Edward VI became king. Mary's position at court was restored.
But she had no political prospects or personal life. She was increasingly interested in religious issues. Affected by her inner loneliness, broken fate. And for the remnants of the Catholic clergy, it remained a symbol of the Counter-Reformation. She was perfect for this role: persecuted, living in unceasing prayer, faithful Catholic. In addition, she is the daughter of the fanatical Catholic Catherine of Aragon and the granddaughter of the most Catholic Western European kings.
There were many in England who would like to return to yesterday. Where there was no Reformation, early capitalism with its massive impoverishment, enclosure of lands, painful breaking of customary relations. Indeed, even today there are often people who asserted that only in that irrevocably gone world would they be good.
We do not know for sure how consciously Mary played the role of inspirer of the Counter-Reformation. Most likely, there was no politicking in her behavior.
Edward VI died very early - at the age of 15. So in 1553, Mary again becomes the real heir to the throne. But the court forces tried to prevent her and put forward another applicant - young Jane Gray - the granddaughter of Henry VIII's sister. The people did not support this decision. The Londoners ardently stood up for Mary, a devout, unmarried woman, who gave no grounds for any bad rumors.
After several days of popular unrest, Mary Tudor became Queen of England. The ghost of the crown, seemingly melted long ago, suddenly became a reality. And she immediately took revenge for all the years of persecution. The executions began immediately. Numerous Gray were executed - not only the unfortunate henchman of the courtiers, but all of her relatives. Executed was Archbishop Cranmer, an ardent supporter of the Reformation, a well-educated, intellectual, comparable to Thomas More. Every day, heretics were burned at the stake. In cruelty, Mary surpassed even her father.
The queen decided that her husband could only be one person - the son of Emperor Charles V Philip II of Spain. He was 26 at the time, she was 39. But he was not just a young man - he managed, like herself, to become the banner of the Counter-Reformation, leading the struggle against Calvinism, which was rapidly spreading in Europe. In the Netherlands, Philip, who constantly demonstrated unity with the Inquisition, over time began to be considered a monster.
As you know, the spouse of the queen in England does not become king. His title is Prince Consort. Even so, the appearance of such an odious figure in the kingdom was a terrifying event. And Maria also emphasized that this was the decision of her heart, her soul.
The wedding took place on July 25, 1554. It was clear to most thinking people that it was a rainy day. But Maria was happy. The young husband seemed to her handsome, although his surviving portraits clearly indicated the opposite. Court feasts and balls began. Maria wanted to make up for everything she lost in her youth.
But there were also many problems. Philip arrived with a large Spanish entourage. It turned out that the Spanish aristocracy was poorly compatible with the English. They even dressed differently. The Spaniards' collars were such that the head could not be lowered and the person acquired an arrogant look. The British wrote with resentment about the Spaniards: "They behave as if we were their servants." Conflicts began, and fights broke out at court.
A trial followed, someone was executed. And they were executed lavishly.
Philip was secular at court, but ardently supported Mary's bloody policy. He brought with him special people who conducted trials of Protestant heretics. The burning procedure has become commonplace. Philip seemed to be preparing for the nightmare that he would arrange in the Netherlands in the 1560s.
In England at the time of Henry VIII there were 3,000 Catholic priests who took refuge in abandoned, dilapidated temples, in the ruins of monasteries. They were wanted and driven out of the country. 300 of those deemed especially active and dangerous were burned. Now Mary and Philip have launched reprisals against those who accepted the Reformation. The unhappy country found itself in the grip of religious fanaticism.
The persecuted Protestants began to arouse popular sympathy. As Mary herself had once been the object of ardent sympathy, now her enemies have taken this place. During public executions, some of them displayed exceptional courage. If at first many repented, as they were ordered, asked for forgiveness, then in the face of death they changed their behavior. Archbishop Cranmer, who also repented, said before his death: “I am sorry that I repented. I wanted to save my life to help you, my brothers, Protestants. The people were shocked by the courage of these people. The attitude to Mary, on the contrary, became worse and worse. After all, no one expected from her either such cruelty, or a crowd of foreigners.
There was also another important incident. It was announced to the people that the queen was expecting an heir from Philip of Spain. This important news meant that a new danger arose: Philip could achieve to be recognized as the English king. The news of the Queen's pregnancy turned out to be false. Perhaps Maria herself believed that she would have a child, or was playing a difficult political game. Trying to change popular opinion.
People tend to believe that a woman with the birth of a child becomes softer, kinder. And the queen's husband, so not beloved by the British, got tired of court entertainments and left for Spain. The subjects had to believe that everything would be fine now.
Understandably, the rumor of the imminent birth of an infant is difficult to maintain beyond nine months. Maria was able to hold out for 12 months. The medicine of that era was not very precise. But in the end, I had to admit that there was a mistake. This happened in 1555, at a time when Charles V abdicated power and Philip became king of Spain. He received half of the Habsburg Empire and was preparing to fight for the unification of all its lands.
To support her husband, Maria came into conflict with France. An ill-conceived war began, for which England was not ready. In 1558, the British lost Calais - the "gateway to France", the last piece of their former possessions on the continent. Mary's words are known: "When I die and my heart is opened, they will find Kale there."
Her whole destiny was one big failure. During her lifetime, people began to call her Bloody. And he put his hopes on another princess - the future Elizabeth I. As it turned out, not in vain. Being by nature much more intelligent, Elizabeth saw the terrible mistakes of her half-sister, who tried to forcibly turn history back.
Elizabeth, who was part of Mary's retinue for some time, behaved quietly and therefore remained alive. And after the death of her sister in 1558, she became the great ruler of England.
N. Basovskaya