Page 30 - All About History 48 - 2017 UK

BLOODY

MARY

ON TRIAL

Henry VIII’s deadliest daughter

or victim of Protestant propaganda?

Written by Nicola Tallis

hen a princess was born to Henry VIII In 1527, Mary’s happy family life was shattered Katherine and Henry’s marriage had been invalid,
and his wife, Katherine of Aragon, on when her father loudly declared his intention to making Mary illegitimate. This angered Henry
18 February 1516, the royal couple were separate from her mother. He had fallen in love greatly, and caused a rift between father and
overjoyed. Named Mary, she was to be with one of the queen’s ladies, Anne Boleyn, daughter that was to continue for many years.
W the couple’s only surviving child, and as and Henry was certain she could give him what Ontopofthis,theeffectthatthepsychological
such her parents doted on her. Nevertheless, she Katherine could not: a son. This was to be the stresshadonMarywasstaggering:shesuffered
was not the male heir that her father desperately start of the unhappiest period of Mary’s life, and from bouts of ill health, and her emotions were
needed to succeed him – a circumstance that the effects on her would be permanent. As Henry inconstantturmoil.Herfatherwasunmovedby
would prove to be pivotal not only in her life, but began proceedings to have his marriage annulled thefragilestateofhisdaughter,andastheyears
in the life of all English citizens. However, for in order to marry Anne, both he and his new love passed and the annulment proceedings dragged
the first years of her life, Mary’s childhood was treated Mary with increasing unkindness. on,lifeshowednosignsofimprovingforMary.
a happy one. She was brought up surrounded by Despite being separated from her mother, “Few other women in the world of her rank ever
all the luxurious trappings of royalty, and was Katherine’s strength gave Mary courage and, in livedmorewretchedly,”aVenetianambassador
given a splendid Renaissance education befitting the face of persistent bullying from the king, would later remark.
her status. She was an able pupil, and particularly both mother and daughter refused to bow to InJanuary1533,HenryVIIIandAnneBoleyn,
excelled in languages. his demands. They refused to acknowledge that whowaspregnant,weresecretlymarried.Shortly
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