Queen Mary "Bloody Mary"

Queen Mary "Bloody Mary"

  • Submitted By: Aeontre
  • Date Submitted: 08/01/2010 8:17 AM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 2872
  • Page: 12
  • Views: 749

Bloody Mary
Throughout history there have been rulers and leaders in countries of all sizes. Some have ruled wisely, others cruelly, but perhaps one of the most well known was Queen Mary I of England. She became known as “Bloody Mary.” Why did she acquire this nickname? Many people believe the name is quite fitting. Much blood was shed during her reign. Queen Mary was responsible for a huge number of deaths. Others believe the name was not deserved and take a more sympathetic approach, looking for reasons for her “dark” side. One thing seems clear – Mary led a life full of torment and grief. She was the only child in her family to survive infancy. Perhaps growing up without siblings caused her severe emotional issues. Others say an abusive father, who had promised her in marriage to Dauphin Francis when she was only two, was the cause of her misfortune. Perhaps we will never know, yet Mary killed over 300 in religious burnings, making it apparent she was one who chose to rule cruelly. It is extremely difficult to tell with such little information surrounding her; therefore, to understand more, her history and all of her actions must be carefully scrutinized. Such facts are quickly and assumedly taken care of in the very few moments of Norah Lofts book Queens of England (112-115). Even after such careful examination, the allusive question shall remain- Was the cruel name, “Bloody Mary,” justly deserved?
Queens in Tudor England were thought to have ruled through “the divine choosing of God’s greater wishes…” Their decisions and rulings were to be considered “divine law.” These opinions on the matter of the monarchy also held true for Queen Mary I, whose life began in 1516 (112). She was born to King Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and was her only surviving child (112). After birth, she was named a bastard child and throughout her life, as best summed up by, “Nothing had ever been easy for Mary Tudor, or ever would be…” says Norah Lofts (112)....

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