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Mary Tudor: Princess, Bastard, Queen

3.86 of 5 stars 3.86 · rating details · 724 ratings · 79 reviews

She was the first woman to inherit the throne of England, a key player in one of Britain’s stormiest eras, and a leader whose unwavering faith and swift retribution earned her the nickname “Bloody Mary.” Now, in this impassioned and absorbing debut, historian Anna Whitelock offers a modern perspective on Mary Tudor and sets the record straight once and for all on one of hi...more She was the first woman to inherit the throne of England, a key player in one of Britain’s stormiest eras, and a leader whose unwavering faith and swift retribution earned her the nickname “Bloody Mary.” Now, in this impassioned and absorbing debut, historian Anna Whitelock offers a modern perspective on Mary Tudor and sets the record straight once and for all on one of history’s most compelling and maligned rulers.

Though often overshadowed by her long-reigning sister, Elizabeth I, Mary lived a life full of defiance, despair, and triumph. Born the daughter of the notorious King Henry VIII and the Spanish Katherine of Aragon, young Mary was a princess in every sense of the word—schooled in regal customs, educated by the best scholars, coveted by European royalty, and betrothed before she had reached the age of three. Yet in a decade’s time, in the wake of King Henry’s break with the pope, she was declared a bastard, disinherited, and demoted from “princess” to “lady.” Ever her deeply devout mother’s daughter, Mary refused to accept her new status or to recognize Henry’s new wife, Anne Boleyn, as queen. The fallout with her father and his counselors nearly destroyed the teenage Mary, who faced imprisonment and even death.

It would be an outright battle for Mary to work herself back into the king’s favor, claim her rightful place in the Tudor line, and ultimately become queen of England, but her coronation would not end her struggles. She flouted the opposition and married Philip of Spain, sought to restore Catholicism to the nation, and fiercely punished the resistance. But beneath her brave and regal exterior was a dependent woman prone to anxiety, whose private traumas of phantom pregnancies, debilitating illnesses, and unrequited love played out in the public glare of the fickle court.

Anna Whitelock, an acclaimed young British historian, chronicles this unique woman’s life from her beginnings as a heralded princess to her rivalry with her sister to her ascent as ruler. In brilliant detail, Whitelock reveals that Mary Tudor was not the weak-willed failure as so often rendered by traditional narratives but a complex figure of immense courage, determination, and humanity.(less)

Hardcover, 432 pages

Published September 7th 2010 by Random House (first published May 17th 2010)

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Jun 07, 2011 Michele rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, tudor-history

Ultimately I have to disagree with all the blurbs on the back of this non-fiction work on Mary Tudor. Historians such as David Starkey and Antonia Fraser rave about this debut of Whitelock, but I fail to see what all of the hoopla is about. It is a recitation of the known facts and that is all. I don't see where Whitelock uncovered any new material here. In fact, I feel she relies far too heavily on biased sources, such as the Spanish Ambassador of the time who would, of course, be far more symp...more

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Jan 14, 2011 Lina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history

Mary Tudor I, is one of the most interesting historical figures to me. And no, I'm not a Catholic, Spanish nor do I think that she was justified in killing the almost 300 hundred protestants that occurred during her reign. I simply think that on a psychological level, she is not only a complex person, but sad. I also think that it is important that historians are now reassessing Mary's reign as Queen. While there is no denying there was bad, John Foxe's anti-Catholic propaganda has completely ta...more Mary Tudor I, is one of the most interesting historical figures to me. And no, I'm not a Catholic, Spanish nor do I think that she was justified in killing the almost 300 hundred protestants that occurred during her reign. I simply think that on a psychological level, she is not only a complex person, but sad. I also think that it is important that historians are now reassessing Mary's reign as Queen. While there is no denying there was bad, John Foxe's anti-Catholic propaganda has completely taken over as truth. I was looking for this book to present a compelling new look at the one labeled "Bloody Mary."

Anna Whitelock, has presented a very basic look on Mary's life going from her birth-to-death. Whitelock takes great care in outlining the details of Mary's life, but that's all the book really is, full of outlines and notes. It does, however, give a very clear image of the pressure and hardships that Mary was forced to deal with in her youth. A lot of which I'd never known about. For example, for two years she lived under the care of Lady and Lord Shelton (Anne Boleyn's aunt and uncle) where she was mistreated constantly.

There was even an incident when Mary was early in her queendom (before she'd even started the burnings) where a dead dog with a shaved crown (representing a tonsured priest) was flung into her chamber with a rope around it's neck. It even acknowledges that in the beginning of her reign that she tired to allow changes back to Catholicism happen slowly, but rebellion and pressure from Rome and other's made her change that opinion.

My biggest problem with this book is that it does not go into any detail about the goings on of the day or tries to give any real depth to the mindset of Mary's personality. The most they ever do is repeat that she was her mother's daughter.

They do not try to explain how she was physically and mentally affected by the events of her parent's divorce. Nor do they explain how deeply Edward's betrayal effected her, since she helped raised him. Also, they do not even go into details about the mistakes as a Queen: her refusal to marry Edward Courenay, her dependence on Spain and her inability to let things go from the past.

Finally, I disagree with Whitelock's statement that Mary failed as a woman, but triumph as a Queen. While I feel for Mary and feel that he reign as Queen has been deeply vilified, I would never say she triumphed as a ruler. However, I will say that her removing Jane Grey from the throne and becoming Queen was very important. Edward disowned both his sisters, so if Mary never asserted her right to rule, Elizabeth would have never become Queen. That's right no Mary, no Elizabeth, suck on that.

All and all, if you are unfamiliar with Mary's reign, check this out for a look. Anyone with a decent knowledge of Mary, check out Alison Weir's Children of Henry VIII.(less)

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Jan 25, 2011 Colleen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My interest in Tudor history began early- I was booted off a tour of the Tower of London at age 13 for the running commentary I was sharing with my mother! Elizabeth has always been my focus, so I was very excited to see this book on Mary because she is so often treated as only a springboard to Gloriana. Unfortunately, this book just missed the mark for me.

Despite the wealth of information and historical references, this book never made Mary a person to me. The manuscript seemed disjointed, and...more

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Jun 09, 2012 Rick F. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Well written, interesting and thankfully, the author does a nice job of differentiating between all the same names! Charles, Henry, Mary,ect- wow -seems like 90% of the folks during the 16th Century had about 5 different names to choose from!

Very much enjoyed this book- gave me more info on the Tutors- a subject I am quite interested in- and continue to read about- Unlike the more famous Alison Weir- The author tells a story...she does not spend countless pages on minute details like Weir who c...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked it and found it very well written and researched. The author went to great lengths to portray Mary Tudor as more than just the "Bloody Mary" of the brief Catholic regime before Queen Elizabeth, her half-sister, took the throne. It also painted a more complete picture of the terrible situation Mary found herself in once King Henry was determined to divorce Queen Catherine.

Fascinating look at an often dismissed and overlooked monarch. She was the first Queen of England and helped establish...more

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May 13, 2013 Leon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

...more

She was the first woman to inherit the throne of England, a key player in one of Britain’s stormiest eras, and a leader whose unwavering faith and swift retribution earned her the nickname “Bloody Mary.” Now, in this impassioned and absorbing debut, historian Anna Whitelock offers a modern perspective on Mary Tudor and sets the record straight once and for all on one of history’s most compelling and maligned rulers. Though often overshadowed by her long-reigning sister, Elizabeth I, Mary lived a life full of defiance, despair, and triumph. Born the daughter of the notorious King Henry VIII and the Spanish Katherine of Aragon, young Mary was a princess in every sense of the word—schooled in regal customs, educated by the best scholars, coveted by European royalty, and betrothed before she had reached the age of three. Yet in a decade’s time, in the wake of King Henry’s break with the pope, she was declared a bastard, disinherited, and demoted from “princess” to “lady.” Ever her deeply devout mother’s daughter, Mary refused to accept her new status or to recognize Henry’s new wife, Anne Boleyn, as queen. The fallout with her father and his counselors nearly destroyed the teenage Mary, who faced imprisonment and even death. It would be an outright battle for Mary to work herself back into the king’s favor, claim her rightful place in the Tudor line, and ultimately become queen of England, but her coronation would not end her struggles. She flouted the opposition and married Philip of Spain, sought to restore Catholicism to the nation, and fiercely punished the resistance. But beneath her brave and regal exterior was a dependent woman prone to anxiety, whose private traumas of phantom pregnancies, debilitating illnesses, and unrequited love played out in the public glare of the fickle court. Anna Whitelock, an acclaimed young British historian, chronicles this unique woman’s life from her beginnings as a heralded princess to her rivalry with her sister to her ascent as ruler. In brilliant detail, Whitelock reveals that Mary Tudor was not the weak-willed failure as so often rendered by traditional narratives but a complex figure of immense courage, determination, and humanity.From the Hardcover edition.

(less)

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Oct 26, 2012 Louise rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, british-bio-hist

Mary Tudor receives considerably less press than her more glamorous younger half-sister. Elizabeth's long reign, fascinating relationships and excellent self-promotion (i.e. Mary's death anniversary is celebrated as "Elizabeth's Accession Day") have been grist historians, novelists and movie directors. In contrast, Mary is often considered interim figure known primarily for her nick-name, deserved or not, "Bloody Mary".

Author Anna Whitelock presents a very sympathetic portrait of Mary. While she...more Mary Tudor receives considerably less press than her more glamorous younger half-sister. Elizabeth's long reign, fascinating relationships and excellent self-promotion (i.e. Mary's death anniversary is celebrated as "Elizabeth's Accession Day") have been grist historians, novelists and movie directors. In contrast, Mary is often considered interim figure known primarily for her nick-name, deserved or not, "Bloody Mary".

Author Anna Whitelock presents a very sympathetic portrait of Mary. While she is highly persuasive, the sources she's relied on, such as Eusatce Chapuys, the envoy of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, and The State Papers of the Vatican, I expect, are overly supportive of Mary. It would be interesting to see another bio, more reliant on other less partisan material.

It is clear, that history has not given Mary her due. She took strong, life threatening stands against her father and brother on behalf of herself, her mother and her cause. This sort of chutzpah for a woman of her time is amazing. Mary undoubtedly had leadership qualities; she inspired loyalty among her staff, the nobility and the population in general. On the death of Edward VI, she had great instincts and was decisive. She raised an army and plotted her own successful revolt against a seated monarch. Her first speech as Queen hit just the right note. It seems that once she achieved power, she didn't know what to do with it.

One does have to sympathize with Mary as she suffers the unnecessary stringency of house arrest in her tender years. Quoted material shows Elizabeth to have a cocky attitude, particularly regarding the Wyatt affair. Mary gets lip service but little support from her uncle (and sometime suitor) Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. While it seems that Philip might never have intended to stay in England it's clear he did not intend to honor the marriage treaty that kept him out of its governance.

You can see from Mary's story the lessons that Elizabeth learned. She saw how being the "rising sun" allowed her to escape blame for plots against Mary. She saw how a husband was more hindrance than help.

This is a good book, but it's a once over lightly. I hope future biographers take a closer look at Mary as a person (analyzing her relationship with Philip and her pseudo pregnancies), the Mary-Elizabeth relationship (nicely introduced in Elizabeth's Women: Friends, Rivals, and Foes Who Shaped the Virgin Queen but worthy of its own volume), and Mary's role in the burning of martyrs. At times she seems detached, but in the case of Thomas Cramner, revenge is clearly her motive. In the meanwhile, this is a accessible sympathetic overview of Mary and her reign. (less)

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Jun 04, 2012 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Just like Marie Antoinette never said "let them eat cake", Mary, daughter of Henry VIII never really was "Bloody Mary". It's amazing how one sentence from a paper can follow you for 400 plus years.

Mary was born the beloved daughter of Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII. She was a princess. In eight short years she was named a bastard and separated from her mother. There begins her journey. She was either villified or loved. She was seen as political toy. Her fortunes rose or fell accorrding to w...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Bart Breen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Anna Whitelock brings an important element to history in this book which is both important and highly readable by the average person coming to this work. Historical figures, just like political figures today, are often defined by a few short sound-bites that summarize all of their impact. Mary Tudor, more than any other title is known as "Bloody Mary" and it is this moniker that has defined her. Add to this, one of the most influential books about this era, Foxes Book of Martyrs, and the upheava...more Anna Whitelock brings an important element to history in this book which is both important and highly readable by the average person coming to this work. Historical figures, just like political figures today, are often defined by a few short sound-bites that summarize all of their impact. Mary Tudor, more than any other title is known as "Bloody Mary" and it is this moniker that has defined her. Add to this, one of the most influential books about this era, Foxes Book of Martyrs, and the upheaval of Mary's times in the context of the Reformation and the political undergirdings of that movement, and it's easy to see how Mary is seen not as a person but rather as a symbol of her times, ultimately defined by her opponents.

The purpose of Anna Whitelock's book is not to recount what to many are the well know general facts of Mary's life and reign, but rather to delve beneath the surface of these images and bring forth Mary Tudor, the human being, and what was going on in her heart and mind while she progressed through the events that most coming to this book with which most readers will probably already be familiar.

In that regard this is a combination of History, Biography and even some psychological analysis of who Mary was, how she was treated as a human being in the context of her relationship to her mother, her father, his subsequent wives, many of whom for personal and political reasons, treated her and her mother in specific manners. Further Mary was a person of deep personal faith and a sense of connection and loyalty to that faith as well as the family to whom she was connected outside of the immediate context of England.

Anna Whitelock has done an admirable job of balancing all of these factors and presented a book about Mary Tudor that reads like a historical novel but there is very little fiction in what she writes. It is in these elements that Whitelock excels and provides a book that will challenge the presuppositions that many may bring to the reading.

Rather than simply an apologetic defense of Mary, Mary is portrayed warts and all with the actual events of her latter reign not needing a great deal of narrative defense because the earlier parts of this biography have laid the stage so well that the attentive reader will be reminded of those prior elements so well, that they will come to mind without a great deal of effort on the part of the author to remind the reader of their presence. That's the sign of a good piece of writing, regardless of the genre.

Those looking for a pure historical work may be disappointed. There are elements of political history that the specialist reading this work may rightly look to and criticize it for not being "thorough" enough. I don't think that is a fair criticism. There is no great need for a new historical analysis of Mary to recount the things that are present in other works and commonly known by those who study history for its own sake. That is not ultimately what this book is designed to do. This book represents a voice being raised to challenge the stereotypes and biases of history and recapture the humanity of the person of "Bloody" Mary Tudor. In doing this, it doesn't ignore the difficulties of her times, but it provides a perspective that until now has been sorely lacking.

Add to this the innate ability of the author to emotionally bring the reader into the experience and this is a read that anyone with even a passing interest of this time from the past will benefit from and enjoy. Whitelock has done a stellar job of tying all these elements together. It's well worth the time and effort to read.

5 stars.

Bart Breen(less)

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Jul 05, 2010 Sophie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was dissapointing. I was hoping for a fresh insight into Mary I, to erode my previous bias against the Bloody Queen. The book was clearly in Mary's favour, almost idolising her at times, whilst demonising those who stood against her. Something guarenteed to turn me against her even more. I left this book with a worse impression that when I started. Perhaps she is just really that unlikable?
Still looking for a book on Mary not tinged with heavy bias so I can give her a fair chance.

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Nov 09, 2012 Dawn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history, ebook

I have a love-hate relationship with books about history. While I have always been fascinated by specific periods of history, my reading on the subject is spotty. Mostly because I'll find something that works for me, then as I attempt to delve deeper I run into the Wall-O-Text materials meant for serious researchers and students armed with highlighters.*

Generally that leads to me wandering off in search of something else to do. Books should not be work in my opinion. Books should be enjoyable.

An...more I have a love-hate relationship with books about history. While I have always been fascinated by specific periods of history, my reading on the subject is spotty. Mostly because I'll find something that works for me, then as I attempt to delve deeper I run into the Wall-O-Text materials meant for serious researchers and students armed with highlighters.*

Generally that leads to me wandering off in search of something else to do. Books should not be work in my opinion. Books should be enjoyable.

And Anna Whitelock manages that wonderfully well here. Admittedly there doesn't seem to be any earth-shattering new research, but that's not always necessary. What is necessary is making the material that is already known accessible to an audience outside of academia. Particularly now that there is an interest in the Tudor period due to popular fictionalized accounts.

"Mary Tudor: England's First Queen" also addresses the subject with a less virulent hand than some. In the past the trend has been to paint "Bloody Mary" as a villainous madwoman, a ghoul who's name children chant to terrify themselves. And while Mary was certainly not the saint she wished to be, Whitelock lays out her motivations in a more sympathetic manner without condoning them, portraying a woman pushed into extremes by emotional punishments that would break almost anyone.

In general it's a very well written, although it does begin to drag a bit near the end for those of us more accustomed to fiction than textbooks. I suppose that's the problem with handling this material though- there's a fine line between dry reading and glorifying the violence that Mary's reign ended in. It's definitely a step above most historical fiction currently being published, but the reader is rewarded by having to stop and ask "did that really happen? Or is that added drama?"

Definitely recommended for history dabblers who enjoy historical fiction and are ready for more meaty materials. If you've ever put down a novel and gone to fact-check what you've just read, this one is for you.

* Why exactly it's acceptable for textbooks to be written in such a cold, impenetrable manner is beyond me, and a rant for another time. (less)

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Dec 01, 2012 S.C. Skillman rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow! What a story this is! Critics have said this book simply lists the known facts about Mary Tudor, without offering a new interpretation, but I believe the facts alone breathe fire (no pun intended!)

I cannot read about any of the key Tudor figures without either identifying with them on some level, or feeling strong emotional engagement with them.

Mary Tudor was a woman who eventually got what she wanted - but it was snatched away from her. She is such a poignant and controversial figure. She...more Wow! What a story this is! Critics have said this book simply lists the known facts about Mary Tudor, without offering a new interpretation, but I believe the facts alone breathe fire (no pun intended!)

I cannot read about any of the key Tudor figures without either identifying with them on some level, or feeling strong emotional engagement with them.

Mary Tudor was a woman who eventually got what she wanted - but it was snatched away from her. She is such a poignant and controversial figure. She only had small bursts of happiness throughout her life, in between the long periods of psychological abuse she received from 2 Kings - her father and her brother. Her brief periods of happiness came when she was very young, and a royal princess; when she was restored to her father's favour; when she became Queen; when she married Philip of Spain; and when she believed herself pregnant. The account of her attempts to win back the favour of her father, Henry VIII, and his abuse of her, is heartrending. Her Catholic faith was the one constant throughout her life, the only thing she had to hang on to.

One of the most heartbreaking images in the book is of Mary waiting to give birth. Every possible preparation had been made, and her pregnancy turned out to be a phantom one.

Then the singlemindedness and sheer strength of will which she had shown throughout her life, turned to bitter vengeance, as she authorised the burning of hundreds of "heretics" at the stake. And all of this was bound up with the power struggles and rivalry of Spain and France, and what they were doing or might do. The instability of the political climate of those times reminds me of that volatile state that the Middle East and such countries as Syria and Pakistan are going through right now.

The mark of religious fanaticism stains the centuries. Reading this book makes me feel that being a religious fanatic must be the most woeful of states.

I feel sorry for Mary. I think "Poor lady" and yet, in the same moment, I ask, how can I feel sorry for a woman who authorised the sadistic public execution of so many?

This is the contradiction and the enduring fascination of the Tudors.(less)

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Jun 10, 2011 Ali rated it 4 of 5 stars

I came across

after attempting to listen to

on cd. When I started reading reviews that complained about the lack of truthfulness in Gregory's writing and that her research skills proved to be "creative", I decided to switch to a more true-to-history book. I do love a well researched historical fiction...Philippa Gregory should read Mrs. Diana Gabaldon's work for reference.

Whitelock proves to be a skilled biographer and researcher. She well documents her hard work by using quotes and embedded...more

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Jun 21, 2011 Orsolya rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: history, tudor-england, queens, mary-tudor, own

I know what you may be thinking: that you love Elizabeth I and that Mary is just, well, her depressed older-half sister who as a staunch Catholic had 300 heretics burned. What you must realize is that Mary was a trailblazer as the first Queen of England, she paved the way for Elizabeth. There would be no Elizabeth without Mary. Mary was a fighter and fought for her throne: literally. Her coup was the most succesful revolt against central government in 16th-century England.

If you are interested i...more I know what you may be thinking: that you love Elizabeth I and that Mary is just, well, her depressed older-half sister who as a staunch Catholic had 300 heretics burned. What you must realize is that Mary was a trailblazer as the first Queen of England, she paved the way for Elizabeth. There would be no Elizabeth without Mary. Mary was a fighter and fought for her throne: literally. Her coup was the most succesful revolt against central government in 16th-century England.

If you are interested in discovering the world of Mary which goes far beyond the confines of popular propaganda via John Knox and John Foxe depicting her a conservative, "bloody", and evil leader; then settle down with a copy of this book. Whitelock provides a overview of Mary's entire life from the moment of birth to her death (that would be 42 years). Sadly, this novel is less annotated than would be preferable and there are no facts or revealing information which you haven't heard before so you won't be left astounded. Simply put, Whitelock's offering is better as a refresher course on Mary Tudor's life or as an introduction to someone who may have never read about her before.

One of the stronger highlights was the explanation regarding the loss of Calais to the French. Mary is always blamed for this loss (and she has revealed that it was her biggest heartbreak) but most books never go beyond the accusation of her loss. Whitelock dives deeper and explains how although against popular sentiment, Mary had to enter war against the French because of rebellions against her person backed by the French. Garrisons weren't properly protected and the council and parliment refused to supply the men in Calais so basically the loss resulted in fingers pointing in every direction on who was to blame. Like any war where the victory is attributed to the leader, conversely the loss was blamed on Mary. This is the first book to make these actions clear.

Unfortunately, I do have some complaints. The book has some sequencing issues and would jump from explaining events in one year and then back track and go ahead once more. It can get confusing if you are the type of reader who liked to keep track of dates. Additionally, the cause of reversing Mary's poor reputation was somewhat lost. If you are writing a book to change popular opinions, you have to be argumentative, vindicative, and strong. The epiloque was more moving and against the propaganda than the actual text. Basically, the book doesn't sway you until the end.

Again, not a bad choice as a refresher or an introduction to Mary and certainly (despite my complaints) a interesting and smooth-paced read. (less)

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Mar 08, 2012 Frrobins rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've read a lot of biographies about the Tudors, and I have to say that this is by far the worst I have ever read.

Whitelock leaves SO much out. She barely touches on how Mary (understandably) refused to acknowledge Elizabeth as princess, and then did not mention at all about how when Anne Boleyn was condemned and Elizabeth bastardized, Mary reached out to her sister in support. She barely touches on Elizabeth's existence until Mary is crowned Queen, despite the fact that they were close.

Whiteloc...more

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Oct 17, 2010 Andrea Walker rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, religion, history

History has vilified her as Bloody Mary. Why? Because she burnt over 300 heretics in her reign. She tried to stem the tide of Protestantism in England, to return the country to the Catholicism that reigned at her birth and until her father's lust (for both power and women) got the better of him. Unable to produce an heir, the crown returned to a Protestant (Queen Elizabeth I) and Mary was consequently vilified on religious grounds.

I had always thought that Elizabeth was the first queen of Englan...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Wendy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was hoping this book was more of a fiction but its not. I liked it because usually people want to write about Queen Elizabeth and it was interesting to get a different point of view on "Bloody Mary". However, this book set out to tell a story of a different Mary than the history books do and I think it failed on that part. I still think she was pretty evil as she wanted to be granted rights to worship as she wanted (different from the king) and when she became ruler, burned people at the stake...more

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Jun 20, 2012 J Doe rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, tudors-read, favorites

Mary grew more and more reclusive, sitting in one place for hours at a time, wrestling with depression and anxiety, neither leaving her chamber nor giving audience to anyone. To those who saw her she looked pale and ill, weeping and praying that her labor pains begin. Her prayer book survives, the pages worn and stained around a page bearing a prayer for the safe delivery of a woman with child.

A King's Wife chapter is heartbreaking. I think another reason why Mary married Philip II was to get cl...more Mary grew more and more reclusive, sitting in one place for hours at a time, wrestling with depression and anxiety, neither leaving her chamber nor giving audience to anyone. To those who saw her she looked pale and ill, weeping and praying that her labor pains begin. Her prayer book survives, the pages worn and stained around a page bearing a prayer for the safe delivery of a woman with child.

A King's Wife chapter is heartbreaking. I think another reason why Mary married Philip II was to get closer to her mother's and grandparent's Spanish roots.

The book is made up of three chapters: a king's daughter, a king's sister, a king's wife. This is my first book read concentrating solely on Mary and I recommend starting here if you want to know more about Mary beyond her life with her many stepmothers and find out who 'Bloody Mary' truly was.

Anne's treatment of Mary: (for those constantly saying it was all Henry)

Anne continued to resent Henry’s clear affection for his elder daughter and persisted in conspiring against her. When she heard of Mary’s defiance, she railed that “her answers could not have been made without the suggestion of others” and complained that Mary was not being kept under close enough surveillance. When Anne went to visit her daughter at Hatfield in March, she wasted no time in humiliating her. She “urgently solicited” Mary to visit her and “honor her as Queen,” saying that it would intercede with him for her. “Mary replied that “she knew no other Queen in England except her mother” but that if Anne would do her that favor with her father she would be much obliged. Enraged, Anne departed, swearing that “she would bring down the pride of this unbridled Spanish blood.”

According to a source close to Chapuys, Anne had been heard to say more than once that as soon as Henry was out of the country, leaving her as regent, she meant to use her authority to have Mary killed, “either by hunger or otherwise,” even if she, Anne was “burnt alive for it.””

Four days after Katherine’s death, Lady Shelton went to Mary and “most unceremoniously without the least preparation” told her that her mother was dead. That evening Mary requested Katherine’s physician and apothecary be allowed to visit her so she might hear of her mother’s final hours and of the manner of her death. As Charles told Isabella, his wife, Mary was “inconsolable at the loss she has sustained, especially when she thinks of her father’s past behavior towards herself, and the little favor she can expect for the future”. It was feared she would “die of grief” or with Katherine out of the way, Anne Boleyn might hasten “what she has long threatened to do, viz, to kill her.”

In the meantime, Chapuys told Mary she should continue in the semiseclusion of mourning and, if approached by the king’s officers, beg them to leave her in peace to grieve for her mother. If pressed, she might tell them she was thinking of entering a convent when she reached full age to stun them into indecision. Mary was becoming increasingly hysterical, he added; “she is continually asking [me to] beg the Emperor to hasten the remedy, which she fears will be too late for her, for which reason she is daily preparing herself for death

Big surprise here,
The day before her execution, Anne asked Lady Kingston, the wife of the lieutenant of the Tower, to go to Hunsdon and on her behalf kneel before Mary and beg her pardon for all the wrongs she had done her. On her way to the scaffold, as Antoine Perrenot, Cardinal Granvelle wrote to Chapuys, “the Concubine declared that she did not consider herself condemned by divine judgment, except for being the cause of the ill-treatment of the Princess, and for having conspired her death.”(less)

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Aug 04, 2011 Jodi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Felt this book was very unevenly written. Minute details would be written about things such as Mary’s coronation while other important events (Mary’s handling of Jane Grey, the loss of Calais, etc.) would be glossed over too quickly. As I was reading it I wondered if I was being fair considering I do have a strong background in this topic or was it truly poor writing or editing. Unfortunately, I was left with a bit of a negative view (again, not sure if it was writing or editing) when Mary’s dea...more

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May 03, 2011 Kevin Reekie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Kevin by: reekiekorky@aol.com

I thought this was a very interesting account of Queen Mary. It seems that she was somewhat overshadowed by little Sis and this book attempted to address the balance.
It portrays Mary as a deeply religious, intelligent person, keen to serve her people. This changed later in her reign under considerable pressure from Prince Philip and Spain. Don't forget women had rarely ruled with this authotity before and it must have been very difficult.
It is clear that Mary would have never fully recovered fro...more

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Nov 08, 2011 Rachel Swords rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: tudors

After the many books on Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Elizabeth I, here is a fascinating read about Henry's eldest daughter, Mary. History lovers, Tudor aficionados, and fans of the tv show "The Tudors" will enjoy this biography, as it's written in a style that is easy to read. Each chapter is short, but there's quite a thorough amount of information within the sections. On a side note, "Tudors" fans might be interested to know that numerous key lines from the show were lifted straight from histo...more

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Jul 30, 2011 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Since the other players in this time period have been written about so extensively (with the exception of Edward VI), it was interesting to read a sympathetic biography of a historical figure who has been portrayed as humorless, small-minded and intolerant. Whitelock does a good job of showing her to be intelligent, politically savvy, and a real survivor. Her life after 17 was a nightmare of persecution, and Whitelock makes a good case that Mary, as the first female to rule as sovereign in Engla...more

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Mar 17, 2012 Shirley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a very good book.The author attempted to put an end as to how she is known: "Bloody Mary". I also found it interesting that the author did not try to place someone else in the role of the villian. With the exception of Anne Boleyn, most major people in Queen Mary's life were shown without an attempt to victimize Mary or blame anyone else for her actions. Mary was a "trailblazer" as the first Queen of England and "she paved the way for Elizabeth." There would have been no Elizabeth witho...more

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Apr 07, 2010 Pete daPixie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history-tudor

Bloody Mary! If history has ever painted any English monarch, then it certainly daubed a large brush, dipped in bright red gloss, all over Mary Tudor. Well, quite right too, wasn't she the daughter of Henry VIII who reversed daddy's break with Rome? Chopped the head off that pretty 19 year old Queen Jane? Set fire to heretics up and down the land like there was no tomorrow? Married the catholic Phillip of Spain for god's sake, and was nothing but nasty to the fair protestant princess Lizzy. If a...more

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Aug 03, 2011 Megan Bodwell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library, 2011

This was a very good book. The writing style was easy to read; not at all dry and boring like most biographies. I always find reading biographies concerning English nobility difficult because names and titles are always different from each other and it is often that both are not used in every instance. Whitelock sought to lift the "Bloody Mary" image of the first Queen Regnant of England, which I thought she accomplished marvelously. I found it interesting that Whitelock also did not attempt to...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Mer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A very accessible and sympathetic biography of Mary. Far from painting her as the bloody tyrant she is commonly depicted as, this biography gives a well-rounded overview of a woman who—usually to her detriment—often ruled with her heart rather than her head. Still, Mary comes across as a well-meaning woman in spite of her intractability of character and religious extremism. I would have liked to have seen more detailed information on the Catholic/Protestant split in England at the time (this wou...more

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Nov 07, 2010 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a fantastic book and a really compelling read in a way that history books really ought to be. I came away not only knowing more factual information about this much maligned figure but understanding her motivations in a way that made much more sense than the rather incomplete treatment of her in most books on the Tudors. Considering the current hype and romanticization of Anne Boleyn, knowing the true story of Mary (and her mother) is very interesting and a good balance to inject a little...more

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Jan 26, 2012 Bunny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-12

Once again, Phillippa Gregory sparks some historical interest for me. My knowledge of Queen Mary is almost nil, so this book shouldn't be a recitation of facts.

Hope it's not overwhelmingly dry.

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Dude, why on earth did Showtime end The Tudors with Henry? You're telling me they couldn't continue it with the amazing story of Bloody Mary and Elizabeth? That's such shit.

I am absolutely amazed at this author. Such detail, and it's not dry and boring. So intensely enjoyable. I would read any other his...more

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May 24, 2013 Kim Hathorn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Very readable for the general student, and also very interesting. I did feel that a more complete psychological portrait of Mary should've been given, especially regarding her feelings regarding the individual loyalties of the heretics themselves, and toward the burnings as particular action toward the Protestants (as individuals). Another thing I felt slightly lacking was a more in-depth discussion of the political dynamics between Mary and her consort Philip of Spain, who sought a greater role...more

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May 13, 2013 Eddy Allen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arts-and-historical

She was the first woman to inherit the throne of England, a key player in one of Britain’s stormiest eras, and a leader whose unwavering faith and swift retribution earned her the nickname “Bloody Mary.” Now, in this impassioned and absorbing debut, historian Anna Whitelock offers a modern perspective on Mary Tudor and sets the record straight once and for all on one of history’s most compelling and maligned rulers.

Though often overshadowed by her long-reigning sister, Elizabeth I, Mary lived a...more She was the first woman to inherit the throne of England, a key player in one of Britain’s stormiest eras, and a leader whose unwavering faith and swift retribution earned her the nickname “Bloody Mary.” Now, in this impassioned and absorbing debut, historian Anna Whitelock offers a modern perspective on Mary Tudor and sets the record straight once and for all on one of history’s most compelling and maligned rulers.

Though often overshadowed by her long-reigning sister, Elizabeth I, Mary lived a life full of defiance, despair, and triumph. Born the daughter of the notorious King Henry VIII and the Spanish Katherine of Aragon, young Mary was a princess in every sense of the word—schooled in regal customs, educated by the best scholars, coveted by European royalty, and betrothed before she had reached the age of three. Yet in a decade’s time, in the wake of King Henry’s break with the pope, she was declared a bastard, disinherited, and demoted from “princess” to “lady.” Ever her deeply devout mother’s daughter, Mary refused to accept her new status or to recognize Henry’s new wife, Anne Boleyn, as queen. The fallout with her father and his counselors nearly destroyed the teenage Mary, who faced imprisonment and even death.
It would be an outright battle for Mary to work herself back into the king’s favor, claim her rightful place in the Tudor line, and ultimately become queen of England, but her coronation would not end her struggles. She flouted the opposition and married Philip of Spain, sought to restore Catholicism to the nation, and fiercely punished the resistance. But beneath her brave and regal exterior was a dependent woman prone to anxiety, whose private traumas of phantom pregnancies, debilitating illnesses, and unrequited love played out in the public glare of the fickle court.

Anna Whitelock, an acclaimed young British historian, chronicles this unique woman’s life from her beginnings as a heralded princess to her rivalry with her sister to her ascent as ruler. In brilliant detail, Whitelock reveals that Mary Tudor was not the weak-willed failure as so often rendered by traditional narratives but a complex figure of immense courage, determination, and humanity.(less)

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About Anna Whitelock

Anna Whitelock gained her PhD in History from Corpus Christi College, Cambridge in 2004 with a thesis on the court of Mary I. Her articles and book reviews on various aspects of Tudor history have appeared in publications including the Guardian, the Times Literary Supplement and BBC History. She has taught at Cambridge University and is now a lecturer in Early Modern History at Royal Holloway, Uni...more

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