When Edward died in 1553 Mary became Queen of England. Many people were delighted. There were lots of celebrations throughout London. The people were glad to see the end of Edward’s harsh rule and looked forward to better days under Mary.

However the celebrations at her death in 1558 were even greater than when she had been crowned Queen 5 years earlier. She had become known as ‘Bloody Mary’.

An account from the diary of a Londoner written at the time that Mary became Queen.

‘Mary was proclaimed Queen of England, France and Ireland on 19 July 1553. The ceremony took place in St. Paul’s with songs and the organ playing and the bells ringing throughout London. There were bonfires and tables in every street and wine and beer and ale.’

An account from the diary of a Londoner written at the time that Mary died.

‘On 17 November between five and six a.m. Queen Mary died. All the churches in London rang their bells and that night bonfires were lit and tables placed in the street and people ate, drank and made merry.’

Mary was desperate for a

husband she found one in 1554, a man who she had loved for a long time –

Philip II of Spain

Many Martyrs died under Mary’s orders

Latimer & Ridley are burnt alive 

at Oxford in the year 1555.

Then they brought a lighted stick, and laid the same down at Ridley’s feet; upon which Latimer said, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man.  We shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”  (Foxe's Book of Martyrs)

Thomas Crammer being burnt at the stake

Sometimes peoples fingers and toes would fall off as they were being burnt, rolling into the crowd

Mary needed a baby, an heir,

to carry on making Catholic

changes to England after

her death

Philip and Mary thought that she

was pregnant – but it was a false alarm – a tumour in the

stomach. This made Mary extremely

uncomfortable until she died in 1558

Mary, Mary quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells

And cockleshells,

And pretty maids all in a row

Pregnant … or not?Pregnant … or not? Mary longed for a baby. She was delighted when she thought she was pregnant soon after marrying her husband. However, she soon found out she wasn’t pregnant at all; her stomach pains were a symptom of cancer. The poem ridicules the fact that nothing with grow inside her.

Problems in childbirthProblems in childbirth Mary was rumoured to have had some children, but each little girl was stillborn – Mary was suppose to have them buried secretly in a long row of graves

King Philip of Spain – the love ratKing Philip of Spain – the love rat Mary’s husband wasn’t very loving. King Philip hardly ever saw her during their marriage. Also he had affairs with lots of other women. In Tudor England, this was called cuckolding.

Changing her mindChanging her mind Contrary means opposite. If a person is contrary it often means they are taking a different view just for the sake of it. Mary was accused of being awkward by wanting to change England back to a Catholic country.

A poor taste in musicA poor taste in music Mary enjoyed listening to the sound of church bells. This music was unfashionable at the time.