I can't blame Mary for her actions, not that I agree with burning people alive but I think its obvious Mary spent most all her life feeling abandoned and powerless. I do think Henry should have married her off. Even though she was illegitimate in his eyes the rest of Europe didn't see it as such and she could have still managed a decent marriage. She may have had some happiness in her very dark life. And if she produced a male, he would very much have claim to the throne especially after Henry reinstated her in the succession. But Henry was a selfish foolish man, who only thought of his own happiness and couldn't even be bothered with his children's well being.
During the time she was servant at the Boleynes, Princess Mary was tortured psychologically and physically. She was told that she was not loved and that her father wanted to killed her. She was told that her food was poisoned and she feared for her life for years. She was locked in windowless rooms and was hit several times. She was mocked from her Spanish ancestry and, during all her life, her religious views. This pressure made her constantly ill. During her reign she was compassionate in the beginning, but attempts of murdering her made her see in force and power an outlet. Despite her nick name, her reign was not bloodier than that of her father or half brother. She was actually a true monarch with excellent ideas that are sometimes accredited to Elizabeth I. Her sad memory is that of the epithamy of mysogenism.
Wow, Mary as a young woman, what she went through. the abuse by her stepmom, not being allowed to see her mother, being branded as illegitimate. not having a loving father and all her heartache. no wonder she did what she did, she was not shown compassion and love by her own father, how could she be someone kind when all she saw was the opposite. poor Mary
Poor woman had such a sad life. To watch her mother's suffering and then be disowned by the Great Henry had to be life altering events. While we can't approve of her conduct as monarch, we can certainly understand the damage done to her psyche that lead to such actions. May she rest in peace along with her mother the blessed Katherina.
Yet another example of the child of a monarch being subjected to painful, humiliating and unloved attentions. Despite the abhorrence at Mary's religious persecutions, her attitude of defiance and vengeance is understandable. The fact that Elizabeth did not pursue a similar path,at least not so vehemently, indicates the younger sister allowed pragmatism and good sense to guide her judgement.
The greatest tragedy for Mary was that she wasn't married when younger, by the time she did marry it was too late for her to have children and her husband didn't like her. There was nothing but tragedy for everyone who got close to Henry VIII, that egomaniac who even rewrote the Lords prayer and put to death the most learned pious men in his kingdom
Sir George Severn He jilted her. He could not wait all the years for her to grow up. They were betrothed when she was 6 years old and he was a grown man. He married instead a very beautiful Portugese princess who brought a $1 million dowry
Sir George Severn All Kings are under pressure to marry and have children as soon as possible. In those days no many lived till old age and 30 was considered middle aged. Not only that but Henry VIII had no intention of marrying Mary to anyone, he just used her as a pawn for as long as possible - her happiness was not a consideration, nor was it for any king for any daughter, or son
Thank you for sharing this. It was an excellent documentary, delivered by an excellent historian. There is a story that Mary first advocated religious tolerance. While many historians have dismissed this, she may have been sincere, but this quickly changed. The horrors of the Marian persecutions have for many centuries been central to our outlook on Mary. Dr. Starkey and more moderate historians are at last presenting a more impartial, basically unbiased view and that is surely the most sensible way to approach this period. Thank you again.
Mary should have left, and stayed in Catholic Europe. So she felt extra sorry for herself and her hateful father gave her something she just could not shake off. The desire for revenge. Maybe she should have become a monarch that let her people enjoy religious freedom. It may all have turned out differently.
Or she could have been as deliberate and as brutal as the queen that followed her. She could have executed her sister, called on her husband to send Spanish troops, and put a final end to the Protestants instead of letting them get stronger and conspire against her. She could have thus united her kingdom and destroyed any chance for the religious civil war that came a century later. Either or.
Such sad lives. Just goes to show you the importance of a loving father and mother. Especially for royals! But I can't help but feel this documentary is biased in a way. Edward was "cold" and "puritanical" but Mary's burning people was "good intentioned"?? Really?? I think Edward would have become a good king, if God had willed. When he matured, he probably would have realized that you can't legislate spirituality.
Actually illegitimacy of rulers of the throne go back to henry l henry was always acredited for taking what was not rightfully his and continuously life after life taking the throne which was not rightfully his
Exoixx Not back then. In 16th century astrology was absolutely common for catholic royal families. Catherine de Medici was even *obsessed* with horoscopes.
I can't blame Mary for her actions, not that I agree with burning people alive but I think its obvious Mary spent most all her life feeling abandoned and powerless. I do think Henry should have married her off. Even though she was illegitimate in his eyes the rest of Europe didn't see it as such and she could have still managed a decent marriage. She may have had some happiness in her very dark life. And if she produced a male, he would very much have claim to the throne especially after Henry reinstated her in the succession. But Henry was a selfish foolish man, who only thought of his own happiness and couldn't even be bothered with his children's well being.
During the time she was servant at the Boleynes, Princess Mary was tortured psychologically and physically. She was told that she was not loved and that her father wanted to killed her. She was told that her food was poisoned and she feared for her life for years. She was locked in windowless rooms and was hit several times. She was mocked from her Spanish ancestry and, during all her life, her religious views. This pressure made her constantly ill. During her reign she was compassionate in the beginning, but attempts of murdering her made her see in force and power an outlet. Despite her nick name, her reign was not bloodier than that of her father or half brother. She was actually a true monarch with excellent ideas that are sometimes accredited to Elizabeth I. Her sad memory is that of the epithamy of mysogenism.
Wow, Mary as a young woman, what she went through. the abuse by her stepmom, not being allowed to see her mother, being branded as illegitimate. not having a loving father and all her heartache. no wonder she did what she did, she was not shown compassion and love by her own father, how could she be someone kind when all she saw was the opposite. poor Mary
What she did later in her reign was a reaction to all this
Poor woman had such a sad life. To watch her mother's suffering and then be disowned by the Great Henry had to be life altering events. While we can't approve of her conduct as monarch, we can certainly understand the damage done to her psyche that lead to such actions. May she rest in peace along with her mother the blessed Katherina.
Yet another example of the child of a monarch being subjected to painful, humiliating and unloved attentions. Despite the abhorrence at Mary's religious persecutions, her attitude of defiance and vengeance is understandable. The fact that Elizabeth did not pursue a similar path,at least not so vehemently, indicates the younger sister allowed pragmatism and good sense to guide her judgement.
The greatest tragedy for Mary was that she wasn't married when younger, by the time she did marry it was too late for her to have children and her husband didn't like her. There was nothing but tragedy for everyone who got close to Henry VIII, that egomaniac who even rewrote the Lords prayer and put to death the most learned pious men in his kingdom
You are right she should have married her cousin Charles V (father of her husband Philip)
Sir George Severn He jilted her. He could not wait all the years for her to grow up. They were betrothed when she was 6 years old and he was a grown man. He married instead a very beautiful Portugese princess who brought a $1 million dowry
Juanita Richards then she could marry henry ii of france or james v of scotland. But Charles V could marry her she he is in his 30s and can't he wait?
Sir George Severn All Kings are under pressure to marry and have children as soon as possible. In those days no many lived till old age and 30 was considered middle aged. Not only that but Henry VIII had no intention of marrying Mary to anyone, he just used her as a pawn for as long as possible - her happiness was not a consideration, nor was it for any king for any daughter, or son
Thank you for sharing this. It was an excellent documentary, delivered by an excellent historian. There is a story that Mary first advocated religious tolerance. While many historians have dismissed this, she may have been sincere, but this quickly changed. The horrors of the Marian persecutions have for many centuries been central to our outlook on Mary. Dr. Starkey and more moderate historians are at last presenting a more impartial, basically unbiased view and that is surely the most sensible way to approach this period. Thank you again.
Mary was a tragic figure constant emotional pressure and cruel treatment heaped onto her.
Mary should have left, and stayed in Catholic Europe. So she felt extra sorry for herself and her hateful father gave her something she just could not shake off. The desire for revenge. Maybe she should have become a monarch that let her people enjoy religious freedom. It may all have turned out differently.
Or she could have been as deliberate and as brutal as the queen that followed her. She could have executed her sister, called on her husband to send Spanish troops, and put a final end to the Protestants instead of letting them get stronger and conspire against her. She could have thus united her kingdom and destroyed any chance for the religious civil war that came a century later. Either or.
Poor Jane Grey! Never stood a chance
Susie Chugg She didn't even get her own David Starkey documentary, poor thing!
23:30 -- It's strange that all those records survived the fire of 1834. Were they not kept in the old Palace of Westminster at the time?
I felt bad for her after watching this
What is that piece of music t the beginning?
What happened to Lady Jane Grey? She did not get a mention!!
She became The Phoenix.
21:28
She had her head chopped off
She lose her head in the Tower.
Mary was too reliant on Charles V
bless her heart.. she was crazy as a loon.
Such sad lives. Just goes to show you the importance of a loving father and mother. Especially for royals! But I can't help but feel this documentary is biased in a way. Edward was "cold" and "puritanical" but Mary's burning people was "good intentioned"?? Really?? I think Edward would have become a good king, if God had willed. When he matured, he probably would have realized that you can't legislate spirituality.
I think he means that Mary's burnings were simply good intentioned in her own mind.
The illegitmacy of the throne goes further back then henry the vlll it goes back to henry the 11
Actually illegitimacy of rulers of the throne go back to henry l henry was always acredited for taking what was not rightfully his and continuously life after life taking the throne which was not rightfully his
Pretty sure Catholicism is against horoscopes, Robert Rochester. Tut tut.
Exoixx Not back then. In 16th century astrology was absolutely common for catholic royal families. Catherine de Medici was even *obsessed* with horoscopes.
Poor Mary :(
Henry the 2 took the throne in ireland and was not rightful heir