Catherine and Mary I Historical blog source

A blog dedicated to study Catherine Of Aragon's and her daughter, Mary I of England's political figure and their roles in the turbulent 16 century through the historical analysis.

[marythequeen]

Mass was celebrated daily in her bedchamber, and she derived her greatest comfort from it during these final days of her life. A mile or so away, at Lambeth Palace, Cardinal Pole was also dying, and he and Mary consoled each other with loving messages.

Even so, the Queen spent many of her waking hours in tears, impervious to the attempts of her ladies to comfort her. Some visiting councillors asked the Queen why she was so sad, thinking 'that she took some thought for the King's Majesty, her husband, which was gone from her'.

'Indeed, that may be one cause,' she answered, 'but that is not the greatest wound that pierceth mine oppressed mind.' Despite their entreaties, she would not tell them what so grieved her, but later, when just Clarencieux and an attendant called Mrs Rise were with her, she returned to the subject.

'Is it for King Philip's departing from you?' asked Mrs Fuse.

'Not only that,' said the Queen, sighing, 'but when I am dead, you will find Calais lying in my heart.' Years later, Mrs Rise reported the Queen's words to the chronicler Raphael Holinshed, who recorded them for posterity.

-The Children of Henry VIII

[marytudorqueenofengland]

Letter from Mary I of England to Cardinal Reginald Pole, 1555, with blank spaces for the day and month , announcing the expected birth of an heir. Yet, despite her deep longing, the child was never born.

( Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts Existing in the Archives and Collections of Venice, 1534-1554, ed Rawdon Brown (London: Longman, 1873),. May 21st 1555.)

[marytudorqueenofengland]

The phrase "Truth, the daughter of time" is a pretty poetic one, especially when you consider how Mary I of England is being looked at today. For centuries, she’s mostly been remembered as "Bloody Mary," painted as a cruel and cold-hearted figure. But now, scholars are revisiting her story and giving her a more accurate and positive review.

[mametupa]

[marytudorqueenofengland]

“It was said now that she usually slept for at most four hours at night. De Noailles was told by a lady who slept in the Queen's chamber that Mary's dreams of love and passion were so vivid that she often lost complete control of herself in bed, apparently reliving the delights of Philip's lovemaking. In her waking hours, he reported, she spent her time weeping, sighing and raging against her people, and was in such depths of melancholy that nothing seemed to remain for her but to imitate the example of Dido', who had committed suicide. 'But that she will not do,' for suicide was a mortal sin. Instead, she told her ladies, that 'As she had done all possible to induce her husband to return, and as she found he would not, she meant to withdraw utterly from men and live quietly, as she had done the chief part of her life before she married.' In future, religion would be her chief consolation”.

The Children of Henry VIII by Alison Weir (page 324)

[izabelferreiramelo]

Queen Mary I of England (Coronation)

"[...] Mary was brought to the altar where she received the ornaments, her symbols of power: the sword, the sceptre and the orbs. She was crowned with the crown of Edward the Confessor, the imperial crown of the realm and with another, specially made for her, a vast yet simply designed crown with two arches, a large fleur-de-lis and prominent crosses. The choir then burst into a Te Deum.

Mary was crowned in a similar fashion to her male predecessors: ‘girt with a sword as when one is armed a knight, and a King’s sceptre was placed in one hand.’ But there were changes too. In the other hand was placed ‘a sceptre wont to be given to queens, which is surmounted by doves’. Also, in deference to her gender, she just touched the ceremonial spurs rather than having them placed upon her as they were put on Kings. Finally, the crimson mantle furred with ermine was fastened on her shoulders. Arrayed in her regalia, Mary was seated in St Edward’s Chair where she received the nobles, led by Gardiner, who paid homage to her as Queen.

At four o’clock that afternoon Mary emerged from the abbey as a crowned Queen of England.."

—

—

Mary Tudor: England's First Queen by Anna Whitelock

Chapter 41 - God save the Queen Mary

ART by: Izabel de Melo

[emvidal]

Alison says: “Mary was at Greenwich for the Christmas festivities of 1526, when Henry VIII led her out to dance before the court. After Twelfth Night, she returned to Ludlow, but was back at court in April 1527, when it was noted that, at eleven, she was 'the most accomplished person for her age'. Thereafter, she remained at court, where she completed her education - as she had begun it – under her mother's supervision. By then, although she did not know it, storm clouds were starting to overshadow her future.” There’s only 4 weeks to go until Alison’s Tudor novel MARY I: QUEEN OF SORROWS is out in paperback at https://tinyurl.com/45jannpu.

[emvidal]

Portrait of Mary I

[periodcostumefantasylover]

Lucy Westenra & Mina Harker in Bram Stokers Dracula

[queenmarytudor]

Mary I's Fight For The Throne

1st October - Mary is crowned England's first Queen Regnant

On the 31st September, the day prior to her coronation, Mary had processed through London "sitting in a chariot of tissue, drawn with 6 horses, all betrapped with red velvet". 1 The Earl of Oxford bore the sword before her and Sir Edward Hastings led her horses. After the queen's chariot came another covered in cloth of silver "and therin sat at the end, with her face forward, the lady Elizabeth; and at the other end, with her back forward, the lady Anne of Cleves." 2

There were a variety of different pageants across the city, including one by the Florentines where "an angel clothed in green with a trumpet in his hand [...] was made with such a device that when the trumpeter who stood secretly in the pageant did blow his trumpet, the angel did put his trumpet to his mouth as though it should be that he blew the same." 3 Arches in the display included an image "of the Queen triumphant [and under] was written Salus Publica [Public Welfare]. Under the image of Pallas (Athena) Invicta virtus [Invicible Virtue]. Under the history of Tomyris, Libertatis ultrici [Avenging of Liberty]. Under Judith, Patriæ liberatici [Liberator of the Country]. 4

Another one involved "children clothed in women's apparel, the middle having a crown on her head and a sceptre in her hand called Grace, the other on her right called Virtue with a cup and the third Nature with an olive branch. When the queen passed they knelt down and sang." 5

Many featured children and singing; children from the schoolhouse in Saint Paul's church sung verses to Mary, and "there she stayed a good while and gave diligent ear to their song." 6 Another had children holding burning lit tapers "made of most swete perfumes." 7

The star of the show was an acrobat on Saint Paul's steeple, that stood on the weather vane and shook a little flag with his hand, and "after standing on one foot did shake his other leg, and then kneeled on his knees upon the said weather cock, to the great marvel and wondering of all the people which beheld him, because it was thought a matter impossible." 8

The next day, 1st October, Mary's Coronation officially takes place. The streets are "again covered with flowers and decked with stuffs." 9 as Mary goes "from the Hall of Parliament and Justice to the church, in procession with the bishops and priests in full canonical dress." 10

In the church, "the Quire [was] very richly hung with cloth of arras [and] well strewed with rushes, and the place between the high altar and the chair." 11

Once she had entered, "She mounted a scaffolding that was erected at the church for this purpose, and showed herself to the people." 12 The scaffolding had "stairs up to the same and down to the altar, and thereupon a throne of seven stairs, whereof the four uppermost covered with fine baudekin, and the other stairs covered with carpet. And in the middle of the throne set a great royal chair, covered with baudekin damask gold, with two cushions; one black velvet embroidered with gold very richly, and the others of cloth of tissue; the said chair having pillars at the back, whereon stood two lions of gold, and in the midst a turret with a fleur de lys of gold." 13

The Bishop of Winchester conducts Mary to the four corners of the dais and cries "If any man will or can allege any cause why queen Mary should not be crowned, let them speak now :" and then the people in every place of the church cried, " Queen Mary!" 14 He then proclaims the queen's pardon, and Mary is "brought unto the said throne again, and immediately removed into a rich chair by the gentleman ushers before the high altar, upon which altar her Grace offered her pall of baudekin [and money], verifying the words of Scripture,' Thou shalt not appear void before the Lord God." 15

She then returns back to her chair, where a cushion of velvet is then "laid before the altar, upon the which her Grace lay prostrate while certain oraisons were said over her." 16

After oath is taken and the Litany chanted, Mary prepares to be anointed. She had requested fresh oils from Rome to be anointed with, as she had "a scruple that the holy chrisms prepared in England may not be such as they ought because of the ecclesiastical censures upon the country." 17

Now she has "a pall holden over her by four knights of the Garter, the Bishop of Winchester applying the holy oil and chrism and saying unto her certain words, with divers oraisons and prayers. Then after the inunction the Bishop of Winchester did dry every place of the same with cotton or linen cloth." 18

Mary is then brought to the alter again, where she offers up a sword, before returning to her throne at the high alter where "the Bishop of Winchester and the Duke of Norfolk brought unto her Highness three crowns; to wit, one King Edward [the Confessor]'s crown; the other the imperial crown of the realm of England; the third, a very rich crown purposely made for her Grace. Then the crowns were set one after another upon the Queen's head by the Bishop of Winchester; and betwixt the putting on of every crown the trumpets did blow." 19

After the crowning, the choir sing Te Deum accompanied by organs. While the singing occurs, "a ring of gold was put on her Grace's marrying finger by the Bishop of Winchester." 20

Mary is then given bracelets of gold and precious stones by the Master of her Jewel House, before being delivered the royal sceptre, Saint Edward's Staff, the royal spurs, the ball of gold, and the regal of gold by various nobles. 21

"And the Queen thus sitting in her chair apparelled in her royal robes of crimson velvet, containing a mantle with a train, a surcoat with a kirtle furred with the wombs of miniver, pure, a riband of Venice gold, a mantle lace of silk and gold, with buttons and tassels of the same, having her crown imperial on her head, her sceptre in her right hand, and the ball in her left hand, was conveyed again to the throne to St. Edward's chair; having a pair of sabatons on her feet, covered with crimson cloth of gold, lined with crimson satin, garnished with a ribbon of Venice gold." 22

The nobles gathered then pay homage to her, while the Lord Chancellor declares "a goodly large and ample pardon for all manner of offences except certain persons and conditions [...] not worthy to be pardoned." 23

After, Mass is sung while the Gospel is brought to Mary, who kisses it. At the offering part of the Mass ceremony she makes an offering of bead, wine and a pound of gold, and after is conducted to the alter where the Bishop "took the crown from her head and set it on the said altar. Then she was conveyed again into her traverse, and the Lord Great Chamberlain received of her all the regalia, and delivered them to the Dean of Westminster, to be laid upon the said altar. Then her Grace was unclad of her apparel, and other royal apparel given to her by the said Great Chamberlain, a robe of purple velvet with the kirtle and surcoat overcoat, and a mantle with a train furred with miniver and powdered ermine, and a mantle lace of silk and gold, with buttons and tassels of the same, and riband of Venice gold, the crown set upon her head, and a goodly canopy borne over her by the barons of the cinque ports." 24

By this time it is almost 4pm, and Mary has "in her hand a sceptre of gold, and in her other hand a ball of gold, which she twirled and turned in her hand as she came homeward" 25 out of the church.

Mary is carried from the church to Westminster Hall, where a banquet is prepared. After she leaves the church, there is a "scramble for the cloth and rails." 26

At the banquet Mary sits "on a stone chair covered with brocade, which they say was carried off from Scotland in sign of a victory, and was once used by the Kings of Scotland at their crowning", 27 and is served by earls, lords, knights and officers.

The Bishop of Winchester sits on Mary's right, while on her left is her sister Elizabeth and former stepmother, Anne of Cleves. 28

After the first course, "there came riding in on two goodly coursers the Lord High Steward of England, and the Earl Marshal, both richly apparelled, and their horses trapped according to their estate". 29 After the second, "the Queen's Champion appeared upon a courser richly trapped with cloth of gold, holding in his hand a mace, and on the other side of him a page, one holding his spear, another his target with a herald before him. The usual challenge having been made, and repeated thrice, the champion received the cup as his fee from which her Majesty had drunk to him." 30

While the "earls, vassals, and councillors paid homage to her, kissing her on the shoulder", 31 "The Queen's style was then proclaimed by Garter with the rest of the officers of arms, in Latin, French, and English, concluding with ' largesse, largesse, largesse.'" 32

This leads to poor people swarming the kitchens for the left over meat, "And when they had done casting out meat there was no less scrambling for the kitchen it self, every man that would plucking down the hordes thereof, and carrying it away, that it might well be called a waste indeed." 33

After, Mary stands with Elizabeth and Anne of Cleves while the Mayor of London brings another "goodly standing cup of gold to the Queen's Majesty, and after her Highness had drunk so, gave the Mayor the cup." 34

Mary finally withdraws to her private Parliament chambers, and after changing back into her original clothes, is conveyed by water back to Westminster palace, where there is yet more "feasting and cheer." 35

As a relived Simon Renard writes after the event, "the ceremonies came to an end without any of the interruptions or troubles that were feared on the part of the Lutherans, who would rejoice in upsetting the Queen's reign." 36

At the age of 37, Mary has finally achieve her birth right and is the first crowned Queen of England.

Sources:

1. Wriothesley's Chronicle

2. Wriothesley's Chronicle

3. Wriothesley's Chronicle

4. Giulio Raviglio Rosso’s Historia, somegreymatter.com

5. Wriothesley's Chronicle

6. Wriothesley's Chronicle

7. Wriothesley's Chronicle

8. Wriothesley's Chronicle

9. Spanish State Papers, 3rd October 1553

10. Spanish State Papers, 3rd October 1553

11. Crowns & Coronations: A History of Regalia

12. Spanish State Papers, 3rd October 1553

13. Crowns & Coronations: A History of Regalia

14. Wriothesley's Chronicle

15. Wriothesley's Chronicle

16. Wriothesley's Chronicle

17. Spanish State Papers, 9th September 1553

18. Wriothesley's Chronicle

19. Wriothesley's Chronicle

20. Wriothesley's Chronicle

21. Wriothesley's Chronicle

22. Wriothesley's Chronicle

23. Wriothesley's Chronicle

24. Crowns & Coronations: A History of Regalia

25. Wriothesley's Chronicle

26. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

27. Spanish State Papers, 3rd October 1553

28. Crowns & Coronations: A History of Regalia

29. Crowns & Coronations: A History of Regalia

30. Crowns & Coronations: A History of Regalia

31. Spanish State Papers, 3rd October 1553

32. Crowns & Coronations: A History of Regalia

33. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

34. Crowns & Coronations: A History of Regalia

35. Crowns & Coronations: A History of Regalia

36. Spanish State Papers, 3rd October 1553

[thedudleywomen]

The Coronation of Mary I - 01 Oct 1553

On This Day (01 Oct) 1553, Mary I was crowned Queen of England at Westminster Abbey; the first coronation of a queen regnant in England.

Mary had been proclaimed queen on 19 Jul 1553, following the Privy Council abandoning their support for the claim of 'Quene Jane' - Lady Jane Grey; Mary herself was informed the following day whilst continuing to rally her troops at Framlingham Castle, Suffolk.

Mary had left Framlingham the end of Jul, and initially rode to Wanstead Hall, Essex, where she was met by her half-sister Elizabeth. Accompanied by Elizabeth, Mary arrived in London victorious on 03 Aug 1553, where she took possession of the Tower of London (where Jane Grey, husband Guildford Dudley, and father-in-law John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland were still held prisoner).

Mary, accompanied by a large procession, including Elizabeth and former stepmother Anne of Cleves, left the Tower of London on 30 Sep 1553, making their way to the Palace of Westminster. The procession included many of Mary's Catholic allies and sympathisers, some of whom had been released from imprisonment and pardoned following her accession as queen. Passing through the streets of London, they were greeted by supporters, with pageants being performed at various points on the route.

On Sunday 01 Oct 1553, the coronation ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey, where traditionally English monarchs had been crowned since Edward I in 1274.

The ceremony was conducted by her ally Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester; Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury had recently been arrested for his role in Jane Grey's attempted accession to the throne, and would later be executed in 1556.

Mary had insisted on changes to the ceremony, given her distain of the previous Protestant ceremony conducted 6 years previously for her younger half-brother Edward VI. She insisted on new anointed oils being used, as well as the construction of a new coronation chair.

[dailytudors]

Mary I, Queen of England by The Balbusso Twins

Mary I: Queen of Sorrows by Alison Weir

[earlymodernbarbie-deactivated20]

Jane Lapotaire as Queen Catherine of Aragon and Paul Jesson as Henry VIII in William Shakespeare’s Henry VIII/ All Is True (1996)

[earlymodernbarbie-deactivated20]

Jane Lapotaire as both Queen Catherine of Aragon in Shakespeare’s Henry VIII (1996) and her daughter, Queen Mary I in Lady Jane (1986)

[earlymodernbarbie-deactivated20]

More of Sarah Siddons as Queen Catherine of Aragon in William Shakespeare’s Henry VIII

The Court Trial of Queen Katharine by George Henry Harlow/ Mrs. Siddons as Queen Katharine, unknown artist/ Mrs. Siddons as Queen Katharine, unknown artist/ Mrs. Siddons as Queen Katharine by J. Rogers/ Mrs. Siddons as Queen Katharine by William Thomas Fry/ Mrs. Siddons as Queen Katharine, unknown artist

[marythequeen]

Some said the queen was dead; seditious talk was everywhere. Every few days new libels against her were thrown into the streets, stirring up fears and encouraging rebellion. By June, the earl of Pembroke and a number of troops had to be brought in to keep order in London. Protestant pamphleteers alleged that the king kept company with whores and commoners’ daughters while Mary was confined to her rooms. Rumors circulated that Mary had never been pregnant at all “but that a suppositious child is going to be presented as hers”; or that the fetus had been a pet monkey or a lapdog; or that the Queen had delivered “a mole or lump of flesh and was in great peril of death.” Posters were nailed to the palace door and abusive papers thrown into the queen’s own chamber. Others said the queen had been deceived by a tympany or some other disease to believe herself to be pregnant but was not. Some thought that she had miscarried, others that she was bewitched.

-Mary Tudor: Princess, Bastard, Queen by Anna Whitelock

[catalinadearagonsblog]

These stunning portraits of Catherine of Aragon & Henry VIII were commissioned by Maximilian I for a manuscript of polyphony, completed in Mechelen in c.1513.

https://x.com/DrOwenEmmerson/status/1780146288123617692