THE LIFE OF QUEEN MARY I (part 3) | Becoming Bloody Mary | Tudor Monarchs’ Series | History Calling

[@HistoryCalling]

Do you think Mary has been treated fairly by history? Let me know below and don't forget to like and SUBSCRIBE and check out my PATREON site for extra perks at www.patreon.com/historycalling

[@dianesicgala4310]

I do not think she has. Poor lady.

[@teresaklarlham984]

No she hasn't been treated fair by history and the psychological damage that her father did to her probably didn't help a whole lot either. That she came out of that even reasonably halfway sane was a miracle. It is a shame that her legacy is in the fact that she was as cruel as her father, and had little tolerance for people of a different religion..

[@clare5one]

@@teresaklarlham984 If Mary I was SO INTOLERANT, she would have had Elizabeth executed for high treason.

[@TheLyds01]

No. None of the good work she did (That Elizabeth I continued) is mentioned, and the credit of it goes to Elizabeth I (eg plans to mint new coins of better value - it was Edward VI, or rather his Regent, that lowered the value of the coin, almost bankrupting the country, not Mary. Even though she is blamed for it). Also, it was Mary who began backing Universities and began houses for the ill (Hospitals; previously monks helped the ill), not Elizabeth. But Elizabeth obviously saw it as a great idea. Mary has a bad rap because of being Catholic and trying to reverse the protestant religion. Thus her bad decisions were highlighted during and after Elizabeths' reign to ensure no Catholic would ever be accepted again on the Throne of England. King Henry VIII, Edward VI and even our much loved Elizabeth I have done much worse during their reigns. But the choice of fire than other methods and in such a short space of time, deems her worse. It must be said (Not excusing Mary's methods), that Catholics believed during that time, that to burn a sinner at the stake would save their eternal soul. Which is probably why Mary chose this method. Not mentioned or widely known, is Mary's generosity, love of her people and innovative ideas (alas, too short a reign to see real difference, but as mentioned, Elizabeth took on). She has done so much more, but I have already written too much.

[@sether199]

I always felt badly for her. Her story is a sad one.

[@KO-ov6kg]

I read that Mary had difficult periods beginning as a teenager, excessive pain, excessive bleeding, headache, body aches which kept her in bed. It sounds a lot like endodemetriosis, which we now know can affect young women. Women who have endodemetriosis have a very difficuly time getting pregnant, as the lining of the uterus gets ouside the uterus and sticks to nearby organs. Ovulation is hard to pinpoint because the lack of bleeding is also a sign of endo.

[@TheAmocca]

@Jeff Campbell it's often hereditary, yes...

[@lfgifu296]

@Jeff Campbell It’s possible, but Catherine had no problem getting pregnant, she just had one keeping the baby

[@ocean_sapphire]

@Jeff Campbell As someone who was diagnosed with endometriosis, I know this after doing some research on it as well as talking with my doctor. For me, it skipped a generation, & it got passed down to me from my maternal grandmother. It does sound like Mary may have had it too. The symptoms described sound a lot like what I dealt with when I had endo.

[@sselemanehT]

I read that they believe she had pcos. With pcos you usually get pregnant easily enough but you have a hard time keeping it. Endo has a hard time with conceiving in general. Furthermore, pcos is polysistic ovarys and that can be painful. It can have a lot of symptoms like headaches, acne, fatigue and missing periods. I speak as the lucky owner of both diagnosis.

[@veryberry39]

@@sselemanehT PCOS also makes it really difficult to get pregnant. It's not impossible, but it's definitely not easy. It's one of the most common causes of infertility, possibly because it causes irregular periods.

[@wiezyczkowata]

it amazes me that between Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII marriage and Elizabeth becoming a Queen was only 25 years passed, there is so much history packed in those years that it feels like it all took way longer then just 25 years,

[@janettemccubbin9009]

Although I feel sorry for Mary, it seems all the Tudors are entitled to the term "bloody".

[@HistoryCalling]

That's very true actually.

[@joshuaowensjr8694]

We need to think of the context these people were living in. I guarantee you if we were living back then we would’ve done those atrocious things too but if they were living nowadays, they would view it as people like us do

[@joshuaowensjr8694]

It doesn’t make her monster she wasn’t a monster she was actually very kind

[@gailowenby7869]

I feel like she is a product of her upbringing She was the pampered, loved daughter of a powerful man… then in an instant she was discarded by her father, ripped from her mother and treated terribly. From what I’ve read Phillip was a terrible husband that didn’t want to marry her and found her unattractive ( and didn’t really try to hide his feelings) I agree that all this does not excuse her actions but I think it makes them a bit more understandable. You mentioned that Elizabeth was a scheming sister…. maybe…. but what a difference in the way the two of them were raised. Elizabeth never had a real feeling of being pampered or loved the way Mary did. Elizabeth had to fight for everything from day 1. Love the Tudors! Love your presentations!! 💜

[@beth7935]

I used to think Mary had had Jane executed immediately, & the fact that she didn't, & was remarkably forgiving at first, is a major reason I think she's judged too harshly. And her bad reputation would lead to people assuming she executed Jane immediately, which would be another reason to dislike her- a vicious circle. I'm glad you pointed out that heretics were seen as an actual danger- there was more to it than religious intolerance or dogmatism. But I don't approve of burning heretics, so I don't think she deserves a good reputation, just a fair judgement based on what she _actually_ did, what Tudor England was like, her situation, & the horrible pain she'd suffered in her life.

[@HistoryCalling]

Totally agree :-)

[@jamesnoel5173]

Burning heretics was the LAW in England. Queen Mary didn't invent it. Her father had even had heretics burned as well. It's just that history, which is written by the victors, has conveniently forgotten this. Also, much of Mary's history of burning heretics that is presented in this history seems to be based on Foxe's Book of Martyrs, which many modern scholars doubt as being truthful. To say that Mary should have been more tolerant of other beliefs is imposing our modern values on the values of the 16th century. The historian should know better than to do this.

[@beth7935]

@@jamesnoel5173 I'm aware of that- as I said, it wasn't mere dogmatism; heretics were believed to put everyone's salvation at risk. Burning them was standard practice, & if I was alive then & Catholic, I'd probably agree with it, but I'm not & I don't- I don't believe in the death penalty full stop, & I think it's valid to have a personal, moral, modern opinion, but separately from that, I recognise that Mary had little choice but to execute Jane, just as with Elizabeth I & Mary Queen of Scots. Jane's father essentially signed her death warrant with Wyatt's Rebellion, although Jane's own letters preaching Protestantism to Mary didn't help. I think Henry VIII was immeasurably worse, & deserves the epithet "Bloody", which I never use for Mary.

[@Chuck0856]

OK but what about Henry killing Catholics and those who disagree with him?

[@DeidreL9]

I think Mary was ill loved and ill cherished, and that scarred her forever. She was a tyrant, yes…she was her fathers daughter and I firmly believe there were mental health issues going on there. Her legacy, she did not expect, to be so despised as bloody and vicious. I hope she had a heart. I really do. But I fear it became hard and steely and twisted into vindictiveness. It’s all very tragic, and if only she’d had a chance to feel loved, it may have manifested quite differently. Edit: l do agree that she had admirable qualities and I also feel for her. But…I think there’s a line, and she definitely crossed it. You’ve done this so very well💐

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much. I'd glad you think I got the line right between sympathy for Mary and not overlooking her terrible later crimes. It was tricky to do, as I didn't ever want to be seen to be making excuses for all the burnings and what happened to Lady Jane Grey.

[@briandelaney9710]

Mary was no more a tyrant then Charles V or Francois II

[@eliotreader8220]

@@HistoryCalling you certainly put a better light on Mary the first. is possible that she might have been what we would now call a strong woman? I didn't know that she was a pretty decent Queen of England.

[@xjp1998]

The thing about Mary is she could have been totally different but Henry treated her so bad it scarred her for life. I think that some blame can be put on Henry. I think the relationship with Elizabeth helped her in some ways and you can tell Elizabeth loved her sister by how they are resting together. But in the end, Mary still did what she did and she was a cruel ruler and that cant be changed. It can be said that the way she was treated as a young lady led to this and that in the end, she might have had some mental problems in trust and so forth as she got older.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think there was a lot of damage there which needs to be taken into account when seeking to understand her later actions.

[@HK-gm8pe]

its sad to think that Mary and Elizabeth could have been sooo close actually, they had very similar lives, they could have been loving sisters , especially after Edward dismissed both of them , but it was literally religion what separated them , faith should never be a cause of hate but I believe that deep down they cared about eachother in some way, Elizabeth supported Mary in her plan to take the throne and May wasnt able to sign her sisters death warrant, it shows that they felt something towards eachother

[@ryanborder189]

What a ridiculous statement. They did not want to be buried together-James the First did that-Mary asked to be buried with her mother. If you have ever visited their tomb in Westminster Abbey you would barely notice Mary is there at all. The tomb is all about Elizabeth and Mary barely gets a mention. She must be turning in her grave at the thought and bristling with indignation. Please stop trying to project your smaltzy sentimentality onto people who would never have felt it-they were deadly serious.

[@Chuck0856]

MARY was a cruel ruler? What was Henry? If anyone deserves to be called Bloody, it's HIM.

[@conniecondra4535]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but Mary and Elizabeth's tombs being together had nothing to do with Elizabeth. Elizabeth's tomb was in a different part of Westminster. James I moved Elizabeth's tomb to where it now sits. James moved his mother"s (Mary, Queen of Scots) body from Peterborough Cathedral to Westminster and had her reburied where Elizabeth's tomb had originally stood.

[@Patricia-zq5ug]

I've always felt so sorry for Lady Jane Grey, manipulated by ambitious and avaricious men into something she never wished for.

[@joshuaowensjr8694]

That is completely wrong. I suggest you read Leland’s de lisle book.

[@mackss9468]

Bravo, bravo, bravo!!!! This is the best telling of Mary’s story that I have ever heard!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much :-)

[@nancy6160]

I agree. Fairly done!

[@helenmarshall3799]

The last three paragraphs sums all this up so well. Outstanding narration, research and oratory and easily understood given the complexity of the times. Brilliant work

[@mackss9468]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@lindacoolbaugh962]

I always wished the show The Tudors spun off another show with Edward, Mary & Elizabeth (with the actresses who played the young women) Talk about sibling rivalry!! Great videos examining the life of Mary I

[@HistoryCalling]

Same here, but with the alterations they'd made to the Tudor royal family (effectively eliminating the entire Mary, Queen of Scots bloodline by combining Margaret and Mary Tudor's storylines into one), there would have come a point where it would have been difficult to continue.

[@Chuck0856]

Jut remember most of the Tudors was invented or deliberately fudged.

[@Nightwalker-zk6ce]

I love how you worded your personal thoughts on Mary at the end, I agree that I have a lot of sympathy for her, but not as much as I feel for Jane Grey. I wish Mary had never been put through everything Henry, Anne, and Edward had done to her, I think there’s a good chance she would have been a more tolerant and level-headed ruler if those three had never treated her so harshly.

[@perniciouspete4986]

That's true of anyone, even a woman like Bloody Mary who had several hundred people murdered.

[@taminy2051]

Finally I understood that “in the tarr” means “in the tower”!

[@professorsogol5824]

Yes, our narrator has a most interesting idiolect and I wish we knew about its origin than what is included on the "about page" and the Official Website (Northern Ireland and "a UK university").

[@naly202]

If only she'd left people alone. She knew very well how awful it was to not be allowed to practice your faith. She could have shown mercy....

[@jmie5]

No offense intended when it's said in the video that Mary thought she was saving souls by rooting out disease and burning heretics, even saving the heretics' souls. To her, there was no mercy in allowing someone to lose their place in Heaven. If only Henry hadn't been such an insufferable asshole.

[@leanie9660]

Yeah...too bad that the Catholic Church espoused the burning of heretics in order to "save their souls". One of Mary's mistakes was to publicize these burnings. She possibly hoped that the horror would push her people back to what she considered to be "the true religion" and the only way that these subjects could be saved (as she had been told over and over). Even today, I have been forced to listen to fanatics rave on about the danger to my soul. Sheesh !! It is embarrassing to me that humanity is still clinging to religious nonsense in the twenty first century. I hope that future historians realize that most people no longer subscribe to that crap

[@jmie5]

@@leanie9660 Good point about what the Catholic church allowed (I wonder what the Protestant did, but that's not the point,) and it's definitely a mistake to publicize. I'll put it this way, my friend, I am deeply religious, but I am extremely frustrated and annoyed with the majority of evangelicals and anyone trying to save the soul of another person, trying to preach to anyone that just wants to be left alone, including myself. There's so many religions, so many things to believe or not, and often -- you know what, I'm going to call a lot of it crap. Trying to save a person's soul in common day society is crap because I have seen what religious hypocrites can do. (That's why I keep it to myself -- also, this rant sounds semi-unhinged, I'm sure.)

[@e.starling141]

@@leanie9660 Its not "nonsense" thats just your subjective opinion. You cant prove he doesn't exist as much as I cant prove he does. And there are a lot of people in this world who still believe in God. And the morals that go with that. Though it makes me sad there arent as many as there used to be. Of course I agree with you on that. But theres nothing wrong with someone having their own religion and beliefs. The issue was murdering those who didnt share your own. But the idea of a God-less world in total makes me sad. It makes me sad there are people like you who judge others and their beliefs and ability to have faith.

[@BiG-JuPO1O1]

She couldn't, due to rebellions breaking out against her. She had no choice to kill them, seeing them as threat to her religion and throne. Queen Elizabeth did the samething but killed more people.

[@skinsciencebymira]

I absolutely think her life was traumatic and a huge factor in explaining her actions. I also think she was absolutely villainized and the truth shows she wasn’t as unreasonable as she’s painted. But… it’s a little crazy that she would burn heretics when you consider her dedication to her own faith when her brother was in power.

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. She was always very single minded about religion. She was right, everyone else was wrong and she didn't seem able to grasp that others might have beliefs equally as deep rooted as hers, but for a different faith.

[@Nora-xk5tf]

Edward VI killed Catholics and some protestants, even his own Uncle. Recall Edward VI's "journal" notes date and time his Uncle got Beheaded. His tone chilling cold. This action left the minor aged King without a male family member who would have protected him, who would not have stuffed him like Northumberland did with pain killers of the era, who had Edw VI given liquid concoctions with Arsenic to extend the inevitable death of this teen King... All because Edward's Protector the D. Of Northumberland needed more time to pull off the proposed flip of the line of succession to be Jane Grey. He eliminated the first 3 named in K. Henry the VIII's will sanctioned as law by Parliament. Gutsy and more scarey how very close the Duke of N nearly did it. The people of England turned the tied for Q.Mary to ascend, thus, Q.Eliz I. If Q. JANE DUDLEY won the day to reign, surely both Mary And Elizabeth would've been executed or quietly murdered. Think of the sharks circling round the throne of England. Idea was HER Mother Frances Brandon Grey to be Jane's minority reagent, or see it like this, the actual throne would be empty 12 to 24 months, while Mom Frances Grey was Reagent. Leaving England's Throne wide open for France, Spain, even the Danes to swim like killer Sharks circling England and cut down those arrogant aristocrats that cooked up Edward's "Devise of my Succession"... hard to prove they put the idea into K.Edward's head. But given the teenaged boy King knew He was dying, date the Devise documents were written up and signed, Edward already was in the early stages of death, stuffed with pain meds of the day, his mind's mental state, his minority age, deemed his documents null and void. K.EDWARD DIDN'T have the permission of Parliment, plus again, his age meant Edw was young, too immature to be qualified to enable such a brazing stunt where he had the power to change up his father's Will and law. Shame he was alone in death without the opportunity to have last words with his 2 sisters on account of they'd be imprisoned and killed. Creepy, unstable time to be Alive, praise God I am born this era. AC in summer and Heat in winter, showers and swimming pool, phones and electricity...best too... the toilets...sneakers, sandles and shorts (or Boxers for the gents) and cotton for girls, plus bras not corsets. We have grace, we have style they'd give their eye-teeth to experience! Love this Utube doc

[@NDRogueElf]

Excellent analysis and wonderful food for thought. She seems a great example of the adage, “hurt people hurt people”. There are reasons why abuse tends to be generational. Henry was an abuser in so many ways: his people, his family, his country. It sounds partly like she mimicked Henry’s behavior (expectations of a monarch at the time plus his abusive practices on top) and she ended up in an abusive marriage with a philanderer who sounds like he worked to control her…sounds familiar. It’s such a sad and common story that abuse victims can end up doing the same abusive things their abusers did and victims end up in relationships similar to those they previously experienced abuse in. But it doesn’t vindicate her or any other abuse victims who become perpetrators. Many victims break the cycle, find help and healing, and try to help lift others out of abuse. Reviewing her history makes her human: relatable and able to be pitied as far as that goes. It also makes her actions even more awful as she knew intimately just how awful it feels to have those things done to you.

[@ericabouchard8786]

I agree with your last summary. I definitely think it was her upbringing and childhood that hardened her. To my knowledge once Henry set eyes on Anne Boylen, divorced Catherine, and removed Mary from the succession line it broke her. Then I've heard Anne was not kind to Mary. Mary would not say Anne was the queen and this upset her step mom. I see why Elizabeth never married or had children. She knew if she married the power would automatically go to the man. And given what happened to her mother when she was 2.... it was not a blessing to be a Tudor or in court at that time.

[@bluestrife28]

This was amazing. Mary has always been of some interest to me; because the movie Elizabeth gave her more than just a picture in a book status to me. I feel more sympathy for her every time I see that movie, especially when you consider her history. The actress did a good job of portraying a broken woman. But this documentary I just watched here, you really made me feel for her. Well done! Watching all of these now .

[@joesoap2014]

Thanks for the fascinating documentary - it was interesting the way you described Mary - it seemed that she was merciful up to a point in her reign, then a switch was flicked and she turned into a monster. I wonder if all of the bad luck and misery she suffered during her life finally bubbled up to the surface, and then with the absolute power with being monarch she made some very bad decisions, or just decided that it was time to stop being Mary the Kind? It also brings up the question as to what would have happened if she hadn't died so young - would she have been overthrown at some point, she certainly seemed to have run out of friends very quickly!

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, maybe there would have eventually been a successful plot to put Elizabeth on the throne. It's not a good sign that there were so many attempts to oust her in such a short period of time (it's something I'm sure her grandfather, H7, could have sympathised with).

[@Anna-jr8gu]

She was born under an unlucky star ... That's all I have to say this week :) thanks for sharing I always love your videos!

[@HistoryCalling]

It sums her very nicely though. You're welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@serpinkerton4020]

Finally high quality KZbin content about our beloved cracked family -The Tudors- Thank you so much

[@HistoryCalling]

Haha, an apt description of them in many ways. Thanks for watching. I'm glad you liked the video.

[@mesamies123]

Excellent and intelligently sympathetic with real intellection. Thank you.

[@HistoryCalling]

No, thank you :-) That was such a nice comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@GradKat]

Very good series about Mary - thank you. Mary certainly suffered appallingly in her youth, but I can’t warm to her. In her own way, she was ultimately as brutal, cruel and ruthless as her dear old dad.

[@HistoryCalling]

I understand what you mean. In some ways they are similar. Quite happy childhoods with good mothers, but difficult relationships with their fathers, then it all goes wrong later on (albeit for very different reasons and they become tyrannical).

[@Elizabeth-hc3mi]

True, but she I feel like she has a really bad rep compared to other monarchs. Isabella of Castille Catherine de Medici, and Maria Theresa, killed hundreds more than Mary, but their considered "strong female monarches". Have you heard what happened at William I's coronation? And have you read what Richard I did on crusades? Yet we call them "William the Conqueror" and "Richard the Lionheart" while Mary gets the epithet of "Bloody Mary". That's not even mentioning the crowns dealings with Ireland and Wales I'm not saying what she did was right, Elizabeth showed there was a better way, but I also feel like history has done her dirty signalling her out for her viciousness. She was by no means the worst or "bloodiest" English monarch, and one of the relatively tame contemporary European monarches. Yet she was not a victor, thus she did not write history and next to King John she is probably one of the most hated English monarches.

[@francisobimarian]

Very impressive series. I love how you present a balanced view rather than succumbing to the common myths created by propaganda over the centuries. The marian persecutions were an abomination, I 100% agree, but that doesn't mean we should excuse the Elizabethan persecutions and just call her "Gloriana" because she got her share of luck. We need more historians like you out there.

[@christinepaige2575]

It seems to me that the only reason we don't have "Bloody Henry" rather than "Bloody Mary" is that his innovation, the Anglican Church, managed to succeed -- not without plenty of brutality toward and executions of Catholics who refused to get with the program.

[@JohnP538]

Good King Hal only slaughtered somewhere over 50,000, but he did it making the right people rich and powerful so he gets a pass.

[@Amahl1971]

And Mary did likewise. Only to Protestants.

[@antmagor]

@@JohnP538 not to mention the fact that he was a man during a time where women were second class citizens. And while Mary was the anointed queen, the fact of the matter is she was going to be held to different scrutiny than her father and brother. I think Elizabeth was fully conscious of that when she succeeded the throne, and it may play a large role in why she chose to never marry. Not to mention seeing what happened to queen Catherine Howard, and knowing what happened to her mother.

[@BiG-JuPO1O1]

Don't forget Queen Elizabeth killed more than Mary did. Mary actually gaved Lady Jane a chance until another Rebellion broke out for Lady Jane.

[@antmagor]

@@BiG-JuPO1O1 don’t forget it’s not a contest , and If we’re talking kill count I bet Henry killed a lot more. The reason why Elizabeth gets good marks is because of the decisions made during the golden age laid the groundwork for change further down the road. If it hadn’t been for the reformation (as devastating as it was for English Catholics) The road to secularism may never have been paved.

[@rosiellagrace]

Just commenting for the algorithm.. really enjoyed your videos, they're extremely indepth and your voice is quite calming. 🌹🌹

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you! I don't think many people appreciate how the algorithm works and that that's why KZbinrs are always begging for comments and likes (and also, it's lovely to talk to our followers of course). Your comment is much appreciated and I'm glad you're enjoying the content too :-)

[@rosiellagrace]

@@HistoryCalling I've had a couple friends with smaller than 10k subs and, y'all don't just love askin' for the sake of it / your channel, LOL, any interaction helps and even if it's done for fun, ain't easy to do, either.. it don't take a second to throw some emojis in or somethin' if I ain't, particularly, got anything to add or ask; this is definitely not my area of expertise but it's always been interesting to me, least I can do to enjoy the content on a sleepless night. Your passion and attention to detail made for an easy sub, darlin'! 😚💋

[@SophieLovesSunsets]

You have such a lovely voice :) Another great and informative video. I 100% understand your feelings of pity and admiration for Mary. She did some awful things, outright evil at times, but I can't help but feel a great deal of sympathy for her. Mary's views and ruthlessness was the product of an extremely toxic upbringing, especially her harsh and extremist views on religion, and in my opinion, it definitely stemmed back to how her mother was treated. I find it very hard to believe that anyone who grew up with a full blown narcissist like Henry VIII as a father would grow up to be a well rounded human being. Both Mary and Elizabeth had to fight for everything they had in life.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you. Yes, I agree both sisters had to be fighters and survivors.

[@lauraramsey8658]

It’s so wonderful to see a history channel created by a woman, your videos are so well explained and interesting. As someone who is doing a history diploma right now it’s great to see other women with the same passions!

[@DiabolicalAngel]

I agree with your assessment. Mary is my favorite of the Tudor house not because she was a great person, but because she was deeply complex. As you rightly pointed out- she, along with Elizabeth, was abused. First by their father, and then a succession of others. Basically, from the moment Mary's parents divorced, she couldn't catch a break, ever. The little happiness she had was fleeting. What doomed Mary in the end I think was her refusal to adapt to an England very different from the one she remembered. She couldn't let go. Great documentary on a fascinating woman.

[@SurferJoe1]

It's too tempting to draw the line from her father to her, and look at the psychological connections of two tyrants who may have been governed by related pathologies. But we have little more than their actions and circumstances to psychoanalyze them with. Great information and insight; thanks for all your excellent work.

[@XxBloggs]

I’m really enjoying your channel. It’s pitched just right for your audience, it’s sensible but empathetic history and your voice is just a delight to hear. I’m looking forward to much more from you.

[@stephencarrillo5905]

Throwback Thursday - something else to look forward to, HC. I'd always written off Mary Tudor based on her terrible deeds as "Bloody Mary" but I actually consider this one of my favorite episodes in your series. I've returned to it several times since becoming a fan. I'm so impressed by your ability to humanize historical figures like Mary. As I rewatched this video I kept thinking of Kathy Burke's portrayal of her in the historical travesty "Elizabeth". I believe the script had reduced Mary to a flat villainess but Burke's artistry elevated the material. Thanks for reshaping, HC. See ya next week! 🙏🏼

[@sharoncarter4086]

I adore history and learning our wonderful English heritage 💜

[@ladyagnes7781]

History is written by the survivors. Her father killed more than any of the Tudors, & even thoughElizabeth started out tolerant, by the later stages in her reign , she was killing swathes of Catholics. Had Mary lived & bore a Catholic decendant, her reputation would be much better. She would have been the glory that undid the brief mistake of Henry VIII & Edward VI. Since she died leaving her throne to her Protestant sister, her return to Catholicism was seen as bad by the ( Protestant) power that followed her.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think you're correct there. Next week's video actually looks at some of Elizabeth's less pleasant decisions that I think people often forget about, as I agree that while she was a great Queen, she was far from perfect and could be as cruel and unforgiving as Henry and Mary when it suited her.

[@ladyagnes7781]

Thanks, I honestly think both of Henry VIII 's daughters were pushed into opposite corners , & in some ways, couldn't escape them. Mary was forced to defend her right to the throne, her beloved mother's honor, & her heritage......through Catholicism. Too much Protestant toleration ment that maybe her mother's sacrifice, her Godmother's death, her friends& defenders deaths were all for nothing. And she might not have a right to the throne. Elizabeth's rightbto rule (& possibly to live) was based on the Protestant version of the story. Too much Catholic toleration ment that she had no rights( because her father was married to Catherine of Aragon) & the throne should go to Mary Queen of Scott's. Strangely, the Tudor dynastic link was from John of Gaunt'' illegitimate line through Henry VII's maternal line( which is why marring Elizabeth of York was the perfect dynastic move for him, as well as an eventually loving marriage). Both Tudor daughters tried to be kind & tolerant, but I believe both were trapped in a situation started by their cruel father. They were handcuffed to that history. They did their best, but neither could entirely escape.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I would imagine Mary's outlook was coloured by the idea that 'I can't let it all have been for nothing' and Elizabeth had an incredible weak claim to legitimacy that she couldn't afford to draw much attention to. A very complicated family!

[@cplmpcocptcl6306]

Very well said.👍🏻

[@katerobins3137]

YES you're right

[@selfhealer6339]

I am really enjoying your videos, I think they are very well balanced. I especially enjoyed gaining more insight into Mary, I came away with respect for her. You know that history lessons in Northern Ireland are never going to be unbiased, so it's a pleasure to learn now what I missed out on. Thank you!

[@aika0604]

Very well done video! 💜 The Tudors have always fascinated me ever since I was young so I’m very happy that KZbin recommended your video to me! 😁 It’s well-researched and I really like how calming your voice is. I appreciate how well you balance historical facts with compassion and fairness. I really like that you humanized Mary, highlighted just how heartbreakingly tragic her life was BUT also made sure to not excuse her terrible actions. I feel like in the age of social media, people have become black and white in their thinking, so it’s nice to come across creators (and just people in general), who are balanced in their thinking and see things in shades of grey. You can have empathy for a person but still hold them accountable for the bad things that they’ve done. I do see that Mary has been treated unfairly by history… is she completely innocent? No, not all. I think of all those innocent people, of poor Lady Jane Grey, and there is absolutely no way to justify their deaths. But Mary doesn’t deserve to be seen as the most evil monster to have ever lived. As you said best, she’s not a two-dimensional villain but a complex person shaped by her environment and experiences. Wooo this is long haha,so anyway thank you so much for this video! I hope you keep making more content in the future. I’ll definitely be coming back to this channel. 💓💓

[@wcfheadshots240]

I love your final thoughts on Mary at the end. Mary was a product of her times.

[@sophia__1509]

The one thing that really, really breaks my heart about Mary is when she died she requested to be buried with her mother, and she wasn't. Furthermore, she was buried with the sister she always had a competition with and resented.

[@Taeallday802]

Buried beneath her sister. Double dirty. But, she was a horrific murder so🤷🏼‍♀️

[@WinterrBean]

Excellent video, you really illustrate how Mary became driven to such a dark place. Please do a video about the Pilgrimage of Grace and/or Anne Askew. I can’t wait to see what other videos you have on your channel!

[@dianesicgala4310]

Great video. Thank you.

[@HistoryCalling]

Glad you liked it. :-)

[@GeorgieGoodGirl]

Loved the video. Thank you

[@HistoryCalling]

You are so welcome!

[@heatherjohnson9463]

Yes i completely agree with your summary at the end of this lesson. There have been and continue to be so many issues with royalty as we human beings are such complex creatures. Whilst Mary was steadfast in her beliefs and very courageous the burning of heretics was absolutely shocking. though.

[@jamesnoel5173]

I think Queen Mary's single biggest mistake was marrying the Spanish prince. Wowsa. How much history would have been different if she had married a good Catholic English man.

[@edithengel2284]

I think things might have gone better. Philip was an unforced error on Mary's part. A disaster.

[@michaelrooney1454]

Great set of videos on Mary Tudor. Thank you

[@CBCycles]

I hate to flatter people, especially on KZbin, it’s just way too easy to gush and fawn over every little thing you watch. But this video was exceptional, and your summary in the last few minutes was extraordinary, just so right on, so thank you. Oh, and your voice is perfect. Lol. Yes Mary was a damaged individual, perfectly stated, one of history’s most pitiable rulers.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much. That's such a lovely comment to leave and for me to read :-) Thank you for taking the time to watch one of the older videos as well.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much. That's such a lovely comment to leave and for me to read :-) Thank you for taking the time to watch one of the older videos as well.

[@inesclark7350]

Bad is bad and can’t be excused

[@countdownda]

Such a fantastic end assessment

[@Ishisah]

I like that the narrator/host/creator 🤔, tries to see things in the point-of-view of the subject, using the context of that time.

[@ashleystroebel1018]

Hope you're having a wonderful festive season. Please could you do a documentary on this painting of Mary? It was very well executed (excuse the very dry humour), and I wondered what the history behind it was.

[@beastieber5028]

I really appreciate your video on history

[@d.r.2710]

Hello. I'm new to your channel, and I love it. I also love your accent. You do a great job!

[@Elizabeth-hc3mi]

18:47 This relationship always fascinated me. They probably knew eachother in their youth, and then were separated in part because Reginald was trying to help Mary. They then went to hell and back, loseing loved ones in part due to the "new religion" Taking two deeply tramuatized people and placing them in a position of power sounds like a revipee for disaster.

[@bakoyma]

I love your videos

[@Chipoo88]

Great video. Thank you. What about her achievements such as the right for a female monarch to rule just as a king; finance and coinage; trade with the east; education? It would be great to hear about more of this

[@mimimatasar3699]

Fabulous , thank you, An analysis of the time and many facts , "poor bloody , unloved Mary."

[@HistoryCalling]

You're very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@oak699]

She was a Tudor. They all were pretty vicious.

[@HistoryCalling]

They were. You wouldn't have wanted to mess with any of them, not even Elizabeth who possibly has the best reputation of the lot.

[@yamahabiker1937]

Show me where it is written that life was promised to be a rose garden. She turned out to be as blood thirsty as her father and there is no excuse for her blood shed and cruelty. I know it was a different time, but religious beliefs or not, she had to have heard that inner voice telling her it was wrong; if not, then she was insane.

[@sirgalahad1376]

I hear Mary made one heck of a cocktail. Something about tomato juice and celery?

[@Oscarhobbit]

Firstly, I have declare that I am both a preacher of the Reformed faith and a historian. With that said I believe that Mary l was yet another victim of Henry VIII. Do you know of any research carried out into the mental health of the Tudors? I also agree with your argument that Lady Jane Grey was a victim and a pawn in a larger game. I do wonder however, how much influence Philip II of Spain had on Mary's zealousness to stamp out heresy in England. As the Grandmaster of the Order of the Golden Fleece he was sworn to protect the Catholic faith and also embarked on a campaign of of burning across the Spanish Netherlands, martyring countless of his Protestant subjects. Just as a "Black Legacy " of Spain was constructed during Elizabeth's time, Mary I may also be a victim of a "Black Legacy". This was a time of extreme religious intolerance across Europe. Elizabeth I also sent many Catholics to their deaths, but their father out did both his daughters. I would love you to do a video on James's VI of Scotland/ James I England. Yet another outstanding video.

[@suzannebartholomew547]

I believe that Mary's disappointments and depression made a monster. Nothing justifies the many murders done in her name.

[@dianesicgala4310]

Such a sad life.

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. An almost total waste of potential :-(

[@ceeveekaye]

I so appreciate this channel. Thank you so much for the content you provide. I had a question about this video, specifically about Lady Jane Grey. I'd heard or read somewhere that she was given several chances to apologize and either recognize Mary as head of the church, or to convert or both- I'm having trouble remembering the specifics now or where I first got this information. But apparently, she was adamant that she would not denounce Protestantism and could have done so to save her own life but was determined to be a martyr instead. Is there any information to support that or did Mary have her executed almost preemptively, to avoid another uprising in Lady Jane Grey's favor?

[@Nana-vi4rd]

I agree, if Mary had been treated better by her father and her brother, if her husband had stood by her when she needed him. Also, those around her when she finally was on the throne, should take much of the blame for the deaths laid at her feet. For they were the ones advising her. Also, if i am not mistaken, her father killed far more people then she did over the subject of religion. Look what he did to those who marched under the banner of the five wounds of Christ. All they wanted was the freedom to worship God as their hearts and minds dictated. But Henry refused and said one thing then turned around and did the opposite. Killing innocent women and children. I think Mary could be forgiven for her crimes, that much of the blame should be laid at the feet of her father, her brother, his advisors and those of her own.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, Henry did have a high death toll (partly due to a much longer reign of course). Tudor England was certainly a dangerous place!

[@susansheehan9726]

Great take on 'Mary',she was treated abhorrently. Not an excuse of course but great to hear 'why' certain horrendous actions took place.

[@anandmorris]

I have nothing intelligent to add, only that since a young age, i have always had a bit of crush on Mary I. Oh what could have been if i had a time machine... Yep. I have been single waaaayyy too long.

[@891Henry]

Throughout your programs you use a series of beautiful stained glass windows showing the people involved. Where are they located? Thanks.

[@robinlillian9471]

Edward VI also disinherited Elizabeth, which was more unusual, because she was also Protestant. Protestants had good reason to fear Mary as Queen. She did burn hundreds of them for their religion.

[@rwboa22]

In regards of the Prayer Book, when Mary I became Queen Regnant of England, the Church of England was using the 1552 Prayer Book, which was a radical revision of the 1549 Prayer Book, of which that book, based of the Lutheran liturgies in the Electorate-Archbishopric of Cologne, had language more closely resembling that of Eastern Orthodoxy. When Elizabeth Tudor succeeded Mary I and restored the Church of England as an independent body, the 1559 Prayer Book, used until the regicide of Charles I under the hands of Cromwell and the Parliamentarians, had elements of both the First (1549) and Second (1552) Prayer Books incorporated.

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thanks

[@mirnacudiczgela1963]

Being Catholic, I admire Mary for her courage and pity her because of what she endured, but do not approve of her cruelty, even when she forced the priests to leave their wives. Despite being Catholic, I disapprove of obligatory celibacy.

[@terryroots5023]

I wonder whether Mary could ever have restored Catholicism to England, no however many she had burned, or whoever she had wed. Henry had dispossessed the Catholic Church, and many had profited from this, being awarded church lands to reinforce their loyalty. On top of that, some had moved to believe zealously in the Protestant cause, as it allowed them to worship in their own language, gave them a personal relationship with their God, and had brought down the Catholic Church, which they saw as corrupt.

[@Theturtleowl]

I find it somewhat ironic that the window depicting Cranmer's death is in a church dedicated to st. Mary.

[@edithengel2284]

Why is that ironic? Cranmer had no issues with the Virgin Mary.

[@topherv4229]

I may have written this before (as this is the second time I've watched this) but a 12th Great Uncle, the Rev. John Rogers was burnt at the stake in Feb 1655 for speaking out from his pulpit about the Queen and Catholicism. I have a copy of the Bible he compiled too. Great videos!

[@edithengel2284]

The photo-martyr. He had a lot of descendants, many of whom ended up in here in New England. That is very interesting about the Bible.

[@tracymcardle7395]

Although Mary was anused all her childhood and teenage years I can't warm to her at all, we don't really know what she was like, but she was so wicked during her reign, I think because of her childhood, she became hardened, and who can blame her, she had no one, She married King Phillip of Spain who was not very nice to her, and he finally left her alone thinking she was pregnant (she wasn't) she died alone. So I can see why she was so bitte and unhappy,

[@briandelaney9710]

Are all the other monarchs of the period who also prosecuted heretics (Protestant and Catholic) also “wicked “? They were considered a danger to the soul and also the religious unity of a country

[@jofromoz]

Her reputation is well earned, pious reverence gone mad!

[@hannahkillian689]

Man, can you imagine being a priest told to leave your wife or a wife being told your husband had to leave you bc the Queen said so... And what if some of them had kids? Imagine all those kids watching their father leave and maybe not getting to see him again... :(

[@l-kin3480]

That's what happened centuries prior when the catholic church forbade marriage for priests so the vatican could inherit their monies and properties after death instead of it going to their widows and children. A lot of them wound up in poverty, begging and prostituting

[@creatingkismet2075]

In my mind, it's very strange that Mary I should be known as "Bloody" Mary for executing 300 people in 5 years, whereas Henry VIII doesn't have that condemnation even though he executed 57K people over 36 years. He is declared a tyrant but doesn't have a damning moniker pursuing him through history. As ever, a wonderful video series. Thank you.

[@bertrandlechat4330]

I think the name "Henry VIII" is in itself plenty of condemnation without any help from others.

[@phillipaburgess293]

That estimated number of executions includes those of thieves and vagabonds, so not all were political, religious, or personal executions directly related to the activities of Henry VIII. The means of coming to this number of executions seems to come from the records of a single county for a single year and then multiplying that over all the counties over the entire reign of Henry VIII, so this number would seem to be highly speculative.

[@NCKrypotonite33]

I fully agree with this. Her brother and sister had numerous people put to death as well. But if anyone should be called "bloody" it should be her father.

[@edithengel2284]

To date I have never seen evidentiary support for that figure of Henry's executions. Not that he didn't have people executed, but I should like to see some proof of that number.

[@timothyramsey7010]

A lot of people had a really hard life me for instance but I did not turn into a murderous killer

[@georginaspeirs6097]

I always thought the way her husband treated hher as cruel. The way she was treated by her father terrible, but what she did to Jane was unforgettable

[@ginadeboer8922]

I love learning history this way, but you really need to add English closed captioning.

[@joelas87]

why? i understand every word she uttered; she has a different accent; perhaps Scottish; but it’s beautiful

[@bonbonvegabon]

@@joelas87 some people are deaf yo

[@joelas87]

@@bonbonvegabon youtube should have this feature

[@edithengel2284]

To all above: the closed captioning for this post appears to be in a foreign language. The commenter was not reflecting on HC's accent.

[@kellywoods5982]

It is hard for me to drum up much sympathy for any Tudor, certainly not Henry. Many people experience terrible hardships and don't do terrible things. Having said that, I think it would be very hard not to abuse that kind of power toward the people who abused her and her Mother.

[@perniciouspete4986]

I've never seen where the totals were pointed out, but I would like to know who had more people put to death during their reigns, Henry VIII or Bloody Mary.

[@AriaDavid]

I think we need to restyle her sobriquet from "Bloody Mary" to "Blessed Mary".

[@alisonridout]

Hi. Hope you're ok. Sad week this week with the anniversary of Anne Boleyn's death x

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I'm well thanks. I know, I debated doing a video on her execution, but I didn't want to stop my Tudor monarchs' series in mid-flow to do so, so I had to settle for an Instagram post. I might come back to the video idea in a few weeks though. Hope you're keeping well too.

[@paillette2010]

I always learn a lot but this really was amazing. Mary isn’t so popular as to place her in the popular vernacular of film, books, and other media since she isn’t as awful as he father or glorified as Elizabeth. Even Twain was more intrigued my Edward. I think she was so oppressed in such a particularly abusive manner that she lead in the way she was treated: brutally. Although she holds a land speed record for burning protestants, let’s mot forget the way protestants and catholics treated _any_ indigenous people they encountered in their money/land grab. She’s just an example of the age she lived in. Not everyone who sustained abuse (worse than hers) becomes a religious fanatic that is so nuts even the guy she’s defending tells her to knock it off. Food for thought. I think it’s fine to be sympathetic towards her craptastic life, but it’s hard to restore her to more than she was, a woman under tremendous pressure to “queen”, marry, birth an heir, and remain true to the one thing, I am guessing, gave her solace in her life.

[@C1tyground5155]

History is history,we should know about everything that happened no matter how gruesome,leaving these parts out is not telling us the full history

[@BeeKool__113]

I first learned about Mary I in a kids historical fiction book called Mary Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer. She wrote another one called Beware, Princess Elizabeth. She was sort of the Jean Plaidy of the children and young adult books. This sparked my interest in the Tudors and later the Wars of the Roses. I read as many books I could get my hands on the subjects as a kid and teen. I recall having the greatest of sympathies for Queen Mary. For so many of her life's trials. Of course the tragic events of her life doesn't excuse some of the atrocities committed under her rule. But what monarch's hands are totally clean? Especially in such times as these. If I am not mistaken more people were executed under her half sister, Queen Elizabeth's rule. And, by far more were sent to the gallows or block by their royal dear ol' Dad, King Henry VIII. If anyone deserves the title of bloody, it is him. This was the absolute best video series on Queen Mary I. Always so richly detailed and highly intriguing. I have learned so much. Each time I visit the channel I leave with more knowledge. I have a lot of admiration and sympathies for England's first true Queen in her own right. I feel she's absolutely controversial for a good reason. The name of "bloody" could be left on the doorstep on many rulers of the past. Great videos! 👍 💀🕯⛪️⚔️🏰🩸👑🩸🏰⚔️⛪️🕯💀

[@barnesbarnes3145]

Just like her mother Katherine ...strong in her faith no matter what...she couldn't except other beleaves ..

[@lillianmcgrew217]

History ❤

[@rita-pk6ut]

She seemed a very strong person, her life must have been under threat everyday from her father and especially her brother when he was King, again her life was under threat after her brothers death but she held her ground, her worst mistake was depending on Spain and the Pope, but she would have been a bag of nerves, i don't think she was bad, but made very bad decisions.

[@Robin-gv2he]

I am sorry that she suffered so much in her life. That said, many people suffer horrifically and they don’t become barbaric murderers. It was a tragic and terrible time for so many. I believe she deserves her reputation.

[@Rat_Queen86]

Few people have armies, riches and the ability she had to do so. Power is great at corrupting people.

[@francisduarte8120]

No she doesn’t deserve that reputation. Her father and sister Elizabeth killed many more people. If we gotta give her a name it should be Unlucky Mary. Not saying she should be excused, not at all, but the reputation and title is undeserved based on what her peers did during their time which was the same or worse than her. Calling Mary bloody, but not Elizabeth and Henry as well is hypocritical and biased.

[@dlight7599]

Took me half the video to realize you are saying the “the tower” not “the tar”.

[@kittymr.hedgehog7457]

I feel she was a product of her time, I feel all the abuse, heartache and oppression that was hoisted upon her was a major factor in having her psychopathic actions with the protestants.

[@wiezyczkowata]

I feel sorry for her for how she was treated but at the same time I can't excuse her behaviour by it, especially since her sister did not end up like her, they both went through hell but chose to live their lives differently

[@edithengel2284]

No two siblings, unless they are identical twins, react the same way to everything--and they were only half sisters, and 17 years apart in age. They grew up in entirely different circumstances, and they had very different mindsets. I would say Mary experienced far more humiliation than Elizabeth. The thing they chiefly had in common was the persecution of their mothers by their father. It's not really surprising that they ended up living very differently.

[@Greekhistoryyy]

Elizabeth executed so many and yet mary is named bloody mary!

[@HistoryCalling]

Good point. I'll touch on that in next week's video actually, when I look at how many Catholics Elizabeth executed. It's still less than Mary and spread over a longer time period, but that doesn't make it right of course, nor would it have been much comfort to those she had killed. As they say though, history is written by the winners.

[@ivenireland8270]

People tend to overlook the fact that most executions under Elizebeth were for treason. They plotted to overthrow or assassinate her. I don't recall anybody being burnt at thr stake on religious grounds. I may be wrong on that.

[@camijaque2291]

PROPAGANDA machine!

[@BiG-JuPO1O1]

@@ivenireland8270 Mary did the samething. Countless protestant rebellions tried over throw Queen Mary. Queen Mary had no choice to kill them. Queen Elizabeth killed people and her close relatives. She fear her relatives will take the throne from her as she gotten older. Before she died, she seen visions of all people she killed. Including Queen Mary of Scots. She felt regret for Queen Mary.

[@rachelmushumbusi4831]

Poor Mary

[@wattersi1968]

Should have been bloody henry.

[@BiG-JuPO1O1]

They will never be, since he protestant.

[@midnight_rose2337]

@@BiG-JuPO1O1 Henry wasn’t Protestant. Even after the break from Rome, he was still pretty much Catholic. His problem with the papacy was that he thought he should be answerable to none but God.

[@BiG-JuPO1O1]

@@midnight_rose2337 I know he still practiced the catholic religion. In history, he was seen as protestant.

[@lindahouston4549]

I think the abuses and cruelty she suffered did affect her. And many kings did as much and worse and weren't chastised as harshly as her. She did commit some terrible crimes, but I think she was a product of her parenting, and/or the lack thereof.

[@katerobins3137]

Mary is the best 💖