Was Mary I a Bloody Queen

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Was Mary I a Bloody Queen?
In 1553 Edward VI died and his eldest half
sister, Mary became Queen. Like her mother,
Catherine of Aragon, Mary was a Catholic. Mary
skilfully negotiated with the Pope so that the
new owners of the Church lands kept it, as she
needed their support. However Catholic worship
was restored. Some English people were happy but
many Protestants were not. Mary wanted these
people to admit that they were wrong. However, a
significant number refused and were burned at the
stake, including Archbishop Thomas Cranmer in
1556. On the whole Marys religious policy was
not popular. Here are two views from different
families living under Marys rule.
Well, what a change! Times are good for Catholics
again thanks to our blessed Queen Mary. In the
past five years our lands have prospered and we
live well. My wife and I are fortunate to now
have seven healthy children living. We have
restored our family chapel and now hear Mass
without fear.
Alas, things have not gone well for us. My wife
died of a fever, a sad loss. Now that Queen Mary
is on the throne we have to keep our religious
beliefs quiet. However, we will not lose our
lands that once belonged to the Newburgh Priory,
so that is a great relief. I just hope that the
rumours that the Queen is pregnant are false. Our
hope lies in her sister, Elizabeth, who believes
in the Protestant Church and who might yet become
Queen.
Lacey, 1556
This table shows the number and frequency of
people being executed for heresy during the
reigns of the five Tudor monarchs
TASK Read carefully through the information on
this sheet. Using the this information and your
own knowledge on Mary I answer the question
below. Q) What different answers do you think the
Laceys and the Burnets would have given to the
question, does Mary deserve the nickname
Bloody. Give reasons for your answer. Complete
this task in your exercise book
Burnet, 1556
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