As the only surviving child of Henry VIII and Katharine of Aragon, Mary was to face uncertainty and turmoil before fulfilling her birthright.
Birth and Childhood of Mary I
Following a number of stillbirths and miscarriages suffered by her mother, Mary was born on 18th February 1516. Despite popular belief, Henry was actually pleased with his new daughter, openly displaying his affection and showing her off to visiting dignitaries and ambassadors.
In 1525, Mary was given her own court at Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, and granted the title Princess of Wales in recognition of her status as heir to the throne (even now the title Prince of Wales is granted to the future Monarch of England). Unusually for the time, Mary was highly educated, learning Latin and Greek, speaking Spanish fluently (her mother, Katharine was a Spanish Infanta) and studying science and music. Mary was also a committed Catholic and practiced her faith devotedly.
Betrothals of Mary I
At the age of two, Mary was engaged to the Dauphin of France, but this engagement was broken within three years. After this, Henry negotiated an engagement between his daughter and his wife's nephew, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Despite Mary's youth, her cousin insisted upon her travelling to Spain immediately, bringing her large dowry. This request was refused and this betrothal also broken.
Displaying the unusual nature of betrothals at the time, in order to build an allegiance with France, it was suggested that Mary marry her former finance's father, King Francis I of France. A treaty was eventually signed agreeing that Mary would marry either Francis or his second son (her former fiancé’s brother). However, an alliance was formed without either marriage taking place.
The Annulment of Henry VIII and Katharine of Aragon
In around 1526, Henry began an affair with his wife's lady in waiting, Anne Boleyn, immediately seeking a way to annul his marriage to Mary's mother. Katharine refused and urged her daughter to hold firm to the belief that she was the rightful heir to the throne of England.
In 1533, Henry declared himself head of the Church of England and married Anne Boleyn, their marriage being declared valid by Thomas Cramner, the Archbishop of Canterbury . This effectively rendered Mary illegitimate and her mother was exiled from the Royal court. Despite this, Mary steadfastly refused to acknowledge her father as the head of the New Faith.
The Birth of Elizabeth I
In September 1533, Mary's half sister was born. Immediately after the child was christened, Henry wrote to his eldest daughter and demanded that she denounce her claim to the throne and recognise her half sister as the rightful heir. Having inherited her mother's determination, Mary refused.
Stripped of her title and forbidden from contacting her mother, Mary's health began to suffer, causing her headaches, nausea and an unpredictable menstrual cycle.
In December 1533, Mary was evicted from her residence and removed to Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, to become lady in waiting to the new Princess Elizabeth.
To read more about Mary, click here.
Sources:
Mary Tudor: England’s First Queen, Anna Whitelock, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; First Editon edition, May 2009
Bloody Mary: The Life of Mary Tudor, Carolly Erickson, Robson Books Ltd, Nov 2001
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