Disputed succession

This simplified family tree shows the relationship between Mary and Lady Jane Grey both of whom were descended from Henry VII.

Henry, VII, King of England 1485-1509

Elizabeth, of York

HENRY, VIII, King of England 1509-1547

Catherine, of Aragon

Mary, Daughter of Henry VII

Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk

Mary, I, Queen of England 1553-1558, Bloody Mary

Frances, Lady

Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk

Jane Grey, Lady

Edward VI was too young to rule unaided and his help came from John Dudley, the Duke of Northumberland. Just before he died Edward signed a change to his will preventing Mary and Elizabeth from becoming Queen and nominating Lady Jane Grey instead. Lady Jane Grey was the granddaughter of Mary, a sister of Henry VIII. Jane had also recently married Northumberland's son Guilford. Edward VI died on July 6 of 1553 and several days later Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen. Mary was aware of the crisis and had travelled to Kenninghall Manor in Norfolk where she called for support. Large numbers of people backed Mary's claim to the throne. The Duke of Northumberland took a small army from London to deal with Mary but at Cambridge the Duke realised his army was not a match for the huge support that Mary had raised. The Duke accepted defeat and was sent to the Tower of London. On August 3, 1553 Mary entered London by Aldgate to a huge welcome from the citizens on the city. There to meet her were her half-sister Elizabeth and Anne of Cleves.

Becomes Queen

Mary became Queen of England on July 19th 1553 and was crowned at Westminster Abbey on October 3rd.

Opposition to marrige with Spain

The question as to who Mary should marry was answered when she chose Philip (II) of Spain, the son of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Many in England opposed the idea of such a close link to Spain and believed that Philip would take control of England and involve the country in his conflicts in Europe. Several rebellions were planned around the country. In Wales a group was led by Sir James Croft. In Devon another group was led by Sir Peter Carew. The Duke of Suffolk was in Leicestershire, but it was only Sir Thomas Wyatt from Kent who managed, early in 1554, to get a force together when the plots were uncovered. Wyatt led his men to London but was refused entrance to the city. His men were attacked and many of his supporters were killed. Wyatt was captured, held in the Tower and then executed. Elizabeth was also caught up in the trouble as it was first assumed that she had some part to play in the rebellion but this turned out not to be the case. Philip arrived in England in July 1554 and on the 25th of the same month he and Mary were married at Winchester Cathedral.

Previous monarch: Edward VI

• J. D. Mackie,The Earlier Tudors,
• John Grey,Tudor England,