Mary I: Gender, Politics and Government
Mary was 37 when she came to the throne. During Edward’s reign, she had resisted
Protestant reform, as she had during Henry VIII’s reign. Whilst Somerset was in power, she
had been allowed to follow her Catholic religion in private so she had remained on good
terms with her brother and Protector Somerset. However, during Northumberland’s
government, there was a swing towards Calvinism which meant there was increasing
pressure on Mary to abandon Catholicism and follow the new doctrines of the Church of
England. During this period, Mary had support from her Hapsburg cousin, Charles V. One of
the reasons why stronger action wasn’t taken against Mary was because of Charles’ support,
since they were concerned about upsetting him. Advice was also taken from Simon Renard,
the Imperial ambassador. Mary mistrusted her English councillors so, when she became
queen, Renard gave her the most advice and decided policy with her.
When Mary proclaimed herself queen, both Charles and Renard thought it was a futile
gesture so they were quite surprised when she entered London and she received
enthusiastic support for her reign. One of the first things she did was release the political
prisoners in the Tower, including the Duke of Norfolk and Stephen Gardiner (who were the
leading figures in the Conservative faction during the end of Henry VIII’s reign and had been
imprisoned during Edward’s reign). On the advice of Charles, Mary showed some leniency
towards her opponents. She executed Northumberland but William Cecil was only
imprisoned and William Paget served on her council, despite having been part of
Northumberland’s council.
Stephen Gardiner:
Educated in Canon and Civil Law
Was secretary to Wolsey in 1524
Supported the annulment and royal supremacy but not the religious changes proposed
by Cromwell
His opposition to Cromwell led to his fall from favour
This fall was only temporary, since he led the Conservative faction at the end of Henry
VIII’s reign
Imprisoned under Edward and stripped of his bishopric
Restored to his offices and titles by Mary, who appointed him Lord Chancellor
In spite of his strong beliefs, he tried to save Cranmer and Northumberland from
execution
He led the Catholic Counter-Reformation and promoted conservative legislation
Gender
“For who can deny that it [a woman ruler] is repugnant to nature” Knox, 1558
“Mary was a trailblazer… establishing precedents for female rule” Whitelock, 2014
Henry VIII had struggled with the idea of a female ruler, which is why he tried so hard to
make sure he had a male heir. Edward had also tried to avoid leaving the throne to a female
until he had no other choice.
Mary was 37 when she came to the throne. During Edward’s reign, she had resisted
Protestant reform, as she had during Henry VIII’s reign. Whilst Somerset was in power, she
had been allowed to follow her Catholic religion in private so she had remained on good
terms with her brother and Protector Somerset. However, during Northumberland’s
government, there was a swing towards Calvinism which meant there was increasing
pressure on Mary to abandon Catholicism and follow the new doctrines of the Church of
England. During this period, Mary had support from her Hapsburg cousin, Charles V. One of
the reasons why stronger action wasn’t taken against Mary was because of Charles’ support,
since they were concerned about upsetting him. Advice was also taken from Simon Renard,
the Imperial ambassador. Mary mistrusted her English councillors so, when she became
queen, Renard gave her the most advice and decided policy with her.
When Mary proclaimed herself queen, both Charles and Renard thought it was a futile
gesture so they were quite surprised when she entered London and she received
enthusiastic support for her reign. One of the first things she did was release the political
prisoners in the Tower, including the Duke of Norfolk and Stephen Gardiner (who were the
leading figures in the Conservative faction during the end of Henry VIII’s reign and had been
imprisoned during Edward’s reign). On the advice of Charles, Mary showed some leniency
towards her opponents. She executed Northumberland but William Cecil was only
imprisoned and William Paget served on her council, despite having been part of
Northumberland’s council.
Stephen Gardiner:
Educated in Canon and Civil Law
Was secretary to Wolsey in 1524
Supported the annulment and royal supremacy but not the religious changes proposed
by Cromwell
His opposition to Cromwell led to his fall from favour
This fall was only temporary, since he led the Conservative faction at the end of Henry
VIII’s reign
Imprisoned under Edward and stripped of his bishopric
Restored to his offices and titles by Mary, who appointed him Lord Chancellor
In spite of his strong beliefs, he tried to save Cranmer and Northumberland from
execution
He led the Catholic Counter-Reformation and promoted conservative legislation
Gender
“For who can deny that it [a woman ruler] is repugnant to nature” Knox, 1558
“Mary was a trailblazer… establishing precedents for female rule” Whitelock, 2014
Henry VIII had struggled with the idea of a female ruler, which is why he tried so hard to
make sure he had a male heir. Edward had also tried to avoid leaving the throne to a female
until he had no other choice.
