In England during the 1500s, there had been only male monarchs and the females were only given the title of being Queen through marriage. However, in 1135 when Henry I had died, a female had the first chance to become Queen. Matilda, the daughter of King Henry I was going to be Queen of England, “not in the conventional sense of a king’s wife, but in the unprecedented form of a female king” (Castor, 2010). However, Matilda lost the crown of England to King Henry I’s nephew Stephen because he was crowned King (Castor, 2010). During this time, it was not considered the norm for females to be able to lead an army into conflict, and thus the society did not know how females would be able to rule a nation (Castor, 2010). Once again, this was just…
Another key element to what Mary Thorp views as British is the adherence to one’s responsibility and duty. One of the best examples of this from the book can be seen in Thorp’s diary entry on March 6th 1917 where she states, “If I were in England, how glad I should be to volunteer for the civil service, in such great need just now; still I feel I did my duty in remaining at my post & trying to make good men of the three boys” (100). This quote is interesting as it examines two aspects of duty…
The story of The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory vividly brought to life the ideas, characters, and fears of the 1550s that resulted from the fierce rivalry between King Henry III’s daughters, Elizabeth and Mary Tudor. It followed both women through the eyes of the psychic “holy fool”, Hannah “Green”, as they battled over the English throne. The aging, unappealing Mary Tudor was nearly the exact reverse of her youthful and lively younger sister. While Mary sought to stomp out all Protestants…
“Mary, Mary quite Contrary…..” or “Bloody Mary Bloody Mary…..” something we’ve all heard of at a party or a sleepover, but who is Bloody Mary…..or was???? There are different types of legends leading to the legend of Bloody Mary. Some say she was a queen who killed those who were not Catholic. But what is the true story? Was she a queen or not? Was she a witch, a spirit? Or is Bloody Mary just another urban legend to tell in the dark? According to BBC, Queen Mary killed many Protestants…
“I have no desire to make windows into men’s souls” – the famous words Elizabeth I told her subjects when she came to the throne in 1558. She was referring to the religious reforms and that she had no desire to interpret either Protestantism or Catholicism so closely to cause tensions or rebellions, like so many that had occurred during the reigns of her predecessors. Despite this, some would disagree and say it was the tough social, political or economic climate at the time that led to these…
The era between the death of Henry VIII and the excommunication of Elizabeth by the papacy was one consumed by the debate of what the Church of England should looks like. Edward VI was a Protestant,and he made strides to define the Church of England as a Protestant church, instead of leaving the church as mostly Catholic in practice like his father had. Mary I, on the other hand, tried to revert England back to Catholicism. And finally, Elizabeth I started her reign by being diplomatic, careful…
Introduction Arguably the most infamous monarch in British history, Henry VIII impacted the world and changed England through his marriages. However, the six women themselves are far more than just the ill-fated wives of a monarch desperate for a male heir. These six women are from different backgrounds; from a Princess of Spain to a daughter of an English noble. Something all six women have in common is their marriage to Henry VIII. Henry VIII was the second king of the Tudor Dynasty of…
Dara Shikoh, son of famous Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, lived up to the expectations of a great ruler until his downfall in 1659. Known for his intellectual ideas, peaceful pursuits, and political power, Dara Shikoh was expected to take the next role as a leader of the Mughal Empire after his father. Without a doubt, Shah Jahan favored his eldest son, so Dara was given the opportunities needed in order to be next in line. However, Dara’s life would be cut short after contending for the royal…
The French Queen 's Letters: Mary Tudor Brandon and the Politics of Marriage in Sixteenth-Century Europe The French Queen 's Letters: Mary Tudor Brandon and the Politics of Marriage in Sixteenth-Century Europe written by Erin A. Sadlack “attempts to broaden the understanding of women’s paths to power in the sixteenth century.” Sadlack’s a credibility stems from her PhD in Medieval and British Literature. She is a professor at the University of Maryland where she teaches courses in Medieval and…
the Spanish princess Catherine, his brother’s widow, as the pair find themselves unable to produce a male heir. When Sir Thomas More rises to the title of Lord Chancellor of England, the King approaches him, hoping to convince More to support the divorce. More did not approve of the marriage from the start, as it went against the Bible and forced the Pope to issue a dispensation to allow the nuptials. Years pass and Henry creates a new church, the Church of England, and marries his former…