Chapter Text
Mary Tudor, daughter of Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII, knew deep down that she would one day become Queen, but she not assumed it would happen so soon. Her dear mother had experienced four losses before giving birth to her, and two years after her appearance she suffered another premature birth, ending any hope of a male heir. Her father was disappointed and, according to those close to him, intended to annul his marriage to Catherine and marry the lady Anne Boleyn, but even if it was true, this did not happen, because during one of the jousting tournaments in May 1526, the king was seriously wounded and died a few hours later at Greenwich Palace. His death shocked everyone in the country, especially his advisers, who took it upon themselves to organize a regency council for his daughter. Although the people adored the princess, they were not happy with a girl ascending the throne, fearing a repeat of the Empress Matilda story, but since the king's bastard, Henry Fritzroy, had died two years earlier, there were no other alternatives.
On October 15th, Mary was crowned Queen at Westminster Abbey in a lavish but small ceremony. The Dowager Queen Catherine sat at the front and watched with tears in her eyes as her daughter sat on the throne and took the scepter and orb. It was hard on her that Mary had to take up the rule of England so early instead of enjoying her childhood. But she was also proud that she would be the ruler of her country like her grandmother Isabel I of Castile.
After the coronation, Catherine and the regents began looking for a husband for her. The first proposal was for Mary to marry an English nobleman, but it was quickly rejected as most didn't want an Englishman to rise to such a high position and others to resent and rebel. The second proposal was for her to marry her cousin, James V of Scotland, and for them to unite the two kingdoms, but James refused the marriage, as he wanted to keep the old alliance with France and marry one of the daughters of Fransoa I. Finally, Catherine directed the counselors to Duarte of Portugal, the sixth son of her late sister, Maria of Aragon. The Infante was a year older than Mary, and given the five brothers before him, he had no chance of becoming king and the country meddling in England's politics, so the men agreed to negotiate with his brother João III.
On November 6, 1527, the Anglo-Portuguese union was concluded. Due to the minors of both, Duarte didn't come to England until the spring of 1530, when he and Mary were married on 23 May. The marriage was consummated after the Queen's 15th birthday. After the wedding, her husband becomes Prince Consort.
Mary and Duarte (called by the English version of his name Edward) take a quick liking to each other and take great pleasure in fulfilling their duties. On their first wedding anniversary, Mary announced that she was pregnant and the court fervently prayed that the royal couple would have a healthy child. Their wish comes true shortly before Christmas, when the Queen gave birth to a son who was named Henry after his father and grandfather. All over England bells are rung and bonfires are lit to let everyone know that the Tudors have an heir. Catherine was delighted with her grandson and spends as much time with him as possible, while his parents tour their estates and run the country. The Dowager Queen welcomed two more grandchildren before she died on 7th January 1536 at the age of 50. Mary was devastated by the loss of her mother, but with the support of Duarte and the care of her children and the people, she gradually recovered.
Reigning peacefully for 41 years, Mary I died on 17 November 1567 at the age of 51. Duarte took her death hard and at the beginning of the new year he died and was buried next to her in Westminster Abbey. Their son Henry IX continued his mother's politics with his lovely wife Maria of Austria.
Mary I Tudor (1516-1567)
m. 23 May 1530 for
Duarte of Portugal (1515-1568)
1. Henry IX b. December 1531
2. John, Duke of York b. September 1533
3. Katherine b. February 1535
4. Arthur, Duke of Somerset b. July 1538
5. Miscarriage (1540)
6. Mary b. April 1542