How long was Mary Queen of England? This question often arises when discussing the reign of Mary I, also known as Mary Tudor. To understand the duration of her reign, we must delve into the historical context of her ascension to the throne and the events that marked the end of her rule.
Mary I became queen of England on November 17, 1553, following the death of her half-sister, Queen Elizabeth I. Her reign was characterized by religious conflicts and the infamous burning of Protestants, which earned her the nickname “Bloody Mary.” The question of how long she ruled, however, is a bit more complex, as her reign was not a continuous period.
Upon ascending to the throne, Mary faced several challenges. First, she had to deal with the aftermath of the Wyatt’s Rebellion, which occurred in 1554. This rebellion was a Protestant uprising against her Catholic policies. In response, Mary executed many Protestants, including Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Hugh Latimer, the Bishop of Worcester.
Despite these conflicts, Mary’s reign officially lasted from 1553 to 1558. However, her actual time in power was shorter due to the Wyatt’s Rebellion and her ill health. In 1554, she contracted smallpox, which left her weakened and unable to govern effectively. During her illness, her half-sister, Elizabeth, was declared her heir, effectively placing Elizabeth in line for the throne.
Mary’s health never fully recovered, and she died on November 17, 1558, exactly five years after she ascended to the throne. Her reign, therefore, lasted for approximately 4 years and 3 months. During this time, Mary’s policies and actions had a lasting impact on the religious and political landscape of England, setting the stage for the future conflicts between Catholics and Protestants.
