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Explore the reign of Mary I of England, the first queen regnant, who faced the Mid-Tudor Crisis and sought to reverse Protestant reforms. Her marriage to Philip II and the loss of Calais marked her tenure, as did her failure to produce an heir. Despite her controversial legacy, she paved the way for future female monarchs.
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Mary's legitimacy as queen was initially challenged due to her half-brother's attempt to alter the line of succession
Mary successfully deposed Lady Jane Grey, who had been queen for just over a week
Mary's reign took place during a period of governance challenges, economic strife, and religious discord in England
Mary sought to reverse the Protestant reforms of her predecessors and restore Catholicism in England
Initially, Mary allowed the practice of Catholicism without enforcing it upon her subjects
As her reign progressed, Mary took more drastic measures to restore Catholicism, including the burning of over 280 Protestant heretics
The Wyatt Rebellion, driven by xenophobic fears and opposition to Mary's proposed marriage to Philip II of Spain, was a major challenge to her rule
Mary's marriage to Philip II of Spain was a strategic alliance, but her failure to produce an heir and Philip's departure for military campaigns weakened her position and left the succession in question
Mary's marriage to Philip II heavily influenced her foreign policy, leading to England's involvement in Habsburg-Valois conflicts and the loss of Calais in 1558
Mary faced economic challenges such as inflation and poor harvests, which she addressed through reforms such as revaluation of the coinage and introduction of a new Book of Rates
Mary's economic reforms aimed to stabilize the economy and provided a foundation for the financial policies of subsequent Tudor monarchs
Mary's death without a direct heir led to the accession of her Protestant half-sister, Elizabeth I, and her reign is remembered for her role as England's first queen regnant and her efforts to restore Catholicism
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Mary I's reign duration
Ruled from July 1553 to November 1558
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Monarch before Mary I
Half-brother Edward VI
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Monarch after Mary I
Half-sister Elizabeth I
