Mary Tudor as a ‘sole queen’? Gendering Tudor Monarchy
Judith M. Richards, ‘Mary Tudor as a ‘sole queen’? Gendering Tudor Monarchy’, Historical Journal, 40, 1997
Judith Richards evaluates the reign of the first English Queen, Mary Tudor. She deviates away from the popular historical focus of Bloody Mary, choosing to direct attention towards the problem of defining the authority of a female King. In doing so she covers issues such as; how a female was to survive in a male dominated world, aspects of Mary’s coronation and her marriage and relationship with Prince Philip of Spain.
Richards main argument is stated from the outset. She implies that Mary Tudor’s reign is important in its own right and should not be overlooked, as this particular reign gives us an ‘introduction for any wider study of the English female monarchy.’1 Although Elizabeth I’s reign is significant in terms of changing gender expectations, it is during her predecessor, Mary I’s reign, that a female queen embraced power and status that was perviously associated with a male monarch.
The coronation of Queen Mary I is a focal point within the article. Coronation ceremonies were of great importance. This particular coronation however symbolized a new era and regime under the authority of a female King. This momentous change can be seen in the ritual changes that were imposed and the differences between previous traditional Kings precessions and that of Mary’s. Concerning attire, there is uncertainty about what Mary Tudor actually wore during her coronation. Although all seem to agree that she was ‘marvelously attired’ 2 draped in white and gold with her hair loosely hung. Richards portrays the image that although Mary’s coronation remained that of tradition for a queen regent, it was different compared to anything that had ever been seen before.3
Richards stresses the difficulties Mary faced during her accession to the throne. She was very much a female in a male dominated world, and during this time, because of her gender, it was
Judith Richards evaluates the reign of the first English Queen, Mary Tudor. She deviates away from the popular historical focus of Bloody Mary, choosing to direct attention towards the problem of defining the authority of a female King. In doing so she covers issues such as; how a female was to survive in a male dominated world, aspects of Mary’s coronation and her marriage and relationship with Prince Philip of Spain.
Richards main argument is stated from the outset. She implies that Mary Tudor’s reign is important in its own right and should not be overlooked, as this particular reign gives us an ‘introduction for any wider study of the English female monarchy.’1 Although Elizabeth I’s reign is significant in terms of changing gender expectations, it is during her predecessor, Mary I’s reign, that a female queen embraced power and status that was perviously associated with a male monarch.
The coronation of Queen Mary I is a focal point within the article. Coronation ceremonies were of great importance. This particular coronation however symbolized a new era and regime under the authority of a female King. This momentous change can be seen in the ritual changes that were imposed and the differences between previous traditional Kings precessions and that of Mary’s. Concerning attire, there is uncertainty about what Mary Tudor actually wore during her coronation. Although all seem to agree that she was ‘marvelously attired’ 2 draped in white and gold with her hair loosely hung. Richards portrays the image that although Mary’s coronation remained that of tradition for a queen regent, it was different compared to anything that had ever been seen before.3
Richards stresses the difficulties Mary faced during her accession to the throne. She was very much a female in a male dominated world, and during this time, because of her gender, it was