Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
The co-monarchy of Mary I and Philip II put England at the heart of early modern Europe. This positive reassessment of their joint reign counters a series of parochial, misogynist and anti-Catholic assumptions, correcting the many myths that have grown up around the marriage and explaining the reasons for its persistent marginalisation in the historiography of sixteenth-century England. Using new archival discoveries and original sources, the book argues for Mary as a great Catholic queen, while fleshing out Philip's important contributions as king of England. It demonstrates the many positive achievements of this dynastic union in everything from culture, music and art to cartography, commerce and exploration. An important corrective for anyone interested in the history of Tudor England and Habsburg Spain.
Synopsis
Mary I, eldest daughter of Henry VIII, was Queen of England from 1553 until her death in 1558. For much of this time she ruled alongside her husband, King Philip II of Spain, forming a co-monarchy that put England at the heart of early modern Europe. In this book, Alexander Samson presents a bold reassessment of Mary and Philip's reign, rescuing them from the neglect they have suffered at the hands of generations of historians. As a Roman Catholic, Mary was determined to reverse the English Reformation set in motion by her father, but she faced strong opposition from a Protestant parliament. Caricatured as 'Bloody Mary' for her campaign against religious dissenters, she and her husband were the subjects of polemics and compromising rumours, often anti-Catholic or misogynistic in character. Using new archival discoveries to dispel the myths that have formed around this dynastic union, Samson argues that Mary was in fact a great Catholic queen, and that she and Philip had significant achievements in everything from culture, music and art to cartography, commerce and exploration. He concludes that their negative reputation is the result of a narrow version of English identity and reflects the persistent influence of confessional differences in the writing of history.
Synopsis
This book presents a new interpretation of the co-monarchy of Mary I and Philip II. It reclaims Mary as a great Catholic queen and fleshes out Philip's contributions as king, exposing the sectarian historiography that has cast their reign in a negative light. An important corrective for the history of Tudor England and Habsburg Spain.