Queen Mary I of England is often remembered by a chilling nickname, Bloody Mary. But what led to such a title?
Mary was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. She ruled England from 1553 until her death in 1558. Her reign was marked by her effort to restore Roman Catholicism after years of Protestant reform.
Mary was a devout Catholic and believed it was her divine duty to return England to the Catholic Church. To achieve this, she launched a harsh campaign against Protestants. Her government revived old heresy laws and began prosecuting those who rejected Catholic beliefs.
During her reign, over 280 Protestants were burned at the stake. These public executions shocked the nation and were widely reported. Many of those executed were ordinary citizens, including women and the elderly. This widespread persecution turned public opinion against her.
Protestant writers later used these events to create a lasting image of Mary as a cruel queen. The nickname “Bloody Mary” was born and spread through books and pamphlets. It became a powerful symbol of religious intolerance and tyranny.
Despite her deep faith, her actions left a dark mark on her legacy. Today, Bloody Mary is remembered as one of England’s most feared monarchs.
Her story remains a warning about the dangers of mixing politics and religion. The nickname she earned still echoes in history books and classrooms around the world.
Source : smithsonianmag
