English Monarch. The only surviving child of King Henry VIII and his first queen, Katherine of Aragon. In childhood, Mary was viewed as her father's heir, pampered, well-educated, and adored by Henry. When Henry became determined to divorce Katherine, Mary, who was very close to her mother, also fell out of favor. Shortly after the divorce, mother and daughter were separated, and Mary was subject to harsh treatment, rumors, and the ever-changing whims of her father. She was forced to sign a formal submission in 1536, begging the pardon of the king and renouncing the faith of Rome. During her father's sixth marriage to Catherine Parr, Mary was brought back to court and was named in her father's will in the line of succession. During her half-brother Edward's short reign, Mary lived well in comfortable "retirement." She acceded in 1553, and was crowned on October 1. On July 25, 1554, she married Prince Philip of Spain. She was infatuated with him, but the feelings were not reciprocated. Mary immediately began an effort to restore the Catholic faith in England, and reenacted the medieval heresy laws. Protestant heretics were arrested and burned, earning her the name "Bloody Mary." Mary suffered at least three "phantom pregnancies," but it is certain she was never actually pregnant. It is thought now that she suffered from ovarian or uteran cancer, which prevented pregnancy and resulted in pregnancy-like symptoms. In her later years, Mary was increasingly ill, depressed, and very paranoid. Her health quickly deteriorated, and she fell in and out of consciousness. She died at St. James Palace, lonely, despised by her husband, and resented by her people.

English Monarch. The only surviving child of King Henry VIII and his first queen, Katherine of Aragon. In childhood, Mary was viewed as her father's heir, pampered, well-educated, and adored by Henry. When Henry became determined to divorce Katherine, Mary, who was very close to her mother, also fell out of favor. Shortly after the divorce, mother and daughter were separated, and Mary was subject to harsh treatment, rumors, and the ever-changing whims of her father. She was forced to sign a formal submission in 1536, begging the pardon of the king and renouncing the faith of Rome. During her father's sixth marriage to Catherine Parr, Mary was brought back to court and was named in her father's will in the line of succession. During her half-brother Edward's short reign, Mary lived well in comfortable "retirement." She acceded in 1553, and was crowned on October 1. On July 25, 1554, she married Prince Philip of Spain. She was infatuated with him, but the feelings were not reciprocated. Mary immediately began an effort to restore the Catholic faith in England, and reenacted the medieval heresy laws. Protestant heretics were arrested and burned, earning her the name "Bloody Mary." Mary suffered at least three "phantom pregnancies," but it is certain she was never actually pregnant. It is thought now that she suffered from ovarian or uteran cancer, which prevented pregnancy and resulted in pregnancy-like symptoms. In her later years, Mary was increasingly ill, depressed, and very paranoid. Her health quickly deteriorated, and she fell in and out of consciousness. She died at St. James Palace, lonely, despised by her husband, and resented by her people.

Bio by: Kristen Conrad