The History of England

Mary was well aware that it was critical for her to establish her right and authority as equal to that of any king; and she consciously pursued that aim. Which did not stop people worrying about her choice of husband. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a quick survey of Series 6, the reigns of Elizabeth and Mary, we spend the epiosde considering Mary's historical reputation.After her brave and audacious rebellion, Mary became Queen in 1553. Historians have not been kind to Mary for many centuries. What have they been saying? What are they saying now?Series 6 covers the years of Mary and Elizabeth's reigns - 1554 to 1603266 to 379 are 14 episodes about Mary, her marriage to Philip II, her attempt to bring the counter reformation to England, with bloody resultsFrom 280 - 286 I indulge myself with 'history from the bottom up' - social, economic and cultural. Mary's reign sees the start of population growth which will put severe strain on English society. Elizabeth's reign is covered in 35 episodes up to episode 321, including al that good stuff; the controversy about her marriage, Exploration and Drake, The Spanish Armada. We also cover the highly significant conquest of Ireland in episodes 303.304. and 318We finish the series with 4 Episodes on Europe and the Thirty Years' War, to prepare for Series & - and the Stuarts! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Mary's victory, Jane Grey was imprisoned comfortably in the Tower, and spent her time studying - and had a reasonable expectation of long, if a little dull, life. Until in 1554 Thomas Wyatt and her father Henry Grey, raised rebellion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The game played out, the Mary entered London and the Duke was to die. But Northumberland had one more surprise to spring Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether Jane and Guildford understood the commotion in the city outside the Tower we do not know, but it was the duty of her father, the Duke of Suffolk, to break the news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Around the 14th July a ship called the Greyhound sailed into Orwell Haven. Its captain was in gaol in Lowestoft, its crew had smashed open the cash box. Meeting with Sir Henry Jermingham may well have changed the course of history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Northumberland made good speed towards East Anglia and Mary, and his army swelled with troops and artillery. But in London, the mood was ugly, and Mary was having some success too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mary's letter of 10th July brought home an uncomfortable truth that Northumberland had expected to avoid - that Jane must fight for her crown. If an army could be found Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mary had a decision to make - submit, fight or flee. She took the decision with her household - and they raised the rafters with their cheers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the morning of 9th July 1553 the 16 year old Jane was walking in the Grey manor at Chelsea in blissful ignorance. Then the Duke of Northumberland's daughter, Mary Sidney, came to call Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.