Mary Tudor - Wikimediacommons |
In November 1558 Mary Tudor died
at St James’ Palace at the age of 42. By the standards of today, that is a
horribly young age to die but Mary had suffered a hard life and was prematurely
aged, and very sick.
Everyone is guilty of something.
In most cases we are remembered for our good deeds, our happiest days, and our
kindest actions but Mary, as with her father, Henry VIII, is only remembered
for cruelty.
Personally, I think it would be
awful if at my funeral people only spoke of my sins and overlooked my goodness
(and there have been one or two occasions when I’ve been kind). The burning of
heretics sounds dreadful to us because we live in a (ahem) tolerant society but
in the 16th century burning was the standard punishment for heresy.
Mary didn’t dream up the idea for the satisfaction of her monstrous soul.
While I am in no way seeking to
excuse or white-wash her actions, I think she deserves a fuller picture. When
you take into account the tragic childhood, her adult disappointments, her
frustration then it is easier to understand her. There was much more to her
than cruelty.
There are many recorded instances
in which she was kind and generous, and I think she was terribly well-meaning.
She adored her subjects and envisioned leading her people to salvation but things
didn’t turn out as she intended. Her reign was far from benign.
While researching for The Heretic Wind I discovered Mary Tudor
to be a sad, isolated and desperate woman whose intention was to be a good and
loving Queen. The fact things turned out rather differently were mostly due to
exterior forces. Her conviction that the Catholic faith was the only faith is
difficult for us to understand but we don’t have to look very far to find other
religious zealots. It doesn’t begin or end with Mary.
In The
Heretic Wind, the mortally sick and embittered Mary looks back on her life and
explains to some extent, the reasons why events unfolded as they did.
Rest in Peace, Mary.
Short blurb of The Heretic Wind – Coming soon!
Adored by her parents and pampered by the court, the infant
Princess Mary’s life changes suddenly and drastically when her father’s eye is
taken by the enigmatic Anne Boleyn.
Mary stands firm against her father’s determination to
destroy both her mother’s reputation, and the Catholic church. It is a battle
that will last throughout both her father’s and her brother’s reign, until, she
is almost broken by persecution. When King Edward falls ill and dies Mary
expects to be crowned queen.
But she has reckoned without John Dudley, the Duke of
Northumberland, who before Mary can act, usurps her crown and places it on the
head of her Protestant cousin, Lady Jane Grey.
Furious and determined not to be beaten, Mary musters a vast
army at Framlingham Castle; a force so strong that Jane Grey’s supporters
crumble before a blow is struck, and Mary is at last crowned Queen of England.
But her troubles are only just beginning. Rebellion and
heresy take their toll both on Mary’s health, and on the English people.
Suspecting she is fatally ill, and desperate to save her people from heresy,
Mary steps up her campaign to compel her subjects to turn back to the Catholic
faith.
All who resist will face punishment for heresy in the flames
of the Smithfield fires.
The Heretic Wind will be available on Kindle and in Paperback.
Judith Arnopp is the author of
twelve Historical Fiction novels:
The Heretic Wind; the life of
Mary Tudor, Queen of England
Sisters
of Arden
The
Beaufort Chronicles: the life of Lady Margaret Beaufort (three book series)
A Song
of Sixpence: the story of Elizabeth of York
Intractable
Heart: the story of Katheryn Parr
The Kiss
of the Concubine: a story of Anne Boleyn
The
Winchester Goose: at the court of Henry VIII
The Song
of Heledd
The
Forest Dwellers
Peaceweaver
To discover more visit Judith’s website or author
page
author.to/juditharnoppbooks
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