3rd July 1557

Mary I bids farewell to her husband, Philip of Spain, as he sets off for war with France

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Soon after Mary’s coronation in 1553, Mary was urged to consider marriage to the Holy Roman Emperor's son, Prince Philip of Spain.

At first, Mary didn't want to consider it, arguing that she was too old at 37, and he only 26.

Secretly, Mary had always wished for a husband and family.

Philip was her second cousin and kin to her beloved mother, and Mary began to warm to the idea.

Mary agreed and looked forward to seeing her future husband in person.

Philip arrived in England in July, 1554.

Mary was delighted in her new husband.

He was small, slender with blue eyes and a fair complexion with sandy hair and beard.

Mary was in love.......

What Philip thought of his bride he made clear to his closest advisors.

She was older than he was told, dressed badly, and had no eyebrows.

He would never love his wife, the way she loved him.

They were married in Winchester Cathedral on 25th July 1554.

After their honeymoon Mary was back at work ruling her country.

She rose at dawn, and worked till well past midnight.

They saw each other only for meals or in the evenings when she would play the lute or virginals for him.

Philip was getting bored with his wife.

He wanted an equal partnership out of this marriage, and he did not get it.

Philips real goal, was to bring England under the Hapsburgs, a country to be used by the Emperor.

Mary was made of strong stuff, as much as she loved her husband, she only complied with Philip’s wishes, when they agreed with her own.

By November Mary believed herself to be pregnant.

She was overjoyed and during the next months went through the preparations for the Catholic heir she had dreamed of.

In April of 1555 the couple moved to Hampton Court, in order for Mary to retire to her chamber and await the birth.....

The days continued into May, with still no sign of a child.

Beside the swelling of her stomach, Mary had no other usual signs of pregnancy.

By 21st May, her stomach had greatly receded, and now Mary had her doubts.

By August the charade was over, everyone realized that there was not to be a child.

Mary returned to her usual routine, unhappy and humiliated.

In 1555 Emperor Charles V abdicated and divided his lands. Philip would now be King of the Netherlands.

Philip departed from England on 29th August, and Mary watched tearfully as he waved from the ship to her.

She wrote to him every night asking for his return.

Philip, however, was enjoying his time in the Netherlands going to masques and balls every night.

By November Philip was demanding that Mary order the preparations for his coronation.

He wanted to share the government with her as King.

Mary told him a coronation was a very remote possibility.

But she missed Philip.

By May she demanded Philip return to England by 30th June 30, otherwise she would not consider him a trustworthy king.

The portrait of Philip that hung in the Council chamber irritated her and she ordered it removed.

She heard rumors of his infidelities, and tried to continue to keep a brave face.

On 18th February 1556, Mary turned 40.

She was aware that she held little attraction for her husband, and was feeling her age.

She turned her energies to helping the poor.

She would dress up as a simple woman and go to different cottages on her estates, to hand out money or promised apprenticeships to children of large households.

Philip returned in March 1557, but he would soon set sail again.

On the 3rd July 1557, Mary accompanied Philip to Dover, as he set sail, for war with France.

She would never see him again....

Mary, mistaken in yet another pregnancy, fell into a deep depression, and would not leave her room.

All the hopes of her life were unfulfilled, she was sad, childless, lonely and unloved.

By 14th November, Mary was near the end.

She was fading in and out of consciousness and awoke to find her ladies weeping.

She told them not to fret, because she had dreams of many little children, like angles, playing before her, singing and giving her comfort.

On 17th November 1558, Mary knew her time had come, and ordered mass to be celebrated in her room.

At the end of the service her ladies thought she had fallen asleep, but she had died peacefully, lonely to the last.

She was 42 years old.

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https://marytudor.net/philip-mary/

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https://ko-fi.com/thetudorintruders

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Mary I of England and Philip II of Spain, traditionally ascribed to Lucas de Heere.

Photo credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London