Mary Tudor was the daughter of Henry VIII and his wife Katherine of Aragon. She was born in 1516 and was their only surviving child. After many years of trying for more Katherine recognized that she was unable to have more children. This was about the time when Henry grew restless and brought Anne Boleyn into the life of his daughter and devoted wife. Mary’s life would never be the same.
She went from being her father’s “Pearl of the Realm” and his Princess Mary, to being declared illegitimate and losing the love and affection from her father. Her life was indeed sad and unfortunately it was that way until the very end.
These portraits are in no particular order.
Provenance: By descent through the family of the Earl Carlisle, M.C., Naworth Castle, Cumbria
attributed to Lucas Horenbout (or Hornebolte) watercolour on vellum, circa 1525 NPG 6453
by Master John oil on panel, 1544 On display in Room 2 at the National Portrait Gallery NPG 428
by Hans Eworth oil on panel, 1554 NPG 4861
after Anthonis Mor (Antonio Moro) oil on panel, 1555 NPG 4174
Mor, Antonis; Queen Mary I (1516-1558); Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/queen-mary-i-15161558-11425after Unknown artist plaster cast of a medal, (16th century) NPG D36118after Jacopo da Trezzo gilt electrotype of medal, (circa 1555) NPG 446(1)
Hans Eworth (circa 1520–1574?) – Dickinson Gallery, London and New York
after Unknown artist line engraving, 1554 or after NPG D17821antonis-mor-van-dashorst-portrait-of-queen-mary-i-(1516-1558)by Franz Huys, after Unknown artist, line engraving, circa 1555Portrait of Mary I of England, signed “HF 1554” (originally “HE”), Society of Antiquaries of London LDSAL 336, oil on oak panel, 1040 x 785mm (41 x 31 inches)by Francis Delaram, published by Compton Holland, engraving, circa 1600-1627
after Hans Holbein the Younger line engraving, circa 1700 NPG D17826
Antonis Mor – Museo del Prado Catalog no. P02108 [2]Antonis Mor (1512–1516–c.1576) (after) Trinity College, University of Cambridge
after Unknown artist mezzotint, 18th century NPG D17823
by Unknown artist oil on panel, 1597-1618 On display in Room 1 at the National Portrait Gallery NPG 4980(16)
by Bart Vazquez, after Anthonis Mor (Antonio Moro) stipple engraving, 1793 NPG D20392
by Francesco Bartolozzi, after Hans Holbein the Younger stipple engraving, published 1796 NPG D24878
by Émile Desmaisons, printed by François Le Villain, published by Edward Bull, published by Edward Churton, after Unknown artist; hand-coloured lithograph, 1834; NPG D34627
While reading this confession by Mary, one can’t help but imagine how difficult it was for her to write this to her father, King Henry VIII — there must have been a level of unknown fear for her to acknowledge the King as the Head of the Church of England when she so wholeheartedly wished to continue to follow Rome. She is also acknowledging the annulment of her parents, which in turn denies her the title of Princess.
This letter is something that Mary always regretted writing because it went against her conscience. However, it may have been advantageous for Mary when the King married Jane Seymour and Jane worked hard to reinstate Mary as Princess.
Lady Mary’s Letter to Henry VIII
Written: 22 June 1536
The confession of me, Lady Mary, made upon certain points and articles written below; in which I do now plainly and with all my heart confess and declare my inward sentence, belief and judgement, with due conformity of obedience to the laws of the realm; so, minding for ever to persist and continue in this determination without change, alteration or variance, I do most humbly beseech the king’s highness, my father, whom I have obstinately and disobediently offended in the denial of the same up to now, to forgive my offences therein, and to take me to his most gracious mercy.
First I confess and acknowledge the king’s majesty to be my sovereign lord and king, in the imperial crown of this realm of England; and do submit myself to his highness and to each and every law and statute of this realm, as it becomes a true and faithful subject to do; which I shall also obey, keep, observe, advance and maintain according to my bounden duty with all the power, force and qualities with which God had endued me, during my life.
I do recognize, accept, take, repute and acknowledge the king’s highness to be supreme head on earth, under Christ, of the church of England; and do utterly refuse the bishop of Rome’s pretended authority, power and jurisdiction within this realm, formerly usurped, according to the laws and statutes made on that behalf, and by all the king’s true subjects humbly received, admitted, obeyed, kept and observed.
And I do also utterly renounce and forsake all manner of remedy, interest and advantage which I may by any means claim by the bishop of Rome’s laws, processes, jurisdiction or sentence, at this time or in any way hereafter, by any manner of title, colour, means or cause that is, shall or can be devised for that purpose.
I do freely, frankly and for the discharge of my duty towards God, the king’s highness and his laws, without other respect, recognize and acknowledge that the marriage formerly had between his majesty and my mother, the late princess dowager, was by God’s law and man’s law incestuous and unlawful.
Your Grace’s most humble and obedient daughter and handmaid, Mary.
