Mary I: Between Bloodshed and Politics

This episode examines the reign of Mary, Queen of England, probing the evidence behind her reputation as ‘Bloody Mary’ while exploring how her political decisions, religious reforms, and international alliances shaped Tudor England. We weigh contemporary chronicles against later historiography, assess the extent of her persecutions, and consider what historians still disagree about her motives and legacy. By disentangling myth from documentation we see how Mary's actions influenced Parliament’s growing power and set the stage for Elizabeth I’s reforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices