Alexander Samson, Mary and Philip: The marriage of Tudor England and Habsburg Spain (MUP, 2020)

The co-monarchy of Mary I and Philip II put England at the heart of early modern Europe.

This volume provides a positive reassessment of their reign, countering parochial, misogynist and anti-Catholic assumptions while seeking to correct the myths that surround Mary and Philips marriage and examining the reasons for the couples marginalisation in the historiography of Tudor England.

Using new archival discoveries and original sources, the book argues for Mary as a great Catholic queen and fleshes out Philips important contributions as king of England. It demonstrates the many positive achievements of this dynastic union in everything from culture, music and art to cartography, commerce and exploration. Mary and Philips negative reputation derives from a particular version of English identity and reflects the ongoing role of confessional differences in early modern English history.

The acceptability of Marys foreign marriage will continue to reflect the evolving relationship between Britain and Europe and its changing cultural politics. Moving from the commercial and strategic interests served by Anglo-Spanish alliances, the book analyses the negotiations and marriage contract, Marys government, the Act for the Queens Regal Power, the Wyatt rebellion, the co-monarchy, gynophobic polemic and more.

"Mary and Philip: The marriage of Tudor England and Habsburg Spain" (Dr Alexander Samson) out now

Alexander Samson discusses the resilience of people to disease through the ages

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