If your childhood was anything like mine, you may have had the joyous experience of the Bloody Mary ritual wherein you turn off the lights in the bathroom, close the door, look in the mirror and say “Bloody Mary” three times. This fun little series of events supposedly summons the spirit of Mary I of England, who is known as the first ever Queen of England in her own right, but is also responsible for the murder of hundreds of protestants. Talk about a girlboss.

Mary was born February 18th, 1516 in Greenwich, England to two loving parents: Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Now, I use the term loving loosely, because they weren’t loving at all. Her father, who I’m sure you’ve heard of thanks to his proclivity for beheading his wives, was disappointed that Mary was a girl. He longed for a son to carry on the throne. I’m sure you can imagine how this put a wrench in his relationship with his daughter. Not only this, but he was desperate to leave his marriage with Catherine, as he had fallen in love with a woman by the name of Anne Boleyn. To get out of the marriage, he claimed that his relationship with Catherine was incestuous, since she had been married previously to his brother. In the process of deeming the relationship incestuous, Henry consequently delegitimized Mary, since this meant she would have been the product of the taboo relationship.

After such a unique childhood experience, you might not expect Mary to have grown up well-adjusted and level-headed. And you would be correct! The woman would be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent people. So, how did this all happen? Upon the beginning of her rule in 1553, Mary’s main goal was to restore Roman Catholicism in her country, and she would stop at nothing to accomplish it. Her first step to achieving this goal was to marry Philip II of Spain, a dashing, younger man who shared Mary’s desire for Catholic reformation.

This pairing stirred up some drama, to say the least. Mary’s advisors would have much preferred she marry her cousin, Courtenay, earl of Devon, but she was not having it. Instead, the feisty cougar opted for Philip, resulting in mass chaos and unrest within the country. In fact, a brave soul by the name of Sir Thomas Wyatt, who was particularly threatened by the Catholic power-couple, staged an insurrection. Things didn’t turn out too well for Wyatt: he was executed following a speech from the Queen encouraging her subjects to fight for her.

After this, it’s safe to say that all hell broke loose, with some 280 protestants being burned at the stake for their religious beliefs under Mary’s instruction. This would earn her the title “Bloody Mary”, and solidify the public’s hatred for her and her husband. It turns out, ordering the deaths of your country’s people will not land you in the public's good books. Despite her best efforts, Mary never actually succeeded in her goal. Likely due to endometriosis, Mary was infertile, and did not produce an heir to the throne. After her death in 1558, her Protestant half sister, Elizabeth, took the throne.

I don’t know about you, but when I’d attempt to summon this woman in the school bathroom in grade four, I certainly didn’t know she was a bitter, 16th century English ruler with daddy issues and an inclination for death via burning. But hey, it’s never too late to learn. I’m just glad my efforts were never successful. Regardless of her failed attempt at religious reform, you can’t knock a woman for trying. Actually, maybe you can, if it meant hundreds of people died horrifically. 

Hi! My name is Kayleigh Vantour. I am a Professional Writing Student at Algonquin College. I love cats, the colour pink, fashion, and writing. When I am not in school or at work, I enjoy hanging out with friends and thrifting. I am excited to be a part of this blog, as I have always had an interest in history, particularly its darker side. I am looking forward to exploring some of history’s creepiest, most disturbing events with you!