Mary and Philip

The co-monarchy of Mary I and Philip II put England at the heart of early modern Europe. This positive reassessment of their joint reign counters a series of parochial, misogynist and anti-Catholic assumptions, correcting the many myths that have grown up around the marriage and explaining the reasons for its persistent marginalisation in the historiography of sixteenth-century England. Using new archival discoveries and original sources, the book argues for Mary as a great Catholic queen, while fleshing 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. An important corrective for anyone interested in the history of Tudor England and Habsburg Spain.

Alexander Samson is Reader in Early Modern Studies at University College London

List of platesList of abbreviationsIntroduction1 Prenuptial2 Contracting matrimony3 Wyatt and the queens regal power4 A marriage made in Heaven?5 Royal entry: London, 18 August 15546 Anti-Spanish sentiment in early modern England7 Spanish Tudor / English HabsburgConclusionBibliographyIndex