Queen Mary I (1516-1558), Reigned 1553-8; daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon

Sitter associated with 49 portraits
The daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, Mary fell from favour during her parents' divorce and was declared illegitimate. By 1544 she was reinstated in the order of succession to the throne. On the death of her half brother Edward VI she inherited the throne, and as a fervent Roman Catholic, re-introduced the old religion. Yet her marriage to Philip II of Spain and persecution of Protestants contributed to her unpopularity. It was claimed that her unhappiness at Philip's absence abroad, and at the loss of Calais in the war against France contributed to her final illness.