Mary's family

Queen Katherine of Aragon King Henry VIII Tudor Mother & Father Mary Tudor was born a healthy baby girl to Henry VIII Tudor and Katherine of Aragon at Greenwich Palace on 18 February 18 1516. Born in Greenwich Palace, Henry VIII was the third child of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. Of the young Henry's six siblings, only three — Arthur, Prince of Wales, Margaret, and Mary — survived infancy. In 1493, at the age of two, Henry was appointed Constable of Dover Castle and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. In 1494, he was created Duke of York. He was subsequently appointed Earl Marshal of England and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Henry was given a first-rate education from leading tutors, becoming fluent in Latin, French, and Spanish. As it was expected that the throne would pass to Prince Arthur, Henry's older brother, Henry was prepared for a life in the church. In 1502, Arthur, just 15 years old, died suddenly. His death thrust all his duties upon his younger brother Henry, who then became Prince of Wales. Henry VII renewed his efforts to seal a marital alliance between England and Spain, by offering Henry, Prince of Wales, in marriage to Prince Arthur's widow, Katherine of Aragon. Katherine of Aragon was born in Archbishop's Palace in Alcalá de Henares, in Madrid, on 16 December 1485. She was the daughter of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. She was married in proxy to Henry's older brother, Prince Arthur, on 19 May 1499. They didn't meet until Arthur was 15, on 4 November at Dogmersfield in Hampshire, England. On 14 November 1501, they were officially married at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Henry was her escort to the altar. Katherine was given the title "Princess of Wales." Arthur was sent to Ludlow Castle on the borders of Wales, to preside over the Council of Wales and the Marches, as was his duty as Prince of Wales, and his bride accompanied him. A few months later, they both became ill, possibly with the sweating sickness. He died on 2 April 1502, but Katherine recovered and found herself a widow. At this point, Henry VII faced the challenge of avoiding returning her dowry to her father. To avoid complications, it was agreed she would marry Henry VII's second son, Henry, Duke of York, who was years younger than she was. However, the death of her mother meant that Catherine's 'value' in the marriage market decreased. Castile was a much larger Kingdom than Aragon and it was inherited by Catherine's mentally unstable elder sister, Joanna. Ostensibly, the marriage was delayed until Henry was old enough. She lived as a virtual prisoner at Durham House in London. Marriage to Henry depended on the Pope granting a dispensation because of Katherine's relationship with Arthur. Catherine testified her marriage to Arthur was never consummated. The matter was considered of minor importance at the time, as the Pope had the power to overrule any objections, whether or not they were for religious reasons. The King and Queen were married on 11 June 1509 and crowned together on 24 June 1509 in Westminister Abbey. Henry was a tall, muscular man at that time with auburn hair and white complexion. Katherine was a grey eyed red- head. As Mary grew, the combination of Henry's complexion, Katherine's grey eyes and red hair became apparent.

Step-Mothers

Anne Boleyn (1507 - 1536) Mary and Anne's relationship was complex. They both shared similarities like stubbornness and determination and strength. They could have been friends or enemies. Destiny choose enemies. In Mary's point of view,(and all Europe), Anne was a usurper of her Mother's title and would never be a queen. On the other hand Anne thought that Mary was a bastard. When Anne started to become parinoid she blamed Mary for her insecurities. For Mary and her mother were loved by the people of England. When Anne started to lose the King's interest, Anne started to treat Mary even worse. But when Katherine died, Anne was now seen by some, as a Queen. It was a new time. It could have been a new chance to restart their relationship. She invited Mary several times to travel with her,which were marked by the tense atmosphere On 18 May, The day before her execution she requested Lady Kingston, wife of the Lieutenant of the Tower, to go to Mary and kneel before her and "beg her to pardon an unfortunate woman the many wrongs she has done her."

Jane Seymour (1509 - 1537) Jane and Mary's relationship was the opposite of how she was with Anne Boleyn. Jane, like Mary, was a Roman Catholic. From the start Jane had somewhat of a maternal love for the Princess. She made it possible for Mary to come back to court and return to good graces with the King. A fact drew much attention in the court: Jane Seymour was concerned to walk side-by-side with her stepdaughter who was treated for 'Lady', a fact quite unusual for a queen. Jane made sure that both Henry's daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, would be in Edward's Christening and even went as far as to appoint Mary as his Godmother. Unfortunately Jane died soon after and Mary lost a great friend. Mary was chief mourner at Jane's funeral. Mary and Jane Joint Page

Anne of Cleves (1515 - 1557) Unlike the show, Anne and Mary had a great relationship. They were friends, but had different religious views. When Mary was coronated, she invited Anne, along with her sister Elizabeth to London for the celebration. When Anne died, Mary gave her a bueatiful funeral for her dear friend.

Katherine Howard (1521 - 1542) Katherine and Mary's relationship didn't start right. Mary refused to admit that Katherine was younger than her.The Queen believed that Mary was disrespecful to her; as she was with her predecessors. Katherine went as far as to take 2 ladies-in-waiting from Mary. After that, the Princess withdraw herself with the Queen. Soon after, Queen Katherine was executed by order of her father, Henry.

Catherine Parr (1512-1548)

Siblings

Elizabeth Half-Sister (1533 - 1603) Mary and Elizabeth's relationship was civil until Mary become Queen. They were actually quite close and she always cared for Elizabeth. The problem was that they both had different religious views and when Mary became Queen, Elizabeth's enemies threatened Mary's reign by trying to over-throw her and put Elizabeth on the throne. Elizabeth and Mary had quite a relationship. There is much more to read on them. For more, here is the link of the joint page between the two teams: Mary & Elizabeth joint page

Prince Edward VI Half-Brother (1537 - 1553) Mary and Edward's relationship was a lot like her relationship with Elizabeth, until he became King. Mary was his Godmother and they both cared for each other. Edward asked several times for Catherine Parr to take care of Princess Mary, but again the power struggle, different religious views, and factions broke their conections. When Edward signed his will, he left the throne to his cousin Lady Jane Grey and excluded Mary because she was Catholic. Edward and the Seymours wanted a Protestant to take over the Kingdom. Eventually Mary got her way though due to the rightful accesion agreement signed by King Henry before he died.

Extended Family Relations

Jane Grey Cousin Mary and jane were cousin by Duchess Mary tudor,Henry's young sister.despite their different Faiths Mary and Jane respected each other and usually send gifts,Almost none were like by Jane, since Mary send her rich dress and Jane as a protestant wouldn't use.After Jane be proclaimed queen,something she disliked,Mary rode with an army to london, Dudley and Jane were arrested in the tower of london,one year after she was executed.This really affected Mary, who never wanted the executtion. More in mary myths page: Mary's myths

Mary Stuart Cousin there's nothing else than a letter wrote by Mary stuart in 1554 to her cousin Queen Mary I: "May it please God, there shall be a perpetual memory that there were two queens in this Isle at the same time, as united in inviolate amity as they are in blood and near lineage" She addresses Mary Tudor as ‘Madam, my good sister’ and refers to herself as ‘your good sister and cousin’.

Isabella I&Ferdinand II Maternal grandparents

Elizabeth & Henry VII paternal grandparents