Returning to Catholicism
History: KS3, topic 5.2.9
Mary I: Returning to Catholicism
Unlike her brother, Mary I was a Catholic. She wanted to undo Edward VI’s protestant reforms and join England with Rome again.
Mary I as a Catholic
- Mary I was a Catholic.
- She disagreed with her father’s break from Rome and her brother’s religious reforms.
- Mary I wanted to return England to Catholicism.
- Mary I deliberately married a Catholic, Prince Philip of Spain.
Joining with Rome
- In 1554, England was reunited with Rome.
- The Pope was made the Head of the Church of England.
- Bibles and masses returned to being in Latin.
Persecuting Protestants
- Mary I persecuted (targeted and executed) Protestants.
- About 300 men and women were executed, including Archbishop Cranmer and the Bishops Latimer and Ridley.
Did people support the Counter-Reformation?
- It is difficult to tell whether people supported Mary I’s Catholic policy.
- Mary I was able to return England to Catholicism relatively quickly.
- This would suggest that many people did support Mary I’s policy (and that they were reluctant to accept the Protestant reforms of previous rulers).
Test yourself on Returning to Catholicism
Who did Mary I marry?
In which year was England reunited with Rome?