Episode 256 was on the relationship between Mary and Philip – both the wedding ceremony, and the marriage itself.
Below the episode you’ll find a transcript for easy reading.
Hey friends, and welcome to the Renaissance English History Podcast, a part of the Agora Podcast Network. I am your host, Heather Teysko. I’m a storyteller who makes history accessible because I believe it’s a pathway to understanding who we are, our place in the universe, and being much more deeply in touch with our own humanity.
So this is, I think, episode 256. And we are going to talk today about the marriage between Mary Tudor and Philip of Spain. I’ve been reading a lot about Mary Tudor lately, and actually today as I’m recording this, it’s the anniversary of when she came to the throne as England’s first Queen Regnant. And of course she gets a very bad reputation, not all of which is deserved.
Some of which is also due to the fact that she was the first queen regnant in a country that was not very friendly to that. But one of the things that made people the angriest at her early on was her marriage to Philip of Spain. We’re going to talk about why that was. What people were so worried about and how it was dealt with.
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They’re pretty much the same whether you go to Patreon or YouTube. Doesn’t matter, whatever is easiest for you. Alright, thank you again Ruthie, Becky, and Maya, and let’s get right into it. So in the summer of 1554, England stood on the brink of a major transformation. Mary Tudor, the first queen to rule England in her own right, It was about to marry Philip of Spain, heir to one of the most powerful empires in Europe.
The match promised mucha union of crowns, a consolidation of Catholic power, and the potential for England to stand at the center of European politics. But beneath the surface of this royal alliance simmered deep anxieties. For Mary, this wasn’t just a political necessity. This marriage was a lifeline.
She was in her late thirties, and she had endured years of personal and political turmoil. The union with Philip offered the chance to secure her Catholic restoration, produce an heir, and stabilize her fragile reign. But to her subjects, especially the English nobility, Philip was a foreign prince from a dynasty that symbolized both power and fear.
There were whispers of the Spanish Inquisition. Rumors that England might fall under Spanish control, and a tangible fear that Mary’s marriage would cost the country its sovereignty. So in this episode, we are going to delve into the complex negotiations, the power struggles, and personal dynamics that defined the co monarchy of Philip and Mary.
This is a story of political maneuvering, cultural clashes, and two monarchs trying to find their place. In a world that is unwilling to yield to their authority. I know normally I do Monty Python cut-ins here with things like that, but when I read the word authority, I hear cartman from South Park going, respect my Lord die.
Um, but again, that is because I have the sense of humor of a 15-year-old boy. Anyway. Moving on, the marriage between Mary Tudor and Philip of Spain was not a love match, at least for Philip, and not for Mary at first, but it was a political union, one that needed the delicate touch of diplomacy to overcome the deep suspicions on both sides.
At the center of these negotiations was Simon Reynard, the Spanish ambassador. and close confidant of Emperor Charles V, Philip’s father. Renard had the unenviable task of brokering the marriage in a kingdom still grappling with the effects of Henry VIII’s break from Rome and fiercely protective of its sovereignty.
From the outset, Renard faced significant opposition from the English nobility, who feared that this marriage would bring more than just a foreign king. It would bring the oppressive might of the Spanish Inquisition, which, of course, nobody ever expects. Stories of brutal interrogations and forced conversions echoed across Europe, fueling rumors that Mary’s marriage would signal the return of Catholic authoritarianism.
Even more troubling was the possibility that England might be reduced to a mere vassal of the vast Habsburg Empire. Many feared Philip’s arrival would mean England’s absorption into Spain’s political orbit, losing its hard won independence in the process. The Wyatt Rebellion, which erupted in early 1554, was the most direct manifestation of these fears.
Led by Thomas Wyatt the Youngerwe actually did a series on the Wyatt family a couple months agothe rebellion sought to prevent the marriage by force. Although Wyatt’s army of a few thousand men was easily defeated, the uprising sent shockwaves through the court and the country. It was a clear indication that the English people, especially the Protestant factions, were would not quietly accept the idea of a Spanish king, and certainly not one who might bring with him the Inquisition.
To assuage these fears and ensure the nobility’s cooperation, a series of stringent conditions were included in the marriage treaty. Chief among them was the agreement that Philip would not be crowned King of England. He would rule solely as Mary’s consort, but never as an independent sovereign. This was a crucial concession to safeguard English sovereignty, ensuring that Mary retained full control over her realm.
The treaty went further, explicitly stating that English laws and customs would remain unchanged, and that no Spaniards would be appointed to positions of power in England. This clause was designed to quell fears that Spanish officials would flood the English court and government, turning it into an arm of Philip’s empire.
The treaty also addressed the all important issue of succession. If Mary and Philip had a child, that heir would inherit the English crown, preserving the Tudor line. But in the event of Mary’s death without an heir, the throne would revert back to her English relatives, not to Philip. This ensured that the kingdom would not be handed over to Spain when Mary died.
Despite these reassurances, the English nobility remained wary. Many saw Philip as a foreigner with little interest in England’s well being, and they doubted whether Mary, despite her insistence on maintaining her authority, would be able to hold her ground against the pressures of Habsburg influence.
The Wyatt Rebellion may have been crushed, but the tensions it revealed would stay throughout Mary’s reign. So let’s talk about the royal wedding. The royal wedding took place on July 25, 1554, in Winchester Cathedral. This wasn’t an ordinary royal marriage, of course. Every detail of the ceremony was carefully orchestrated, designed to project a message to England and the world about the nature of the Union.
In the midst of widespread unease about a foreign king potentially ruling England, the wedding itself became a stage for political theater. As the doors of Winchester Cathedral opened, the visual staging immediately set the tone. Philip arrived first and took his place on the left hand side of the altar.
Mary entered shortly after, taking the right hand position traditionally reserved for kings. This subtle but significant agreement sent a clear message. Mary was England’s sovereign. And despite marrying one of the most powerful men in Europe, she would not be relinquishing her authority. Philip’s role, at least symbolically, was to remain that of a consort, not a co ruler.
Their dress reinforced this message of unity, but with nuance. Both Philip and Mary were dressed in matching gold cloth, richly embroidered, a striking visual symbol of their partnership. By wearing nearly identical outfits, they projected a sense of equality and shared purpose in their marriage. Yet, the subtle differences in the way they were positioned in the churchMary on the right, Philip on the leftemphasized that while they were united, Mary remained the dominant figure.
The wedding itself was lavish. Of course, the cathedral was draped in rich fabrics and gold. With a platform built to raise the couple higher so they could be seen by the entire congregation. It was a visual reassurance to the English people, many of whom were still deeply suspicious of the Spanish match.
The royal couple standing side by side in full view was a living emblem of their shared destiny. For Mary, it was crucial to communicate that while she was marrying a foreign prince who was very powerful, England’s sovereignty remained intact. The public spectacle of the wedding, with its grand displays of wealth and power, also served as a political tool.
It was meant to bolster support for the marriage by showcasing Philip’s integration into the English royal fold and reassuring the people that their queen was still in charge. The wedding was as much of a political performance as it was a personal union. A visual narrative crafted to quell the fears of a nervous nation.
As Mary and Philip settled into their roles as monarchs, the intricacies of their power sharing arrangement began to unfold. Despite the carefully crafted public image of unity during the wedding, the balance of power between them was anything but straightforward. Mary’s status as a reigning queen was reinforced by an act of parliament who passed just months before the marriage.
This act granted her what were referred to as kingly powers, a legal recognition that she would hold the same authority as any male monarch. It was a bold move, particularly in an era when a woman’s ability to rule was still viewed with deep skepticism. The act ensured that Mary could govern independently, a crucial safeguard in the face of fears that Philip would try to dominate English affairs.
Despite this legal recognition, Philip’s power remained limited. The marriage treaty, which had been fiercely negotiated, made it clear that Philip wouldn’t be crowned as king in his own right. He was a king consort. And while he was given a ceremonial role in the governance of England, his influence was very much circumscribed.
Official documents, coinage, and even public proclamations listed both their names, but Philip’s name always came second, a subtle reminder that Mary’s authority remained supreme. However, Philip was not without influence. While the public ceremonies emphasized Mary’s dominance, behind the scenes Philip’s role gradually expanded.
He attended the Privy Council meetings, and he began to involve himself in England’s foreign policy, particularly when it came to its relationship with Spain and France. His presence at court, along with his Spanish retinue, meant that informal power through advisors, personal relationships, and quiet influence.
slowly shifted in his direction. His ability to grant favors and build networks of loyalty was significant especially among English courtiers eager to curry favor with the future king of Spain. But this balance of power was always delicate and much of the tension lay in the gender dynamics of the relationship.
As a woman ruling in her own right, Mary faced a unique set of challenges. Not only did she have to navigate the expectations of her male dominated court, gosh darn it, but she also had to manage the personal dynamics of being a wife. Not easy. Her marriage to Philip brought with it the expectation of wifely submission, something that was at odds very much with her position as queen.
The tension was most evident in their wedding vows. As part of the ceremony, Mary swore to be obedient to Philip, a standard line for marriages at the time. but one that carried particular weight in her situation. Despite the political assurances that she would retain her sovereignty, The private, personal element of their relationship reinforced the traditional roles of husband and wife.
In public, Mary was the monarch. In private, she was expected to conform to the role of a dutiful wife. This duality created a complex dynamic within their marriage. Mary was deeply devoted to Philip, and there were times when her personal feelings seemed to influence her decision as queen. Yet, she remained protective of her authority.
She had fought too hard to secure her place on the throne to let it be overshadowed by her husband, no matter how much she loved him. Her ability to balance these competing roles, the sovereign and the wife, was a constant struggle throughout their reign. In many ways, the marriage of Philip and Mary was a reflection of the broader struggles of the time.
It was a balancing act between the expectations placed on women, even those in positions of power, and the reality of political governance. It Publicly, the ceremonies and legal acts reinforced Mary’s dominance. Privately, Philip’s growing influence and their traditional marriage roles added layers of complexity to an already fraught situation.
Their co monarchy was both a partnership and a battleground, where questions of authority, loyalty, and gender
So as Philip stepped into his role as Mary’s consort, he faced the difficult task of integrating into a culture very different from his own. England was wary of foreign rulers, and Philip’s success or failure in adapting to English customs would be crucial to the stability of their co monarchy.
Understanding this, Philip made a significant effort to blend into English society and reassure the people that he was not a foreign usurper. One of his first moves was to adopt English customs and clothing. He was often seen wearing English style garments, and during his public appearances he made the point of presenting himself as a ruler who respected and embraced his new country.
This went beyond clothing. Philip took on English titles and adopted the public manners expected of a king consort. All designed to smooth the edges of the foreignness that unnerved so many in the English court. A key part of this effort was Philip’s portrayal on coinage and in official symbols. After the marriage, new coins were minted, featuring the profiles of both Philip and Mary.
Their faces turned toward each other in a symbolic gesture of unity. Their joint arms appeared on these coins as well, underscoring their shared monarchy. The floating crown above their heads on some depictions, however, sparked controversy, with critics interpreting it as a sign that Philip had gained too much power, an allusion to the very fears of foreign domination that had plagued the marriage from the beginning.
These fears were not unfounded. At court, tensions between the English and Spanish factions grew as Philip’s entourage began to assert itself. His arrival brought his Spanish advisers and courtiers. Many of whom quickly became a source of friction with the established English nobility. This broader anxiety over foreign influence extended beyond the walls of court.
Across England, people worried that Philip’s presence marked the beginning of a foreign takeover. Would English law remain intact? Would English traditions be upheld, or would they be swallowed by Spain’s imperial ambitions? These concerns fueled much of the ongoing suspicion toward Philip, even after the marriage treaty’s reassurances.
But Philip’s efforts to present himself as an English king consort were not in vain, and over time he was able to win over many in the court, not through overt power grabs, but using marriage as a diplomatic tool. His marriage to Mary became a symbol of strengthening alliances, particularly with Spain, and as England’s relationship with Spain solidified, many of the nobility came to see the benefits of Philip’s presence.
His influence, while carefully managed, helped to maintain England’s place in the broader European political landscape. Though he would never be fully embraced as one of their own, Philip gradually carved out a space for himself in English politics. His public image, carefully constructed through cultural adaptation, became a crucial component of the co monarchy’s few successes.
In time, Philip’s role as a consort was viewed less as a threat and more as a stabilizing force in an increasingly unstable world. As Philip and Mary navigated the complexities of their co monarchy, they faced significant challenges at home and abroad. The most immediate challenge came from within, the ongoing tension between the Catholic restoration that Mary championed and the Protestant reforms that had taken root under her father and brother.
Philip, who was also a devout Catholic, supported Mary’s efforts to restore England to the Catholic fold. But these efforts were met with a lot of resistance. One of the most notable challenges came from the Wyatt Rebellion, like we talked about, which was a direct response to the announcement of their marriage.
And although the rebellion was quashed, it highlighted all of these anxieties within England about foreign influence and religion and sovereignty. Mary’s determination to reestablish Catholicism, with Philip’s backing, led to the persecution of Protestants in what would become known as the Marian persecutions.
The burning of Protestant heretics cast a shadow over their reign and earned Mary the nickname Bloody Mary, which would define her legacy in years to come. It should be noted that Philip actually was very worried about how he would be perceived with all of the burnings that were going on, and worried that people would think it was coming from him, and he actually urged Mary to go cautiously and not make massive changes a lot of persecutions at the very beginning.
He, of course, was aware that people were worried about his influence and worried about the Spanish Inquisition and everything like that, so he actually tried to warn Mary to go much more slowly and carefully. Despite the religious upheaval, Mary and Philip did have some notable successes in foreign policy.
Their marriage tied England to the Habsburg dynasty, one of the most powerful families in Europe. And brought the country into the broader European political sphere. This alliance was particularly significant because Europe was on the brink of war. By the mid 1550s, England was drawn into a conflict with France primarily due to Philip’s entanglements on the continent.
But this foreign policy entanglement had mixed results. Most significant loss came in 1558 when England was forced to surrender Calais, its last remaining possession in France. For Mary, the loss of Calais was a personal blow and she reportedly said that when she died the name Calais would be found inscribed on her heart.
The defeat marked the end of England’s centuries long claimed French territory, and it was a symbolic loss of English prestige on the European stage. But despite these military and political setbacks, their reign did have some strengthened international alliances. Through their marriage, Mary and Philip forged a closer relationship between England and Spain, and Philip’s influence on English foreign policy would leave an impact even after his departure.
So the reign of Mary and Philip is one of the most complex and debated periods in English history. Their partnership as co monarchs, while fraught with challenges, did leave a lasting imprint on the political and cultural landscape of England. Mary’s position as a female sovereign was groundbreaking, not only because she ruled in her own right, but because she did so while also having the added complexities of marriage to a foreign prince.
In many ways, their reign redefined the expectation of queenship, illustrating the delicate balance between personal devotion and political power that female rulers have had to navigate. Interestingly, I think they still have to navigate that if you watch The Crown on Netflix, especially early on in the first couple of seasons.
There’s a lot, uh, that’s similar between another Philip, uh, Prince Philip, and Elizabeth II. So, the more things change, the more they stay the same, right? One of the most significant legacies of their co monarchy was how it shaped the perception of women in power. Mary’s reign, particularly her role in maintaining sovereignty over Philip, set the precedent for future queens and her ability to assert her authority even within the confines of a marriage.
Helped pave the way for future female monarchs, including her successor Elizabeth. But it also showed the limits of female power in a deeply patriarchal society where gender still dictated the extent of public and private authority. So even while Philip and Mary, which is a very unique case in history, wasn’t a long reign and didn’t achieve all of their ambitions, their partnership still left a very lasting and complicated legacy.
That reshaped the narrative of co monarchy and queenship in England. And I dare say, one of the biggest things that they were able to do was teach Elizabeth through their mistakes, uh, what not to do. And while it’s probably not the thing they would want to be remembered for, I think a lot of what Mary can be remembered for is having made the mistakes that Elizabeth would learn from and not make herself.
So, there we go, a little bit about Philip and Mary and their marriage and how England saw it and the wariness and all of that. Of course, we didn’t even get into anything about all of her pregnancies, well, phantom pregnancies. What was going on with that? That is another discussion that we will have to save for another day.
Maybe a YouTube video I’m not sure I can get a whole episode out of that, but maybe I can we shall see anyway I will leave it here for now. Thank you so much for listening to this wherever you are I sure do appreciate your listenership I appreciate you spending the last 20 some odd minutes with me and I will be back again very soon.
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Heather Teysko is the creator, writer, and producer of The Renaissance English History Podcast,  the original Tudor history podcast, started in 2009. She's been writing about history online for over 25 years, since her first site on Colonial American history became number one in history on Yahoo in 1998. In 2019 she created Tudorcon, which is now a yearly event, in addition to writing books, and running TudorFair.com - a whimsical Tudor Merch shop. She has been passionate about Tudor England since she first read Alison Weir's The Six Wives of Henry VIII 20 years ago, and subsequently moved to London after college to spend her time immersed in Tudor history.