The Tudor Society

Queen Mary I and her reign quiz

Claire Ridgway

As Mary I was the topic of my Claire Chats talk this week, I thought it would be good to test your knowledge on this Tudor queen.

How much do you know about Queen Mary I? Hopefully, you'll be surprised by just how much you know!

Grab your favourite snack and beverage, make yourself comfortable, and let's begin... Good luck!

Queen Mary I and her reign

Q1) How old was Mary when she became queen?

38

35

37

29

Correct! She was born on 18th February 1516 and became queen on 6th July 1553.
Wrong! She was 37. She was born on 18th February 1516 and became queen on 6th July 1553.

Q2) To which of these men was Mary betrothed during her childhood? Tick all that apply.

Francis the Dauphin, son of Francis I

Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor

Louis XII

John III of Portugal

Correct! She was betrothed to Francis in 1518 and then to Charles in 1521.
Wrong! She was betrothed to Francis (in 1518) and Charles (1521).

Q3) Before Mary angered her father, Henry VIII, by supporting her mother, Catherine of Aragon, and refusing to recognise the annulment and Henry's title of Supremen Head of the Church in England, how did Henry VIII refer to her?

As the apple of his eye

As his diamond in the rough

As his precious ruby

As his pearl of the world

Correct!
Wrong! As his "pearl of the world".

Q4) True or false: Mary stood as godmother to her half-brother, Edward VI?

True

False

Correct!
Wrong! It's true.

Q5) True or false: During her brother Edward VI's reign, Mary kept her Catholic faith to herself and didn't rock the boat in any way?

True

False

Correct! Mary defied her brother's religious legislation. In 1551, she rode through the streets of London with an entourage of ladies and gentlemen all carrying rosaries, and refused to stop celebrating the Mass in her household.
Wrong! Mary defied her brother's religious legislation. In 1551, she rode through the streets of London with an entourage of ladies and gentlemen all carrying rosaries, and refused to stop celebrating the Mass in her household.

Q6) Mary was officially proclaimed queen in London on 19th July 1553, but when did she proclaim herself queen to her household at Kenninghall?

6th July

7th July

8th July

9th July

Correct! It was after she had received confirmation of Edward VI's death.
Wrong! It was on 8th July 153 after she had received confirmation of Edward VI's death.

Q7) Which man did she choose as her Lord Chancellor when she came to the throne?

Reginald Pole

Stephen Gardiner

William Paget

William Herbert

Correct!
Wrong! She chose Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester.

Q8) Mary I ruled for only 5 years, but she did achieve a significant amount. Which of the following did she achieve? Tick all that apply.

She maintained the navy and reformed the militia

She established the gender-free authority of the Crown

She began drafting plans for currency reform

She granted a royal charter to the Muscovy Company

Correct!
Wrong! She did all of them!

Q9) How many Protestants are recorded as being executed during her reign?

284

72,000

300

256

Correct!
Wrong! It's 284.

Q10) True or false: Mary imprisoned her half-sister, Elizabeth, in the Tower of London for 6 months?

True

False

Correct! Elizabeth was taken to the Tower on Palm Sunday (18th March) 1554 and released into house arrest on 19th May 1554, so just over 2 months.
Wrong! Elizabeth was taken to the Tower on Palm Sunday (18th March) 1554 and released into house arrest on 19th May 1554, so just over 2 months.

Q11) Mary I died on 17th November 1558, but where did she die?

Richmond Palace

Hampton Court Palace

St James's Palace

Whitehall Palace

Correct!
Wrong! She died at St James's Palace.

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