Mary I, eldest daughter of Henry VIII, was Queen of England from 1553 until her death in 1558. For much of this time she ruled alongside her husband, King Philip II of Spain, forming a co-monarchy that put England at the heart of early modern Europe. In this book, Alexander Samson presents a bold reassessment of Mary and Philip's reign, rescuing them from the neglect they have suffered at the hands of generations of historians. The co-monarchy of Mary I and Philip II put England at the heart of early modern Europe. This positive reassessment of their joint reign counters a series of parochial, misogynist and anti-Catholic assumptions, correcting the many myths that have grown up around the marriage and explaining the reasons for its persistent marginalisation in the historiography of sixteenth-century England. Using new archival discoveries and original sources, the book argues for Mary as a great Catholic queen, while fleshing out Philip's important contributions as king of England.

The co-monarchy of Mary I and Philip II put England at the heart of early modern Europe. This volume provides a positive reassessment of their reign, countering parochial, misogynist and anti-Catholic assumptions while seeking to correct the myths that surround Mary and Philip's marriage and examining the reasons for the couple's marginalisation in the historiography of Tudor England.

Using new archival discoveries and original sources, the book argues for Mary as a great Catholic queen and fleshes out Philip's important contributions as king of England. It demonstrates the many positive achievements of this dynastic union in everything from culture, music and art to cartography, commerce and exploration. Mary and Philip's negative reputation derives from a particular version of English identity and reflects the ongoing role of confessional differences in early modern English history. The acceptability of Mary's foreign marriage will continue to reflect the evolving relationship between Britain and Europe and its changing cultural politics.

Moving from the commercial and strategic interests served by Anglo-Spanish alliances, the book analyses the negotiations and marriage contract, Mary's government, the Act for the Queen's Regal Power, the Wyatt rebellion, the co-monarchy, gynophobic polemic and more. It is an essential corrective for anyone interested in the history of Tudor England and Habsburg Spain.