Mary Tudor: Courageous Queen or Bloody Mary?

A Wicked History

by Jane Buchanan

Her parents split up during one of the messiest divorces in history. Her father disowned her. Her half-brother took her crown and attacked her religious faith.

But this sad little girl grew up to be the first ruling queen of England. And when she took over, she ruled with a vengeance.

Convinced that God was on her side, Mary Tudor lashed out at religious dissidents. She made Protestants all across England live in fear. Mary had more people executed for heresy than any other English ruler.

And many of her victims were burned at the stake.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Royalty, Middle Grade, Historical, Childrens

128 pages, Library Binding

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[Trevor Oakley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to be impressed with the Wicked History series. These slim volumes are packed with history embedded within the lives of murderous figures. Timelines, artwork, maps, and glossaries help to break up chapters. Here, the life of Mary "quite contrary" is told and her devotion to god, the poor and sick is juxtaposed with her desire to have every Protestant burned to death. Her father, King Henry, set quite an example for her!

[Brittany]

Mary Tudor, Bloody Mary Or Courageous Queen
Jane Buchanan


My book is about Mary Tudors life and what she went through as a child and what her life was like as a Princess, a Queen, and a “Illegitimate Daughter.” The King Henry VIII and Queen Catherine, Her Mother and Father. The story tells how she lived as a child how has a half sister and a half brother who will succeed her Father and be the King. When her half brother becomes King every thing changes and not for the good. Her brother lives until he was fourteen. Then Mary still had to fight for her right to be Queen even though in her Fathers will she was to become Queen After her Half Brothers death King Edward VI. Then when Mary died Elizabeth her half sister became the Queen.

I think this book is a good book. I liked the book because it was interesting to see how her life was so different. How she was treated by different people and how she was treated in different points in time. I didn’t even know her dad married six women. He married three of them in one year. I also learned that she was engaged by age six and by age seven was engaged twice and both broken off by the men.

I would give this book a nine out of ten. I gave this book a nine because I think it was interesting how her life is so different from ours today. I also think it was strange that they make you get married at such a young age. But I liked how I learned things that I didn’t know about Mary Tudor’s life. I liked this book a lot.

[Arianah Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I read in the series, and I actually love it! I think I will read other books from the series. :)

[Brenna Call · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biography of Mary Tudor, daughter of King Henry VIII and the first female ruler of England, chronicling the important events in her life from birth to death. The book provided good historical background for important events. Illustrations, timelines, maps and index and a glossary are all included. These are all important elements in a good nonfiction book for this age group. This book was an interesting and quick read. It was also part of a series called Wicked History that I would like to read more of.

[Halmesned7]

Can you imagine your life changing every second a new location, family and environment. Consider being forced to abandon your life and surroundings and start over. Mary Queen of Scots pulled it off with her head raised, for what she believed in was always more important. Mary Tudor is best known as Queen of England, but should also be recognized for her bravery because she went against the Duke of Norfolk, she almost was executed and she fought for her religious beliefs.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know very much about Mary. I have an elementary knowledge of Henry VIII and Elizabeth. The story is truly fascinating.

This was my second Wicked History book and I loved it. On to Robespierre.

[Pamela Hatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Tudor: Courageous Queen or Bloody Mary? [A Wicked History] / by Jane Buchanan -- New York : Scholastic, c2008. (128 pages)

SUMMARY: Her parents split up during one of the messiest divorces in history. Her father disowned her. Her half-brother took her crown and attacked her religious faith. But this sad little girl grew up to be the first ruling queen of England. And when she took over, she ruled with a vengeance. Convinced that God was on her side, Mary Tudor lashed out at religious dissidents. She made Protestants all across England live in fear. Mary had more people executed for heresy than any other English ruler. And many of her victims were burned at the stake. (back cover)

REVIEW: I was given review copies of the first four titles of this series when it was first published in 2007 and I was hooked. #1) I love history and these little books have lots of history packed into its pages in easy understandable language. #2) There was lots of maps, illustrations, paintings, pictures to accompany the text. #3) The featured people in this series were ones you couldn't find in other series which made it attractive to expand library collections. #4) They were "wicked" with just enough details to entertain, educated, and gross out the reader while not being too much to overwhelm. #5) It would make an attractive alternative to reluctant readers who needed a biography (at least 100 pages by teacher's criteria) and still be enjoyable and doable.

This title of Mary Tudor tells the sad story of her childhood and the crazy world of the royal family, politics, and religion. From being a pampered princess to being disowned by her father the King. To being stubborn and not giving up her rights and title as Princess and then ruling with a vengeance once she did finally inherit the throne. The cruelty she inflicted on the protestant church is hard to read and yet even harder to believe....but it is history and it did happen. Also shows a look into behind the scenes of a royal family during this time period in history, the lack of advancement in medicine at the time, and the hard life they all lived (even wealthy). The word written across the cover is "lethal" and Mary was considered lethal executing an estimated 300 people.

WARNING: Not a book for the squeamish.

[Ryley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Tudor was the first ruling queen of England. She had a sad but determined childhood which provoked her to have a demanding and strict reign. Mary Tudor was a very religious Catholic person. She expected everybody that she ruled to have the Roman Catholic religion. If you didn't, well, you got burned at the stake or tortured until you converted to the religion. Despite her sad and rejected childhood she ruled with vengeance and determination to restore England to a land of prosperity. Join Jane Buchanan and find out the whole story of Mary Tudor.

I enjoyed this book because it allowed me to get the full story of Mary Tudor. I came into this book thinking that Mary Tudor was just a heartless queen. But, as I read this book, all of her actions were due to the depressing and terrible events of her childhood. I would recommend this to people who are learning about Mary Tudor. I say this because this book is informational and it can give you a lot of valuable facts about Mary Tudor and the effects she had on society.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book is about a girl named Mary Tudor (aka bloody Mary). It talks about her father, mother, and what had happened to them. Mary was engaged a lot when she was alive but finally married. She was second in line for the throne and when her brother died she become queen. She was a catholic so she changed the kingdoms religion to catholic. When she became queen the people didn't like her so they broke the laws and she sacrificed at least 20,000 people.

I really like this book because I really like horror movies and scary stuff so I enjoys this book a lot. I have also played bloody Mary before and I wanted to learn her back story. This book would be a good book to read because we learn about her in World History and it helped me. I would recommended this book to Lydia. I would recommend this to her because she like horror movies.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Mary could barley even walk or talk she was already engaged to Charles.The book Mary Tudor is about who is all in her family. Mary has a crazy father named King Henry who had so many wives, which made her have so many siblings. Mary had one crazy life her half brother at one point took her crown, when he took her crown he attacked her religious faith. When Mary grew up she ended up being the queen the England.

The Mary Tudor was very good book. I rated this book a 5 because, the book always had me interested. I would share this book to anyone who knows of Bloody Mary so they can learn more about who she is. This book always had me on my feet and i never wanted to put it down. I loved to this book i learned much about who she is.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that this book is only ok. I did not really enjoy reading this book. I am not sure that I would recommend this book to many people. I thought that it was a little gory and sad at some parts. It is a good book if you are looking for gory history but you probably will not enjoy it if you are looking for a happy book.

[Jennifer Son · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very interesting to see how Mary deals with the Roman Catholic Church after her father’s reformation of the church. It was also fun to see how her childhood affected what kind of ruler she became.

[Samantha Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for young adults who want to learn more about a displaced princess who became a vengeful queen. Mary Tudor was a complicated figure with a difficult life. Easy read. Finished it in one sitting.

[Kim Mento · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a lot about Queen Elizabeth I and had not read much about Mary Tudor. I have the Wicked History books in the library and thought I would try one. The book is short at 128 pages. There is an index, timeline, and glossary at the end. This is a fact-packed little book.

If you are interested in Wicked History books. we have a few in the library. They are on the top of the biography section.

92 TUDOR

[Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read for a brief overview of Mary Tudor. I appreciated the maps, timelines, & pictures included.

[Mary Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a biography book about Mary Tudor, who has lived a sad life throughout her life. Until she became the queen of England. ...

[Carrie Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series for reluctant readers.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography for middle and high school students.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

She had such a wicked life, and was wicked herself. Was this wickedness caused by trauma? Maybe.

[Caela Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick easy read needed a brain break

[Jeanne Morigeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise little biography.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this take on Mary!

[Rida · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very realistic diary of what people in that time-period would think about, and along with that also gave us great historical knowledge.

[Chrysti Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read if you enjoy the English monarch history. I appreciate the author wrote the facts of what was done by Mary and allows the reader to decide how you feel she behaved as Queen.

[Ngoc-Bich Dang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool book with a matter-of-fact style of narration.

[Tanner Fraim]

Mary Tudor s born she is then betrothed to a French prince. At the time Mary was 2 ½ years old, Her parents are Queen Catherine, and Henry VIII. Queen Catherine is a devout catholic from Spain. She is older than her husband Henry who is king of England
Mary’s mother, Queen Catherine, teaches her about the catholic church. During this time, Martin Luther led a revolt against the catholic church. The Protestant reformation was happening. Mary’s engagement to the French prince is over because England goes to war with France. Charles V is older than Mary. He decides he cannot wait for Mary to grow up and have an heir so he breaks off the engagement.
Mary Tudor, moves to Wales and is declared the princess of Wales. She is to be educated in Wales. She is separated from her mother, Catherine. Henry the eighth is involved with Anne Boleyn and tries to get rid of Catherine by divorce, because she has not produced a son. The pope said he could not divorce her. He exiles her and breaks from the roman catholic church. He maries Anne Boleyn and declares himself supreme head of the church of England. But Mary will not stop fighting to become queen of England. Henry the eighth is not wanting Mary to keep calling herself princess but Mary will not stop
Ann Boleyn is declared queen and has Elizabeth. Mary is declared illegitimate. Mary and her mother try to get allies to help them Mary tries to see her father but he refuses maries punished for calling herself princess and Anne Boleyn’s children become heir to the throne Mary’s mother dies and Anne is beheaded. Henry marries Jane Seymour and Mary refuses to declare her father as head of the church or that her parents’ marriage was illegal. She finally relents and is welcomed back to the palace. Jane Seymour is good to her but dies giving birth to a son Edward
Prince Edward becomes heir to the throne. Mary’s life is comfortable with her family. Henry begins attacking the pope’s English allies and starts making monks and nuns work for the church of England. Henry marries twice more but gets rid of them. He finally marries Catherine Parr. He then dies and Edward becomes king. Edward gets rid of catholic practices. Mary is very mad and then she starts her own catholic practices. Mary is taken to London where the government can keep watch over her. King Edward is angry but she will not give up her catholic faith. Edward dies and after a rebellion Mary becomes queen.
As Mary tutor became queen she wanted the main religious views to turn from protestant to roman catholic just like it was before her father. As the protestants view grew, Mary got angrier. She did not want protestants so the killings began. John Rogers was the first protestant to be burned. They say the fire burned slow and it took hours to burn. She would burn people at the stake if they were protestant. Philip was Mary’s new husband from Spain. Mary had two false pregnancies. She felt god was punishing her so she started killing more people. She thought this was what god wanted her to do. By the time she died she had killed over 300 innocent people. Her sister Elizabeth became queen and returned England slowly back to Protestantism.

[Derrell]

Lobe this book marry was a saint no matter what you say

[J'aime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scholastic's "Wicked History" series is a wonderful idea that actually works in execution. The books are small, short paperbacks intended for middle school aged children, but that can be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in history. Each book takes an historical figure, usually infamous or nefarious, and gives a brief history. The work is enriched with the use of maps, a "web" of actors (genealogy and key figures in that person's life) and historical pictures or drawings. The font size is also larger than standard, for younger readers.

Here, we get a glimpse into the life of Mary Tudor, nicknamed "Bloody Mary" for the nearly 300 protestants she had burned during her short reign as queen. In fact, the book opens with one such burning, a dramatic way to draw a reader in. However, there was more to her than that and this book tries to give a more balanced look at a much maligned figure. How she went from cherished, pampered daughter to exiled bastard.

These are not intended for history buffs/people highly familiar with the subject. They are more like an expanded, enriched encyclopedia entry. Great for hooking a child's interest, and then literally offering sources at the end of where to go for more information. I was especially impressed that they do not only list scholarly books, but also websites. Overall, a great idea and I intend to continue with the series. Many of the figures I know absolutely nothing about, and a little but of history would be welcome.

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an exciting story. It started of when King Henry VIII, wanted a male heir, but had trouble getting one. So he turns to the church to divorce his wife which only got him a baby girl. After every wife that didn't get him a male heir he would kill her, until he finally got a male heir. The book would get confusing sometimes so I would just reread that part. After years King Henry VIII died, and his son Edward took his place on the throne, later Edward had also died, and Mary Tudor was next in line to take the place on the throne. Mary was strong and grew to be a powerful and bloody queen of England. She would show to mercy to the Protestants; all she wanted was a strict Catholic country. She thought she could change England, but she was wrong. My opinion towards this book is that it is a really good book to read, since it keeps getting you to predict and wonder what will happen. It is a small yet really fascinating book to read in the spare time you got.

[Harrison Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

122 pages long
Non-fiction
Written by: Jane Buchanan

This book is about a girl named Mary Tudor aka bloody Mary. Mary was the Daughter of King Henry of Germany. She was the first Child of Henry. Of course Henry wanted a king not a queen to rule, but she'll have to do for now. She was raised by special mades and her father adored her. She was taught by reshighting bible verses into italian. When her mother was killed she moved into her own separate castle. After that another girl was born under king henry and then finally a boy to rule. He took power when he was only 13 years old. When Mary gained power she would burn people in the tower (jail) because there would be to many people. When she was running she killed 300 people before dying of illness.

I rated this book a 3 out of 5 stars because i didn't understand some of the words and was easy to predict. Also this book was easy and short to read which i din't like.