BBC History UK 04.2020

→

For centuries, Mary Tudor has been portrayed as a heartless

zealot with the blood of hundreds of Protestants on her hands.

But, argues Alexander Samson, behind the grisly caricature

stands one of England’s most accomplished monarchs

GETTY IMAGES →

Mary: brutal

but brilliant

Anthonis Mor’s portrait of

Mary I from 1554. The queen’s

penetrating gaze – described

by one art historian as

gargoyle-like – has long

dogged her reputation

Forcenturies,MaryTudorhasbeenportrayedasa heartless

zealotwiththebloodofhundredsofProtestantsonherhands.

But,arguesAlexander Samson, behindthegrislycaricature

stands one of England’s most accomplished monarchs
GETTY IMAGES

Mary: brutal

but brilliant

AnthonisMor’sportraitof

MaryI from1554.Thequeen’s

penetratinggaze – described

by one art historianas

gargoyle-like– has long

dogged her reputation