The Reign of Mary I and Religious Persecution

The Reign of Mary I and Religious Persecution

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson you will understand the extent and impact of Mary I's persecution of Protestants. At the end of the lesson you will be able to evaluate the historical context of religious executions during the 16th century. At the end of the lesson you will recognize the potential bias in historical accounts regarding Mary I's reign. At the end of the lesson you will compare the methods and scale of religious persecution across different monarchs of the time. At the end of the lesson you will examine the role of advisors in the decisions made by monarchs, particularly Mary I.

What do you already know about Mary I's persecution of Protestants?

Mary I's persecution of Protestants

Mary I executed an average of one person every five days. The burnings were not unique, as other monarchs executed more people through other methods. The main source of information about Mary's executions comes from a Protestant perspective, which may have exaggerated the accounts.

Comparison of execution rates under different monarchs

Henry VIII executed 70,000 and Elizabeth I executed 300 after a rebellion. The King of Spain executed 30,000 Protestants. Execution for crimes, including stealing, was common during the 16th century.

Historical context of 16th-century executions

The majority of the English population were unaffected by Mary's executions. Execution for crimes, including stealing, was common during the 16th century. Mary broke her promise and executed Lady Jane Grey.

The influence of religious and political advisors on Mary I

Mary's decision-making was likely influenced by her advisors, particularly Cardinal Pole, who sought revenge on Protestants.

The public perception and reaction to Mary I's reign

Despite Mary's actions, the majority of the English population were unaffected by her executions. She showed leniency at times, forgiving participants of Wyatt's rebellion and allowing 800 Protestants to leave England.

Definition List

Persecution: The act of subjecting someone to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their race, political, or religious beliefs. Bias: Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair. Advisor: A person who gives advice, typically someone who is expert in a particular field. Rebellion: An act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler. Treason: The crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

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Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

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Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.