What did Queen Mary I really look like? Facial Reconstructions & History Documentary

Video Description

Download June’s Journey for free now using my link: https://woo.ga/e48h3gvy Mary I, often overshadowed in Tudor history, is known for her short five-year reign between her half-siblings Edward VI and Elizabeth I. Her nickname "Bloody Mary" reflects her religious zeal and the persecution of Protestants during her rule. Born on February 18, 1516, to King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, Mary’s life was marked by her father's disappointment in not having a male heir, leading to a tumultuous childhood and strained family relations. 0:00 Early Life and Education 2:02 'The Lady Mary' 9:32 Reign of Edward VI 12:47 The Reign of Queen Mary I 17:30 What did Mary I look like? 20:38 Facial Reconstructions Revealed Despite being a girl, Mary was valued as a potential marriage pawn and received a comprehensive education influenced by her mother, Catherine, who ensured that Mary had a strong Catholic upbringing. Her early years were marked by solemnity and intelligence, though overshadowed by the tumultuous marital issues of her parents. Henry’s obsession with securing a male heir led to his break from Catherine and the Catholic Church, establishing the Church of England and declaring Mary illegitimate, which deeply affected her. Mary faced significant hardships, including being stripped of her title and facing isolation from her mother. The political and religious upheaval during this period, including Henry’s subsequent marriages and the establishment of Protestant reforms, further complicated her life. Mary’s staunch Catholic beliefs often put her at odds with her father and later her brother, Edward VI, who continued Protestant reforms during his reign. Upon Edward VI’s death in 1553, Mary successfully claimed the throne despite attempts to install Lady Jane Grey. As Queen, Mary sought to reverse her father's and brother's Protestant policies, reinstating Catholic practices and aligning England with the Pope’s authority. Her marriage to Philip of Spain, while politically significant, was unpopular among the English and did not produce an heir, further complicating her rule. Mary's reign is most remembered for the Marian persecutions, where nearly 300 Protestants were executed, earning her the infamous moniker "Bloody Mary." Her marriage to Philip and the subsequent false pregnancies added personal tragedy to her rule, contributing to her declining health and eventual death on November 17, 1558. Despite her reign's controversial aspects, Mary I played a pivotal role in the religious and political landscape of England. She was the first woman to rule England independently, setting a precedent for her sister Elizabeth I’s later iconic rule. Mary's reign, although short and troubled, was significant in the Tudor dynasty's history and the broader context of English monarchy and religion. What did Mary really look like? We are lucky to have quite a few portraits from Mary’s lifetime, starting when she was very young. In a Horenbout miniature painted when Mary was six, you can see the qualities that were remarked upon throughout Mary’s youth: That she had golden hair that later darkened to red, with a rosy and smooth complexion similar to that of her mother, Catherine of Aragon, and the blue eyes of her Father Henry. It was frequently remarked that she was very thin and had a delicate build. French ambassador Marillac said Mary was “In face like her father, especially about the mouth…Her beauty is mediocre.” The most remarkable and detailed portrait of Mary comes to us from her reign. This 1554 image by Antonis Mor, made from life, is one of the best and most lifelike Tudor portraits I’ve ever seen. Like her Tudor relatives, Mary understood the importance of portraits for political means. She is painted here with plenty of pomp, and also an admirable amount of authenticity. She doesn’t appear to be artificially glossed over, or smoothed out. She is just herself. One vanity Mary had was in clothing, and jewels. She liked to dress in the embellished French fashion, which was very decorative, and considered gaudy by the Spanish. One disapproving Spanish source said: “The Queen is not at all beautiful: she is small, with a white complexion and has no eyebrows. She is a perfect saint and dresses badly.” A slightly more favorable description of the Queen during this time comes from the Venetian Ambassador Soranzo, who wrote: “Her eyes are white and large…her face is round, with a nose rather low and wide, and were her age not on the decline she might be called handsome.” I’ve used the lifelike Antonis Mor image for my re-creation, and then also created a younger version of Mary from it as well, which I will be posting soon. Find us here: Instagram: @Royalty_Now_ X: @Royalty_Now Tik Tok: @RoyaltyNow Patreon: Patreon.com/RoyaltyNow RoyaltyNowStudios.com This video creation and final image are ©Royalty Now.