Bloody Mary: Tudor Terror, 1553–1558 (History of Terror)

Not a long book, but covers the history well enough for me. Yes, slanted some toward Mary, but, if you accept his psychological analysis of her, explains, but does not support her character or her actions.

Description:Bloody Mary, Tudor Terror by Phil Carradice was received direct from the publisher. Most everyone has heard the urban legend of Bloody Mary, if not then go BING it, I will wait. The real Bloody Mary’s reign of terror ran between 1553 - 1558. If you follow my reviews, you will note I mostly review horror and the short reign of Bloody Mary Tudor, after all her nickname is such for a reason, was as horrific as many of the modern horror tomes that are published. Mary’s reign saw 284 people burned to death, about 57 a year, a little over one a week. This does not seem that bad for the size of the British Empire, however the diligent reader will have to read for themselves what was so “Bloody” about Mary Tudor. To not go into plot, Mary’s bloody reign was about Religion. The book contains many pictures though they are SFW pics. If you or someone you buy gifts for likes English history, is interested in Bloody Mary or possibly even studies religion, give this book a read.4 stars

This was a very interesting read about Mary Tudor who was the daughter of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. Mary Tudor reigned for 5 years and is most known for the hundreds of people put to death as a consequence of their Protestant faith.So, this was a bit of short book but I thought it covered her life well. It covered her whole life especially pointing out things in her life that helped to shape her into the woman she would become. It accurately depicts the terror that Mary brought upon the Protestants and the way in which they proudly went to their deaths. It goes into detail on some of those that were accused.This was definitely an easy read. It did not seem dense at all and I flew through it. This would be a great book to pick up if you are interested in Tudor History.Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an Arc of this book.

Not the easiest read despite it's brevity. Sometimes it didn't follow a linear timeline. His attempts at psychoanalysis of Mary's motives felt too simplistic and off base. Glosses over any achievements or governing progress. Mostly not a useful biography of England's second queen ruler.

I'm going to violate personal ethics and opine on a publication I do not intend to buy, as a general commentary in response to several comments posted here that perpetuate misunderstandings about Mary I:Depictions of Mary Tudor are too often mediated through anti-Catholicism and, quite likely, run-of-the-mill sexism, however unconscious. Elizabethan era propaganda has thus served its purpose for centuries. "Bloody" Mary's record of executions doesn't hold a candle to those of her father, which have been calculated to have been anything between 57,000 to 72,000. Even accounting for the length of his reign, much longer than hers, her numbers pale in comparison to his. Moreover, her half-sister, Elizabeth I, also persecuted and executed a fair number of victims for their religious belief, only not by burning them for religious heresy, as Mary did. but by masking their acts as treason and executing them through the good old proven method that their father so blood-thirstily applied.I appreciate that the author of this book, in the excerpt available, acknowledges the propagandist thrust of Foxe's work. But that isn't sufficient for me, especially since, going by those who have read the book and posted comments here, it seems that he perpetuates the moniker by which Mary has unfairly gained historical notoriety.

This is a quick and easy read about a complex subject but the author nonetheless presents quite a detailed account. Phil Carradice draws on the historical document - Foxe’s Book of Martyrs to describe the murders of Protestant men and women and the horror of what they went through. As you would expect, given the subject matter, it’s sometimes morbid reading. A hell on Earth, which was the intent behind Mary’s barbarism towards Protestants, as far as I can understand.Carradice puts forward his own opinions about why he thinks Mary acted as she did. He blames an oppressed childhood - “Maybe ... the subsequent burnings were little more than the furious lashing out of the repressed adolescent who has been frustrated in her desires and wishes“. He compares Mary’s behaviour to that of a thwarted teenager. I personally don’t agree with the authors adolescent comparison but I agree with the author’s summary about the Marian burnings being the result of a religious fanatic. I think his description of Mary as a murderous, cold hearted tyrant is more accurate. Mary is described as doing some good things during her reign, that are over shadowed by her murderous campaign against mostly ordinary men and women who refused to attend Catholic religious services. In fact, Mary’s men went even further than that and peep holes were installed in one church to see if people were really listening and not nodding off or looking bored.Carradice believes that Mary was not, necessarily a bad person - just a sad one. Bad or sad, she knew exactly what she was doing but religion, as repeated again and again throughout history and in recent times, is used to obtain power and revenge and Mary certainly had strong desires for revenge.

Wonderful cover, really grabs your attention. Mary is not nearly so often written about as he sister Elizabeth but this volume doe her (and her short reign) total justice.

Great book. Easy to read and very informative.