Mary I of England (lived 1516-1558) is commonly known
in history as "Bloody Mary" because of her executions of
Protestants (the Marian Persecutions). Mary I was the
daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Following
the controversial divorce of her parents, her legitimacy was
called into question. Following the death of Mary's
father, Henry VIII, the throne went to her half-brother, Edward
VI. Following Edward's death, and a brief stint on the
throne by Lady Jane Grey, Mary became queen. She ruled
England from 1553 until her death in 1558. At age 37, Mary
married her first cousin once removed, the future Philip II of
Spain. The couple had no children and, upon Mary's death
in 1558, the English throne went to her half-sister, Elizabeth
I. Click
here to enlarge.