Mary is one of the more notorious monarchs on record, due in large part to her relentless persecution of Protestants earning her the moniker of “Bloody Mary.” But was this reputation earned?

Mary’s brutality was not unique to the 16th century, but the lens of history loves to vilify women for doing the same things their male counterparts do. Mary’s reign is chalk full of religious upheaval and reform in England. Following the death of Henry VIII (good riddance!), England had two religions contending for supremacy.

The reign of Mary Tudor represents Catholicism’s last gasping, violent breath. Not to mention the karmic balancing to all Henry VIII’s bullshit (ugh – we can’t hate him enough!) We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, kids. Religious fundamentalism is bad!