On this day in Tudor history, 20th January 1558, Queen Mary I opened her fifth Parliament—a moment steeped in political tension, personal heartbreak, and the shadow of impending loss. 

 

By this point in her reign, Mary was facing immense challenges, and this Parliament marked one of her final public appearances.

 

But Mary’s legacy is far more complex than her struggles. She was a queen who fought for her throne, restored Catholicism, and ruled with determination during one of England’s most tumultuous periods.

 

Join me as I explore this pivotal moment in Mary’s reign, the context of her fifth Parliament, and the tragic end of her story. Was her marriage to Philip of Spain her greatest mistake—or a bold political move?

 

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