The co-monarchy of Mary I and Philip II put England at the heart of early modern Europe. This positive reassessment of their joint reign counters a series of parochial, misogynist and anti-Catholic assumptions, correcting the many myths that have grown up around the marriage and explaining the reasons for its persistent marginalisation in the historiography of sixteenth-century England. Using new archival discoveries and original sources, the book argues for Mary as a great Catholic queen, while fleshing out Philip’s important contributions as king of England. It demonstrates the many positive achievements of this dynastic union in everything from culture, music and art to cartography, commerce and exploration. An important corrective for anyone interested in the history of Tudor England and Habsburg Spain.

‘Informative, well illustrated and with plenty of rich detail, this thought-provoking study dismantles many of the myths about Mary and Philip and their joint reign as monarchs of England.’
Linda Porter, Literary Review

'This is a truly excellent revisionist study of the reign of Mary I, and should be read by specialists and students so that rehabilitation of Mary I can continue.'
Valerie Schutte, Royal Studies Journal

'...an essential reference work for any early modern royal studies scholar.'
The Catholic Historical Review

'On the level of close reading of texts to explore their meanings and possible significance, this book is a triumph. Where other scholars have shied away from exploring the Anglo-Spanish story due to incomplete sources, Samson has found a way to get substantial mileage from a range of legal, literary, and polemical documents to show the intermixing and hybridity of English and Spanish culture and politics during Mary and Philip’s reign.'
Freddy C. Domínguez, British Catholic History

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Alexander Samson is Reader in Early Modern Studies at University College London