1553–1558

Mary Tudor's Catholic restoration

After Edward VI's death in 1553, Mary Tudor came to the throne. She repealed her brother's Protestant laws and in late 1554 returned England to Roman obedience. She also married Philip of Spain.

From 1555 onward brutal persecution unfolded. About three hundred Protestants were burned, including bishops Latimer and Ridley (October 1555). Archbishop Cranmer was burned too. Before his execution he recanted his forced recantation and thrust his signing right hand into the flames first.

The persecution earned the queen the nickname "Bloody Mary". But, contrary to its aim, it only strengthened English sympathy for Protestantism. Many Protestants fled to the continent, where they absorbed more radical Reformed ideas.