This is the Tudors Dynasty podcast.

And now, a brief history with Christine Morgan. Hi, I'm Christine Morgan,

and welcome to A Brief History. On this episode, we begin our chapter on Queen Mary

I of England and how her reign impacted the city of London, as told, of course, by Sir Walter Besant, in his account, London

in the time of the Tudors. Mary's reign is short, but her attempts to reverse course after her

brother's Protestant reign are often told as great tragedies in the nation's history. However, the image of a cruel, cold-hearted,

and ultimately weak ruler are not necessarily true, as we'll learn. Let's jump back into our story.

It was on the evening of the 3rd of August that Mary made her entry into the city, accompanied

by her half-sister Elizabeth. She came from New Hall in Essex, where a few days before,

she had received a deputation from the city with a present of 500 pounds in gold. At the

bars of Altgate, she was met by the mayor, who gave her the

city sword. In the order of the procession, it is related by a contemporary as follows.

Quote, first, the citizen's children walked before her magnificently dressed. After, followed gentlemen,

habited in velvet of all sorts,

some black, others in white, yellow, violet, and carnation.

Others wore satins or taffity,

some damask of all colors,

having plenty of gold buttons.

Afterward followed the mayor with the city companies and the chiefs or masters of the several trades.

After them, the lords richly habited in the most considerable knights.

Next came the ladies, married and single, in the midst of whom was the queen herself,

mounted on a small white ambling nag, the housings of which were fringed with gold thread.

...