| | | 1553 | Jun - Change to Edward VI's will |
| Edward signed a change to his earlier will or 'devise' and nominated Lady Jane Grey as heir to the English throne. The change was orchestrated by the Duke of Northumberland and Sir John Gates. Lady Jane Grey had married the Duke's son Guilford Dudley a few months earlier and the will initially stated that Janes's male heirs would be next in line. This was altered when is was seen the Edward would die before she had childen so that Jane herself could become Queen.
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| Jul - Mary gathers support |
| At Kenninghall Manor in Norfolk Mary called for support against the Duke of Northumberland and Lady Jane Grey. Large numbers of supporters gathered around her with supplies and weapons. |
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| Jul 6 - Death of Edward VI |
| Edward VI died at Greenwich Palace as the age of 15. |
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| Jul 10 - Lady Jane Grey proclaimed Queen |
| The Duke of Northumberland proclaimed that his daughter-in-law Lady Jane Grey was the next monarch of England. Jane was moved to the Tower of London. Although Northumberland controlled London many of the town's people supported Mary's claim to the throne. |
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| Jul 17 - Northumberland's final move |
| The Duke of Northumberland and a army of some 3,000 men travelled to Cambridge in an attempt to stop Mary. Moving on to Bury St. Edmunds the Duke came up against a much larger army supporting Mary. Accepting defeat, Northumberland was arrested and taken back to London to be held in the Tower. |
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| Aug 3 - Mary arrives in London |
| Mary Tudor arrived at London to a huge welcome. Entering through Aldgate she was met by Elizabeth, Anne of Cleves and many others. Mary quickly ordered the release of her supporters that had been locked up at the Tower of London. The Duke of Northumberland and his supporters were placed in the Tower to await trial and execution. |
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| Oct 1 - Mary Tudor crowned |
| The coronation of Mary Tudor took place at Westminster Abbey. Mary became the first true Queen of England. In the past, Matilda and Lady Jane Grey had come close but neither had ever been crowned. |
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| 1554 | Qtr 1 - Several plots against Queen Mary |
| Several groups around the country were unhappy with the proposal of marriage between Mary and Philip of Spain. In Wales a group was led by Sir James Croft. In Devon another group was led by Sir Peter Carew. The Duke of Suffolk was in Leicestershire, but it was only Sir Thomas Wyatt from Kent who managed to get a force together when the plots were uncovered. Wyatt's rebellion failed when he was unable to enter London and many of his supporters were killed. Wyatt was captured and executed on 11th of April 1554. Elizabeth was also held in the Tower for a while as it was suspected she was involved in the plots because she would have benefited if they had succeeded. |
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| Jul 25 - Marriage of Queen Mary and Philip of Spain |
| The marriage of Queen Mary and Philip of Spain took place. The marriage was conducted at Winchester Cathedral. |
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| 1557 | Jul 16 - Death of Anne of Cleves |
| Since the divorce from Henry VIII Anne had been given a good annual income and use of several homes. She died on the 16th or 17th of July, 1557. |
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| 1558 | Nov 17 - Queen Mary dies |
| Queen Mary died at the age of forty two. She was buried at Westminster Abbey. |
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