Page "Mary I of England" Paragraph 10

From 1531, Mary was often sick with irregular menstruation and depression, although it is not clear whether this was caused by stress, puberty or a more deep-seated disease.

She was not permitted to see her mother, who had been sent to live away from court by Henry.

In early 1533, Henry married Anne Boleyn, who was pregnant with his child, and in May Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, formally declared the marriage with Catherine void, and the marriage to Anne valid.

Henry broke with the Roman Catholic Church and declared himself head of the Church of England.

Catherine was demoted to Dowager Princess of Wales ( a title she would have held as the widow of Arthur ), and Mary was deemed illegitimate.

She was styled " The Lady Mary " rather than Princess, and her place in the line of succession was transferred to her newborn half-sister, Elizabeth, Anne's daughter.

Mary's own household was dissolved ; her servants ( including the Countess of Salisbury ) were dismissed from her service, and in December 1533 she was sent to join the household of the infant Elizabeth at Hatfield, Hertfordshire.