‘Richards gently but firmly pulls apart the traditional prejudices to reveal a far more dynamic, intelligent and successful political operator than anyone had imagined. …This biography is very readable and will prove extremely useful.’ – History Review ‘It does an able job of defending Mary against the charge of a being humourless, hysterical and catastrophic ruler … Dr Richards is especially good in producing a well-rounded portrait of the Queen’s own nature and of her overall life … Another of the book’s strengths is its sensitivity to the difference between the nature of things and perceptions of them … it is a good example of the art of biography, making a genuine contribution to our understanding of the woman and the Queen, and always an easy and entertaining read.’ – BBC History Magazine "Judith Richards has written a smart, intelligent biography of Mary I that is suitable for assigning to undergraduates but is also a salutary reminder to all of us how distorted preconceived notions can be." - Sixteenth Century Journal ‘Richards gently but firmly pulls apart the traditional prejudices to reveal a far more dynamic, intelligent and successful political operator than anyone had imagined. …This biography is very readable and will prove extremely useful.’ – History Review ‘It does an able job of defending Mary against the charge of being a humourless, hysterical and catastrophic ruler … Dr Richards is especially good in producing a well-rounded portrait of the Queen’s own nature and of her overall life … Another of the book’s strengths is its sensitivity to the difference between the nature of things and perceptions of them … it is a good example of the art of biography, making a genuine contribution to our understanding of the woman and the Queen, and always an easy and entertaining read.’ – BBC History Magazine ‘Richards confronts all of the most difficult problems associated with Mary’s life and rule, including her health, the legal and political ambiguities inherent in the marriage she made with Philip of Spain, her phantom pregnancies, and her troubles with the papacy. . . Elegant and astute, Mary Tudor is a triumph.’ – Susan Wabuda, Fordham University, Journal of British Studies, volume 49, number 2