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to Home PageMary I's speech at the Guildhall
1554
The first year of Mary's reign witnessed a
Protestant rebellion led by
Sir
Thomas Wyatt. The uprising was sparked by her impending marriage to
Felipe II of
Spain. Mary gave this famous speech at the Guildhall appealing for her subjects'
loyalty and support. Recorded by John Foxe in the The Actes and Monuments of
these latter and perillous dayes.
'I am your Queen, to whom at my coronation, when I was wedded to the realm
and laws of the same (the spousal ring whereof I have on my finger, which never
hitherto was, not hereafter shall be, left off), you promised your allegiance
and obedience to me.... And I say to you, on the word of a Prince, I cannot tell
how naturally the mother loveth the child, for I was never the mother of any;
but certainly, if a Prince and Governor may as naturally and earnestly love her
subjects as the mother doth love the child, then assure yourselves that I, being
your lady and mistress, do as earnestly and tenderly love and favour you. And I,
thus loving you, cannot but think that ye as heartily and faithfully love me;
and then I doubt not but we shall give these rebels a short and speedy
overthrow'.
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