When Spain Came to England: Philip of Spain’s Grand Arrival

Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

12,000 soldiers. 300+ servants. Fireworks. Tapestries. Jewels.*
On this day in Tudor history, 20th July 1554, Prince Philip of Spain landed in England to marry Queen Mary I — and he didn’t exactly travel light!
I’m Claire Ridgway, historian and author, and in today’s video I’m taking you behind the scenes of one of the most politically charged royal arrivals in English history.
Philip wasn’t just Mary’s groom — he was heir to one of the most powerful empires in Europe, and his visit sparked rebellion, changed English law, and led to one of the most controversial marriages in the Tudor period.
Discover:
- Why Parliament restricted Philip’s power before he even set foot on English soil
- How his epic journey was marked by **diplomatic theatre and imperial symbolism** - The tension between Spanish ambition and English sovereignty
- And whether this marriage was doomed from the start…
From triumphant pageantry to political paranoia — this is the full story of Philip of Spain’s dramatic entry into Tudor England.
Also watch: Mary I marries Philip of Spain – 25 July 1554 - https://youtu.be/289MSTDoZHA
Full source: Philip’s Journey to England – Spanish Relaciones (PDF)] - https://uvadoc.uva.es/bitstream/handle/10324/58553/TFG_F_2022_043.pdf?sequence=1
Let me know in the comments — **Was Philip’s marriage to Mary political brilliance, a mistake, personal tragedy… or all of them?
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