Loss of Calais
England loses Calais to French forces during Mary's reign
Role range: 1551-1559 – 1553-1558
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Mary I Biography and Timeline — Page 7
Follow Mary I through 274 dated historical records for England.
Mary I, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
274Distinct records
7 of 7Page
1558–1558Years on this page
1558
Rule of Calais Ends
English rule of Calais ends after more than two centuries
Role range: 1551-1559 – 1553-1558
Guisnes Falls
French forces capture Guisnes after Calais falls
Role range: 1551-1559 – 1553-1558
Guisnes Lost
Guisnes falls after the loss of Calais
Role range: 1551-1559 – 1553-1558
Calais Relief Ordered
Mary's government attempts to respond as French forces attack Calais
Role range: 1551-1559 – 1553-1558
Second Pregnancy Belief
Mary again believes herself pregnant but no child is born
Role range: 1553-1558
Second Pregnancy Belief
Mary again believes she is pregnant but no child is born
Role range: 1553-1558
Pregnancy Disappointment
Mary's second suspected pregnancy proves false and succession anxiety grows
Role range: 1553-1558
Second False Pregnancy
Mary's second expected pregnancy proves false and succession anxiety increases
Role range: 1553-1558
Cateau Peace Instructions
Authorises detailed instructions for English commissioners negotiating peace with France while the loss of Calais remains a central issue.
Role range: 1553-1558
Council Discusses Succession
Mary's councillors prepare for Elizabeth's succession as Mary's illness worsens
Role range: 1553-1558
Health Declines
Mary's health worsens as councillors prepare for succession
Role range: 1553-1558
Health of Mary I
Mary's health declines sharply in the final months of her reign
Role range: 1553-1558
Elizabeth Recognized
Mary accepts Elizabeth as successor under pressure from her councillors
Role range: 1553-1558
Elizabeth Recognized
Mary recognizes Elizabeth as successor under pressure from her councillors
Role range: 1553-1558
Succession
Under pressure from councillors Mary recognizes Elizabeth as her successor
Role range: 1553-1558
Rumours of Death
Rumours of Mary's death spread before the official announcement
Role range: 1553-1558
Calais Lament
Later tradition links Mary's deathbed grief with the loss of Calais
Role range: 1553-1558
Calais Lament
Later tradition links Mary's deathbed sorrow with the loss of Calais
Role range: 1553-1558
Death of Mary I
Death of Mary I at St James Palace
Role range: 1553-1558
Death of Mary I
Mary I dies and Elizabeth succeeds to the throne
Role range: 1553-1558
Death of Mary I
Mary dies and Elizabeth succeeds to the English throne
Role range: 1553-1558
Death of Mary I
Mary dies at St James Palace after a reign of five years
Role range: 1553-1558
Death of Mary I
Mary dies at St James Palace and her reign ends
Role range: 1553-1558
Memory of Calais
Mary's reign ends with Calais remembered as a severe political loss
Role range: 1553-1558
Succession Rival Claim
After Mary I dies the French court backs Mary Queen of Scots claim to England and Ireland
Role range: 1553-1558
Catholic Restoration Ends
Mary dies and the Catholic restoration soon gives way to Elizabeth’s settlement.
Role range: 1553-1558
Marian Persecutions End
Mary's death ends the burnings of Protestants carried out during her reign
Role range: 1553-1558
Marian Persecutions End
Mary's death ends the burnings of Protestants under her regime
Role range: 1553-1558
Will and Succession
Mary accepts arrangements that allow Elizabeth to succeed peacefully
Role range: 1553-1558
Declaration of War
Mary continues war against France on the side of Spain and Philip II
Role range: 1553-1558
False Pregnancy
Mary mistakenly believes herself to be pregnant during her final year
Role range: 1553-1558
War with France Continues
Mary's war against France continues after the loss of Calais
Role range: 1553-1558
Pole Suspended as Legate
Mary accepts Pole’s suspension as papal legate during conflict with Rome.
Role range: 1553-1558
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.