Mary I’s Pregnancies Explained: London Celebrated a Prince… But There Was No Baby

In 1555, London celebrated the birth of a prince. Church bells rang. Te Deums were sung. Birth announcements were prepared. Only… there was no baby. Mary I didn’t just believe she was pregnant, she showed physical signs. But there was no baby. In this video, I take a closer look at Mary I’s two mysterious pregnancies - in 1554–55 and again in 1557–58 - and explore what may really have happened. Was it: • A genuine but failed pregnancy? • A phantom pregnancy (pseudocyesis) brought on by immense pressure to produce an heir? • Or something medical - possibly a pituitary tumour, as suggested by Milo Keynes? I examine the historical evidence, contemporary reports, Mary’s long-standing health issues, and the medical theories that may explain her symptoms: missed periods, milk secretion, abdominal swelling, headaches, failing eyesight, depression, and confusion in her final year. If you haven’t yet watched my full Beginner’s Guide to Mary I, I recommend starting there for the wider context of her life and reign - https://youtu.be/P_HVywkSww0 If you enjoy thoughtful, evidence-based deep dives into Tudor lives and mysteries, don’t forget to subscribe. #MaryI #BloodyMary #TudorHistory #PhantomPregnancy #Tudors #HenryVIII #ElizabethI #BritishHistory #WomenInHistory #HistoryExplained