Edward the Sixth (12th October 1537 - 6th July 1553)
and Mary Tudor (18th February 1516 - 19th November 1558)

Mary tried to put everything back to where it was before Edward's reign. The old services were restored. The Mass, the altars, the elaborate vestments were all back again. In 1555, laws were passed which made it illegal to be a Protestant. She reversed the recent changes without really trying to win the hearts and minds of her people. Terror, rather than persuasion, was used. Many Protestants, such as Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer, were executed. Others fled to the continent. Some were protected by powerful politicians, and came out of hiding after Mary's death.

In 1554, Mary married Philip II of Spain. The marriage was unpopular, as most people resented the thought of being governed by a foreign King. The link with Spain led to war with France. That cost money, led to higher taxes, and went badly wrong. When Mary died in 1558, she was not greatly missed.