who did queen mary marry?
Philip II of Spain
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 Mary was described by contemporaries as " tall and admirably shaped " , and sought as a bride for James , Duke of York , by Lord Peterborough . Lord Peterborough was groom of the stole to the Duke of York . A widower , James was the younger brother and heir of Charles II of England . Duchess Laura was not initially forthcoming with a reply to Peterborough 's proposal , hoping , according to the French ambassador , for a " grander " match with the eleven @-@ year @-@ old Charles II of Spain . Whatever the reason for Laura 's initial reluctance , she finally accepted the proposal on behalf of Mary , and they were married by proxy on 30 September 1673 NS . 

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 Ultimately , Elizabeth would insist she was married to her kingdom and subjects , under divine protection . In 1599 , she spoke of " all my husbands , my good people " . 

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 At age 37 , Mary turned her attention to finding a husband and producing an heir , thus preventing the Protestant Elizabeth ( still next @-@ in @-@ line under the terms of Henry VIII 's will and the Act of Succession of 1544 ) from succeeding to the throne . Edward Courtenay and Reginald Pole were both mentioned as prospective suitors , but her cousin Charles V suggested she marry his only son , Prince Philip of Spain . Philip had a son from a previous marriage and was heir apparent to vast territories in Continental Europe and the New World . As part of the marriage negotiations , a portrait of Philip , by Titian , was sent to her in September 1553 . 

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 John and Sarah were both Protestants in a predominantly Catholic court , a circumstance that would influence their political allegiances . Although no date was recorded , the marriage was announced only to the Duchess of York , and a small circle of friends , so that Sarah could keep her court position as Maid of Honour . 

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 Mary was eloquent and especially tall by sixteenth @-@ century standards ( she attained an adult height of 5 feet 11 inches or 1 @.@ 80 m ) , while Henry II 's son and heir , Francis , stuttered and was abnormally short . Henry commented that " from the very first day they met , my son and she got on as well together as if they had known each other for a long time " . On 4 April 1558 , Mary signed a secret agreement bequeathing Scotland and her claim to England to the French crown if she died without issue . Twenty days later , she married the Dauphin at Notre Dame de Paris , and Francis became king consort of Scotland . 
