Mary I of England

St James's Palace, 17 November 1558

Mary I died at St James's Palace on 17 November 1558, aged 42 years and nine months. Even modern accounts disagree on the hour: Historic Royal Palaces gives approximately 4–5 a.m., while a medical-historical study gives 7 a.m.

Her prolonged final illness was marked by fever, abdominal swelling, headaches, confusion and failing vision. Proposed explanations include a reproductive-system cancer, influenza or another fever, ovarian disease and a pituitary tumour; the medical-historical study leaves the question unresolved.

Queen by the same day

The crown passed immediately to her half-sister Elizabeth, whose accession proclamation treated subjects' allegiance as beginning from the time of Mary's death.

Elizabeth was at Hatfield when Mary died and was proclaimed queen in London that same day. A London company record says caps and gloves were thrown into the air at the Cheapside proclamation at 11 a.m.

What did not change that day

Philip II, Mary's frequently absent consort, acquired no continuing right to rule England after her death.

England's formal religious settlement was not altered on accession day; the principal parliamentary settlement came in 1559.

Among Mary's effects was a prayer book opened to intercessions for expectant mothers; Historic Royal Palaces says the page was stained with tears.