12,000 soldiers. 300+ servants. Fireworks. Tapestries. Jewels.*
On this day in Tudor history, 20th July 1554, Prince Philip of Spain landed in England to marry Queen Mary I — and he didn’t exactly travel light!

I’m Claire Ridgway, historian and author, and in today’s video I’m taking you behind the scenes of one of the most politically charged royal arrivals in English history.

Philip wasn’t just Mary’s groom — he was heir to one of the most powerful empires in Europe, and his visit sparked rebellion, changed English law, and led to one of the most controversial marriages in the Tudor period.

Discover:

- Why Parliament restricted Philip’s power before he even set foot on English soil
- How his epic journey was marked by **diplomatic theatre and imperial symbolism** - The tension between ...