When most of us hear this haunting chant, it is at sleepovers, giggling with friends, or at graveyards on Halloween! This odd little saying doesn’t tell us much about itself. All we seem to know is that if you say “Bloody Mary,” three times into a mirror, a ghost will appear beside you.
But this begs the question, who IS Mary? And what brutal thing could she possibly have done to gain this nickname…and this myth?
Well, allow me to tell you a story…
A true one!
I’ll set the scene. The year is 1489. Your name is Catherine, and you have been selected to marry the future king of England- handsome, talented, and lovely-
Arthur.
And why wouldn’t Catherine be married to him? The treaty of Medina del Campo depended on it of course. And so, the two were wed happily for…five months.
Then Arthur passed away. Now, since Catherine was a foreign, grieving widow, far from home, her husband dead, and no family or friends around, naturally…
They imprisoned her for 5 years.
That is, until Henry came along. To marry his dead brother’s wife, of course. What else would he do? And so in 1509, Catherine was released and made to marry him. In 1516 The two gave birth to only one child…
Princess Mary of England.
Mary was loved deeply by her mother, but it is hard to hold a relationship with someone you’re forbidden to speak to. Why was Catherine so quiet, you might ask? Henry and her were separating. This is due to the fact that it is against the church to marry
your older brother’s widow
-HA-
Just kidding. That was a lame excuse Henry made. The REAL reason is that he was sick of Catherine and had an eye for one of his mistresses…Anne Boleyn. But the Priests didn’t approve of his new wife….
(Have you ever heard of the six wives of Henry VII?)
So OBVIOUSLY he created the Church of England!!!
With Henry’s new wife, the shift in the church, and the absence of her mother, Mary’s life quickly became confusing and unfortunate. She lost her royal status and influence not to mention her loving mother.
Luckily, she had her Catholic faith to devote herself to!!!…
After the death of Henry and her half-brother.
Mary became the first female monarch of England in 1553, at age 37.
Now remember that faith in Catholicism she clung to so dearly? She spent much of her reign in an attempt to return England to that religion.
So obviously, she prosecuted and murdered all Protestants.
Nearly 300 Protestants were burned at the stake, earning her the nickname,
“Bloody Mary”
She died knowing that her half sister, Queen Elizabeth the 1st, would undo her work and restore the Protestant church.
Now that you know who THAT charming piece of work is, you can go home and I can fall asleep
…
But…why the chant? Where did it begin? Does it WORK?
Well, the origins of chanting names in mirrors didn’t start with Bloody Mary. Other names were chanted too- this practice was referred to as Catoptromancy.
Catoptromancy became common in the 19th century, the myth being that if you chant a name three times into a mirror, the spirit of the deceased would appear behind you.
But why Mary?
I’m not quite sure…but she does have a chilling nickname so that might be it. More educated people have suggested that it is meant to represent the darkside of faith and femininity- and saying this woman’s name gives young people- particularly girls- a sense of rebellion and fear.
As a young girl I felt no such things.
Lastly, does it work?
Well, there is only one way to find out. Once it’s dark outside, and you’re the only one left awake in your house, creep to your mirror. DON’T turn on the lights….you will scare her off. Once you can see your own dark reflection, look a little closer. Make sure you’re alone.
Then slowly, clearly, speak
…
Bloody Mary.
…
Bloody Mary.
…
Bloody Mary.
…
But beware…the old queen may not be the only one watching you though the glass.
Please keep in mind that everything said in this document is the speculation of historians and myself. And if you are scared, offended, or angry from reading it…
I suggest drinking apple juice.
