Mary Baynton facts for kids
Mary Baynton (born around 1515) was a woman from England who said she was Princess Mary, the daughter of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. She made this claim in Boston, Lincolnshire. Her claims were taken seriously for a short time because of the confusing political situation back then. However, after people looked into her story, she was thought to be mistaken and was later ignored.
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Mary Baynton's Story
Mary Baynton was born in about 1515. Her father, Thomas Baynton, lived in Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire. In September 1533, when Mary was 18 years old, she told people in Boston, Lincolnshire, that she was Princess Mary. Princess Mary was the oldest daughter of King Henry VIII.
Why Her Claim Was Taken Seriously
Just a few months before Mary Baynton made her claim, Princess Mary had been declared illegitimate. This meant she was removed from the list of people who could become queen. This happened because King Henry VIII had gone against the Pope's authority to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
Because of all this confusion and big changes in the country, some people actually listened to Mary Baynton's claims. Some even offered to help her travel to Spain. They hoped she could get support there to be recognized as the true heir to the throne.
What Happened Next
Officials soon arrested Mary Baynton and investigated her story. They decided that she was not Princess Mary. Instead, they thought she was a person who truly believed her own story, even if it wasn't true.
Historians have looked into Mary Baynton's life, but it's not fully clear what happened to her after this. It seems she was left alone and went on to live a quiet life.
Other Famous Pretenders
Throughout history, there have been other people who claimed to be someone they were not, often to gain power or a throne. Here are a few examples:
- Lambert Simnel claimed to be Edward Plantagenet, 17th Earl of Warwick.
- Perkin Warbeck said he was Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York.
- John Deydras claimed to be the real Edward II.
