To
insure the succession of a Catholic heir, she was most desirous
of having a son by her consort,
Philip, and she constantly prayed and wished for pregnancy.
Finally her menses stopped; the breasts began to enlarge and
became discolored around the nipples. She had morning-sickness of
a violent nature and her abdomen enlarged. On consultation with
the ladies of her court, her opinion of pregnancy was strongly
confirmed. Her favorite amusement then was to make baby-clothes
and count on her fingers the months of pregnancy. When the end of
the ninth month approached, the people were awakened one night by
the joyous peals of the bells of London announcing the new heir.
An ambassador had been sent to tell the Pope that Mary could feel
the new life within her, and the people rushed to St. Paul's
Cathedral to listen to the venerable Archbishop of Canterbury
describe the baby-prince and give thanks for his deliverance. The
spurious labor pains passed away, and after being assured that no
real pregnancy existed in her case, Mary went into violent
hysterics, and Philip, disgusted with the whole affair, deserted
her; then commenced the persecution of the Protestants, which
blighted the reign.
Putnam cites the case of a healthy brunet, aged forty, the mother
of three children.
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