'Matters Impertinent to Women': Male and Female Monarchy under Philip and Mary

An examination of the marriage of Spain's Philip of Habsburg to Mary Tudor, Queen of England, in the 1500s was made to show how male and female monarchy work. Although 16th-century sociology dictated that husbands were masters of their wives, King Philip was given only a vague constitutional right to help his wife in ruling over England. However, King Philip did turn out as the masculine factor in Mary's sole monarchy. Aside from handling military matters and helping in the administration of the country, King Philip also 'aided' in other matters that are impertinent to women.