Mary Baynton

Mary Baynton (born approximately 1515) was a woman from England, who claimed to be the Princess Mary, daughter of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

In September 1533, when Mary was 18, she publicly announced to the town of Boston, Lincolnshire, that she was Princess Mary, eldest daughter of Henry VIII.

Princess Mary had been declared illegitimate and removed from the line of succession a few months earlier when Henry had repudiated the authority of the Pope.

Amongst the confusion caused by these political events, Baynton's claims were considered seriously, with some individual even offering to fund her travel to Spain to win support to be recognised as heir to the throne.

[1] Baynton was arrested and investigated by officials, who dismissed her as a 'self-deluded lunatic'.