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Early Life (c.1522-1538)
Mary was born the eldest daughter to Sir Richard Campbell and his wife Lady Catherine Rush. Her birth date is unclear, but it was probably 1522 as she was described as "twenty years of age" in 1542. Sir Richard was the third son of the Duke of Essex who squandered much of his wealth of elaborate clothing, houses and prostitutes. As a result, the Campbell family were near destitution at the time of Mary’s birth. Out of desperate circumstances Mary was sent to live as a ward to the Duchess of Norfolk in Surrey in 1530 when she was aged about nine. Consequently, young Mary was given limited education and barley knew how to read and write. She did however, know how to play the flute and was an avid painter.

The Duchess of Norfolk to little inclination to Mary and the rules at the manor were lax. Furthermore, it is evident that Mary had begun a relationship with a number of men of whom either seduced her, or she sought excitement with. The first was a gentleman named Thomas Hart, but it was unlikely that the relationship was actually consummated. The Duchess was not aware of the affairs. In 1536 at the age of about 14, Mary fell in love with a gentleman of the area James Worth. The two undoubtedly consummated the marriage the even promised to marry one another. However it was an impossible marriage, as Mary was of high birth and despite her impoverished background her father would never allow for her to marry below her rank. Before Mary could further contemplate the matter, her father died and in 1538 at the age of 16 she moved to London to become a lady-in-waiting to Princess Catherine.

Though she lacked intelligence, charm and grace Mary was generally praised for her rare physical beauty and loving disposition. The Venetian ambassador described Mary as "not that tall, long blonde hair which she covered up modestly, large blue eyes and crimson coloured lips". Thomas Rush who was a courtier also agreed with her beauty "a long neck, oval face with pleasant blue eyes."

Court (1538-1540)
At 16, Mary was beautiful, vivacious and sexually attractive. She was much more experienced in the art of seduction compared to her other ladies in waiting. Moreover, Mary caught the eye of a number of eligible young men in court including the Thomas Howard, and the two began a love affair. Her mistress, Lady Anne Ashley, however found about the affair and chastised Mary. The whole affair was kept secret and Lady Ashley convinced Howard to leave to the country. Lest rumours begin Lady Ashley also arranged that Mary briefly return back to Surrey. It has been suggested that Mary continued her affair with Hart and this has been supported by a letter recently discovered written by Hart to Mary: "dearest beloved, I pray that you return back from your obligations and hence become my wife again".

It is unlikely that Mary returned these sentiments for Hart, and by late August she was asked to return back to court by Lady Ashley. At this point only Lady Ashley knew of the affair between Mary and Howard and was adamant on having it kept quiet. The reason for this has been disputed. Fraser argues that Lady Ashley was aware of the game in which Mary was to play with the monarch and thought bribery could be used for keeping the affair quiet. Ives however disagrees, suggesting that she kept quiet as she had grown genuine fondness to Mary.

It was around that time in 1539 that she was presented to the ageing monarch as a potential mistress by her uncles. Mary was little more than a pawn in an elaborate game her family played to gain precedence in court. The whole presentation was carefully planned and Mary was trained before hand on how to receive the King and what to say. She was also warned by Lady Ashley that the monarch was to take her as a virgin, and if she did not convince the King then her whole families lives were at stake. Mary passed with flying colours and the King was soon besotted with the beautiful teenager.

During the start of the Kings courtship of Mary, Edward asked Lady Anne to personally write him a analysis of her character. Lady Anne wrote thus: "the maiden is the epitome of purity, the model of chastity and kindness. Her character and fondness of your Majesty is known amongst her friends, she devout much her time to prayer and painting of which she was renowned. Despite her youth and beauty, the lady has remained as unsullied as the day she was born from her mothers womb".

Mistress
Initially Mary’s uncles the Duke Chamberlain and Duke of Clarence were reluctant to have Mary mistress of the King Edward. They feared that she was too uncultured, lacked proper education or decorum. However she was nevertheless attractive, effervescent and the promise of youth was enticing to the monarch. Warwick argues that the Duke’s both feared that Edward would find out about the fact that Mary was not a virgin. Morgan however criticises Warwick’s assumption, claiming it would very unlikely or even impossible for the Duke’s not to present a virgin to Edward as a potential bride. Lady Ashley taught Mary of the way she should conduct herself in front of the monarch, and Mary was able to completely change her personality around the Edward. He preferred docile, gentle women and Mary was able to give off a purity and ingenuity which further ignited his passions.

Lady Ashley a long with the Duke of Chamberlain and Clarence told Mary that if she was to fall pregnant then the dynasty would be secure and the Campbell family’s power would be reinstituted once again. It is most likely that Edward could not impregnate his mistress so Mary concocted a tale, telling him that she was indeed pregnant. A quick marriage ceremony was arranged.

Marriage (1540-1541)
In July 1540 Mary and Edward were married in a secret and swift ceremony at Hever Castle. Mary was then aged about 18, Edward was then just turned 50. Edward indulged his teenage bride in expensive clothing, jewels, furnishings and palaces. She was given her own private estate in Norwich and an entourage of thirteen young women of her own choice. But despite the finest clothes and property, Mary was dissatisfied with the King. She was repulsed at the idea of sleeping with him and often went to her private estates for days on a time. Lady Ashley saw the need for Mary to produce an heir and had a controversial new plan which she hid from her uncles. Lady Ashley invited Thomas Howard to Mary’s private cottage in Hampstead Heath and Mary privately met him in late 1540. The two fell in love again, and with the backing of Lady Ashley and support of her other ladies-in-waiting the two began an affair.

Nevertheless Mary had to project the image of subservient wife and adopted the motto of "His will be mine"; supposedly to allude to the fact Mary was constantly devoted to her ailing husband. The truth couldn’t be any further, Mary was known for hosting lavish parties and acting in a manner which was regarded as unbecoming of a Queen. She spent her allowance like water, purchasing four puppies, expensive clothes, jewels and her favourite pastimes where dancing and painting. The decadent lifestyle resulted in the Kings advisers urging the King to send a letter requesting the Queen to reduce her spending. The Queen was also conducting a discreet affair with her once love Thomas Howard under the care of Lady Anne and the other ladies-in-waiting. She however, foolishly appointed him as her personal secretary though it was evident that Mary seldom wrote. Mary also appointed former wards of the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk as her ladies-in-waiting, an act which would ultimately result in her grisly demise.

Downfall and Death (1542)
Rumours spread around the court of the Queen’s indiscretions, the first documented rumour being a letter dated April of 1552. The King is said to have thought nothing of the rumours, and publicly defended his wife’s virtue naming her, and in court titled her "most gracious Queen, epitome of virtue and model of purity." However, the Duke of Clarence’s enemies were eager to use this to crush the Duke’s influence and began privately investigating the Queen.

By procuring evidence from bribing the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting the Queen’s hidden past and present was slowly uncovered. The evidence was presented to the King during his prayers in July of 1542, and though reluctant to believe at first, the evidence procured from torture and written documents were overwhelming. Initially the Queen was not told of this, but informed that she was under house arrest. Morgan claims that it was the Lady Anne who was informed and told the Queen who “shaking and crying, begged to see the King”.

Prisoner
In late July Thomas Howard confessed his intimate relation with the Queen under severe torture and was sentenced to being hanged and drawn. The Queen was also interviewed and asked about her past of which she confessed everything. Most historians believe that the confession was all true, as Mary had been promised pardon if she confess the truth. However it was all a lie. She was imprisoned under horrendous conditions; on August 1st Howard was executed as was Lady Anne and three of her ladies-in-waiting. On August 2nd the marriage was declared "null and void" on account of Mary’s previous sexual liaisons and her "deception of the Kings Bounty and Grace."

Execution
Mary was given her last mass in October 12th 1542, and penned her last letter to the King. The letter was however rejected and unopened by the King, and its contents are forever lost. It was probably her last confession, pleading forgiveness. It was reported that Mary stayed up the night before her execution in constant prayer and tears. In an attempt to save her life her supporters attempted to spread the rumour that she was pregnant, but this was probably false.

She was taken to the scaffold at noon by her priest and ladies-in-waiting. There she made a short talk saying “My people, my King and my God. I am sorry, forgive me.” Mary attempted to die in dignity, adorning herself in white attire and covering her hair “modestly”, however when she was blindfolded Mary began crying and screaming “I don’t want to die! I’m innocent!” After a brief struggle to pacify her and with screams and tears Mary was executed with one swift cut. She was only 20 years old.