MBTI Type: ISFJ

Mary’s father calls her a “simple and uncomplicated girl,” saying that she is kinder and gentler than her sister and has less ambition. It’s true, Mary is respectful of how thing are done and how life works; she does not mind being engaged to a man she does not love, and tries to make him a dutiful wife. It concerns her when he passively accepts her new role at court, even though both of them know she will become the king’s mistress and have no choice in the matter—Mary wanted to live a simple life in the country, and winds up there after her family’s downfall. She is appalled when her sister risks her reputation to marry without their father’s consent, to someone who is already “contracted” elsewhere, and tells on Anne. Mary respects the queen’s position of authority and is content to abide by the unspoken rules of court. She has a quiet manner about her, and is easily able to connect to others and comprehend them on an emotional level; Anne’s determination to dethrone Katharine horrifies her, because it injures the queen, and she is considerate of her husband’s feelings in her “forced” affair with Henry. Mary expresses her own feelings when asked, but reluctantly goes along with her family’s schemes surrounding the king to keep them happy. Others showing her unkindness or disapproving of her behaviors hits her hard. Her analytical side shows in her questioning of her sister’s motives (“Why does she do this?”) and her ability to think about the consequences of their actions. Like her mother, Mary worries about the future and the unknown consequences of her sisters’ actions. She flees the castle in the middle of the night when Anne determines a course of action Mary fears will lead to her downfall, so she is not caught in the middle of it.

Enneagram: 9w1 so/sp

Mary is over-adjusted to her plight in life; though she doesn’t want to become the king’s mistress, she easily adapts to him and even falls in love with him, because he is tender and generous with her. Even though it upsets her that Anne sabotages her and intends to take the king, whom she loves, away from her, Mary still forgives her, offers to help her out of a “peace offering,” and stays at court when asked, to provide her moral support, even though she wants to flee into the country. She is somewhat naïve and idealistic, sweet and temperate in her manners, and stands out vividly against Anne in her quiet, demure nature. But she also has strong, forceful 1ish opinions—she doesn’t want any part of her family’s wicked behaviors and feels guilt for the things she does wrong. She wants to believe the best of her loved ones, and see them do good things rather than be self-serving. Mary is fearless in her desire to stand up for her sister at the end, but also idealistic in her hope that Henry will spare Anne’s life.