historysquee: Lady Jane Grey, 1537 - 1554 Lady Jane Grey was born in 1537 and was the eldest daught

historysquee:

Lady Jane Grey, 1537 - 1554

Lady Jane Grey was born in 1537 and was the eldest daughter of Lady Frances Brandon and Henry Grey, the Duke of Suffolk and grandchild through her mother, to Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor, Queen of France. This, thanks to Henry VIII’s wishes, put Jane in line to the throne after Frances, Mary I and Elizabeth I.

Jane was brought up as a Protestant and she took her religion very seriously. She dressed in plain black clothes and had even had disagreements with Mary I over religion, including refusing to accept a Christmas present from her, during Edward VI’s reign. Jane was also very intelligent and was regarded as one of the most intelligent women of the day. She studied several languages, including Latin, French, Greek, Italian and Hebrew. 

Early in 1547, Jane was sent to be brought up in the household of Thomas Seymour and his wife Katherine Parr, who had been previously married to Henry VIII. Elizabeth I was also living in the household at this time and Jane shared her tutors. This was probably a happy time during Jane’s life and it is often suggested she was very close to Katherine, who had acted as a loving stepmother to Henry VIII’s children. When Katherine Parr died following complications during childbirth, Jane was chief mourner at the funeral. 

On 25th May 1553, Jane was married to Guildford Dudley, the son of the Lord Protector, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland. This marriage was part of the plot to put Jane on the throne and to keep his family powerful. John Dudley was to convince Edward VI to name Jane as his heir, which meant the Protestant faith could continue and the Lords who had pushed for it could keep their places, which would not happen if Mary I remained next in line. On 6th July 1553, Edward VI died. On 9th July Jane was proclaimed Queen, it is claimed that she was reluctant to take the crown from Mary, who was seen by many the rightful heir, but she eventually agreed in order to preserve her religion and because she had no other option. 

Jane was Queen for nine days. During this time she refused to allow Guildford to be named King, determined not to give her power over to her husband. Mary I gained support and marched on London, as she came closer Jane’s councillors left her and defected to Mary to save themselves. Jane was imprisoned and Mary I was proclaimed Queen. Mary does not appear to have wanted to execute Jane. She held off from signing the death warrant as long as she could. It was only after a failed rebellion attempt to put Jane back on the throne and a demand from her future husband to have Jane executed before their marriage that she gave in and signed. Mary I gave Jane chances to recant her Protestant religion and become Catholic, even offering to spare her if she did. Jane refused. 

On 12th February 1554, Guildford Dudley was executed for his part in the plot, Jane’s feelings about Guildford are not recorded. Jane was taken out next and was beheaded, aged 16 or 17.