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Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen Regent of England in 1553 from July 10th to July 19th but was never crowned. This situation was similar to Matilda's in 1141 during the reign of King Stephen. Lady Jane was descended from Mary, a sister of Henry VIII and when Edward VI died in 1553 she was used as a pawn in a plot to take control of the English throne. The plot was led by John Dudley, the Duke of Northumberland whose son, Guilford, had just married Lady Jane. Before Edward's death the Duke had persuaded the King to amend his will. The change meant that Edward's sisters Mary and Elizabeth were no longer heirs to the throne and Lady Jane's sons should be made heirs instead. When it was clear that Edward's illness meant he would probably die before Jane had any children the will was amended again so state that Jane herself should become Queen. Edward died on July 6th 1553 but it was a few days before this was announced. On July 10th Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen Regent. The true heir the throne, Mary Tudor, had gone to Norfolk where she could raise support. That support was huge and when Northumberland attempted to prevent Mary returning to London his army was greatly outnumbered by Mary's. The Duke, his supporters and Lady Jane were all arrested and taken to the Tower of London. The Duke was executed and after a series of revolts in 1554, one led by Jane's father, at the age of sixteen Jane herself was executed. |
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Grey, Jane (Lady) (b.1537 - d.1554)
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