Biography
Biography
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Grey, Jane (Lady)

 Borncirca 1537   Born At
 Died12 February 1554  Buried At
 FatherGrey, Henry (Duke of Suffolk)  MotherBrandon, Frances (Lady)
 Borncirca 1537 / 
 Died12 February 1554 / 
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 King 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.

Related Episodes

Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Day Queen (click here)

Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Day Queen (click here)

Event Location Map (click image to explore)

Parents

Fantasy image of Grey, Henry (Duke of Suffolk)
Grey, Henry (Duke of Suffolk)
Fantasy image of Brandon, Frances (Lady)
Brandon, Frances (Lady)

 

Family Tree Details

Father:Grey, Henry (Duke of Suffolk) ( - ex.1554)
Mother:Brandon, Frances (Lady) (b.1517 - d.1559)
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 Grey, Jane (Lady) (b.1537? - ex.1554)
 Grey, Jane (Lady) (b.1537? - ex.1554)

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    1537

    Lady Jane Grey was born in around 1537 possibly at her father's estate Bradgate in Leicestershire. She was the daughter of Henry Grey, the Duke of Suffolk and Frances Brandon, the daughter of Mary Tudor, Queen of France.

    1553(Age: 16yrs)

    Edward VI signed a change to his earlier will or 'devise' and nominated Lady Jane Grey as heir to the English throne. The change was orchestrated by the John Dudley, duke of Northumberland and Sir John Gates. Lady Jane Grey had married the Duke's son Guilford Dudley a few months earlier and the will initially stated that Jane's male heirs would be next in line in inherit the Crown of England. This was altered when it was seen that Edward would die before Jane had any children so that Jane herself would become Queen.

    Mary Tudor called for support against the Duke of Northumberland and Lady Jane Grey. Large numbers of supporters gathered around her at Kenninghall Manor in Norfolk with supplies and weapons.

    King Edward VI died at Greenwich Palace as the age of 15.

    The Duke of Northumberland proclaimed that his daughter-in-law Lady Jane Grey was the next monarch of England. Jane was moved to the Tower of London. Although Northumberland controlled London many of the town's people supported Mary Tudor's claim to the throne.

    The Duke of Northumberland and an army of some 3,000 men travelled to Cambridge in an attempt to stop Mary Tudor. Moving on to Bury St. Edmunds the Duke came up against a much larger army supporting Mary. Accepting defeat, Northumberland was arrested and taken back to London to be held in the Tower of London. [1]

    Mary Tudor arrived at London to a huge welcome. Entering through Aldgate she was met by Elizabeth, Anne of Cleves and many others. Mary quickly ordered the release of her supporters that had been locked up at the Tower of London. The Duke of Northumberland and his supporters were placed in the Tower of London to await trial and execution.

    The coronation of Mary Tudor took place at Westminster Abbey. Mary became the first true Queen of England. In the past, Matilda and Lady Jane Grey had come close but neither had ever been crowned.

    Archbishop Cranmer, Lady Jane Grey and her husband were all found guilty of treason.

    1554(Age: 17yrs)

    Lady Jane Grey was executed on Tower Hill in London. [2]

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    Selection of references used:

    • 1: J. D. Mackie, The Earlier Tudors, Oxford University Press
    • 2: William Toone, The Chronological Historian, 1828

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