Lady Jane Grey’s reign as Queen of England was brief. As a result, she became Queen after the death of her cousin, King Edward VI, who was a protestant of Henry VIII. When he chose her, she was Protestant, which was why she was the fifth in line to the throne.
What happened to Queen Jane Grey of England?
She was deposed as Queen of England by Mary Tudor on July 19, 1553 — nine days after accepting the crown. Grey was beheaded in London on February 12, 1554. Jane Grey was born in 1537, in Leicester, England, the oldest daughter of Henry Grey and Lady Frances Brandon and the great-granddaughter of Henry VII.
What does Lady Jane Grey mean?
Lady Jane Grey ( c. 1537 – 12 February 1554), later known as Lady Jane Dudley (after her marriage) and as the " Nine Days' Queen ", was a teenage English noblewoman who claimed the throne of England and Ireland from 10 July until 19 July 1553.
How did Lady Jane become the Queen of England?
Shortly before King Edward died on July 6, 1553, he and the Council amended his will (a “Devise for the Succession”) to prevent England from returning to Catholic rule under his older half-sister, Princess Mary. Edward nominated Lady Jane (his first cousin, once removed) to be the next Queen of England on July 10, 1553.
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How did Jane GREY became queen?
How did Lady Jane Grey become queen of England? Lady Jane Grey was a cousin of Edward VI, king of England from 1547 to 1553. Before Edward died, John Dudley, duke of Northumberland, persuaded him to make Jane his heir, even though Edward had two half sisters.
Why did Lady Jane Grey became queen for 9 days?
Lady Jane Grey was queen for just nine days, as part of an unsuccessful bid to prevent the accession of the Catholic Mary Tudor. The great-granddaughter of Henry VII, Jane inherited the crown from her cousin Edward VI on 9 July 1553.
Why did Elizabeth become queen and not Mary?
Mary desperately wanted a child to secure England's future as a Catholic nation but, after a number of false pregnancies, realised she would die childless. Without ever mentioning Elizabeth by name, Mary reluctantly consented to the next successor according to the terms of Henry VIII's will.
Who has the shortest reign in British history?
Lady Jane GreyTragic Lady Jane Grey is remembered in British history as the monarch with the shortest reign… just nine days.
How long until the queen is the longest reigning monarch?
If the Queen is still reigning in May 2024 she would take the title of the longest reigning monarch of a sovereign state. Louis XIV's reign of 72 years and 110 days was from 1643 to 1715. But he only started to rule personally in his 20s, in 1661.
How long was Jane Seymour queen?
She died of childbirth complications less than two weeks later, on October 24, 1537, in London, England, after having been queen for only a year and a half.
How long did queen Jane Rule England?
Lady Jane GreyReign10 July 1553 – 19 July 1553PredecessorEdward VISuccessorMary IBorn1536 or 1537 Possibly London or Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, England11 more rows
Who is longest reigning British monarch?
The queen, who began her reign in 1952 at age 25, is already the longest-serving British monarch ever, surpassing her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, in 2015. This month, the U.K. celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign with the Platinum Jubilee — four days of events honoring her service.
What was Lady Jane Grey’s childhood like?
Lady Jane Grey received an excellent education and could speak and write Greek and Latin at an early age. Grandniece of Henry VIII, at age nine she...
How did Lady Jane Grey become queen of England?
Lady Jane Grey was a cousin of Edward VI, king of England from 1547 to 1553. Before Edward died, John Dudley, duke of Northumberland, persuaded him...
How long was Lady Jane Grey queen of England?
Lady Jane Grey reigned as queen for nine days in 1553. The English people, however, largely supported Edward VI’s half sister Mary Tudor, the right...
Why was Lady Jane Grey crowned Queen?
She was proclaimed Queen after the death of her cousin, the protestant King Edward VI, son of Henry VIII. She was actually fifth in line to the throne, but was his personal choice as she was a Protestant. Lady Jane Grey, engraving by Willem de Passe, 1620.
What was Wyatt involved in?
In 1554 Wyatt was involved in a conspiracy against the marriage of Mary to Phillip of Spain. He raised an army of Kentish men and marched on London, but was captured and later beheaded.
What languages did Lady Jane study?
Lady Jane was beautiful and intelligent. She studied Latin, Greek and Hebrew and was fluent in French and Italian.
Why was Lady Jane's father responsible for her untimely execution?
Unfortunately for Lady Jane, her advisors were grossly incompetent, and her father was partly responsible for her untimely execution as he was involved in an attempted rebellion. This was the Wyatt rebellion, named after Sir Thomas Wyatt, who was an English soldier and a so-called ‘rebel’.
When was Lady Jane beheaded?
After the Wyatt rebellion was quashed, Lady Jane and her husband, who were lodged in the Tower of London, were taken out and beheaded on 12th February 1554. Guildford was executed first on Tower Hill, his body taken away by horse and cart past Lady Jane’s lodgings.
What did the woman ask the executioner on the scaffold?
She died, it is said, very bravely… on the scaffold she asked the executioner, ‘Please dispatch me quickly’.
Where was Lady Jane Grey taken?
She was then taken to Tower Green within the Tower, where the block was waiting for her. ‘The Execution of Lady Jane Grey’, by Paul Delaroche, 1833. She died, it is said, very bravely… on the scaffold she asked the executioner, ‘Please dispatch me quickly’.
Who was Lady Jane Grey?
For other uses, see Jane Grey (disambiguation). ( more ...) Lady Jane Grey (1536 or 1537 – 12 February 1554), later known as Lady Jane Dudley (after her marriage) and as the " Nine Days' Queen ", was an English noblewoman who claimed the throne of England and Ireland from 10 July until 19 July 1553.
Who was Jane Grey's father?
However, Jane soon became viewed as a threat to the Crown when her father, Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk, became involved with Wyatt's rebellion against Queen Mary's intention to marry Philip II of Spain. Both Jane and her husband were executed on 12 February 1554.
Where did Jane live in 1547?
Jane lived with the couple at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire, as an attendant to Catherine, until Catherine's death in childbirth in September 1548.
Where are Jane and Guildford buried?
Jane and Guildford are buried in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula on the north side of Tower Green. No memorial stone was erected at their grave. Jane's father, the Duke of Suffolk, was executed 11 days after Jane, on 23 February 1554. Her mother, the Duchess of Suffolk, married her Master of the Horse and chamberlain, Adrian Stokes, in March 1555. She was fully pardoned by Mary and allowed to live at Court with her two surviving daughters. She died in 1559.
When did Jane and Henry get married?
On 25 May 1553 , the couple were married at Durham House in a triple wedding, in which Jane's sister Catherine was matched with the heir of the Earl of Pembroke, Lord Herbert, and another Katherine, Lord Guildford's sister, with Henry Hastings, the Earl of Huntingdon 's heir.
When was Jane imprisoned?
On 19 July 1553, Jane was imprisoned in the Tower's Gentleman Gaoler's (Jailer's) apartments, her husband in the Beauchamp Tower. The Duke of Northumberland was executed on 22 August 1553. In September, Parliament declared Mary the rightful successor and denounced and revoked Jane's proclamation as that of a usurper.
Who was the chief mourner at Catherine Parr's funeral?
Lady Jane acted as chief mourner at Catherine Parr's funeral; Thomas Seymour showed continued interest to keep her in his household, and she returned there for about two months before he was arrested at the end of 1548. Seymour's brother, the Lord Protector, Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, felt threatened by Thomas' popularity with the young King Edward. Among other things, Thomas Seymour was charged with proposing Jane as a bride for the king.
Who Was Lady Jane Grey?
Lady Jane Grey's life began with promise and high expectations but ended tragically, due in part to the ambitions of her father and the religious strife of the times. The great-granddaughter of Henry VII, Grey was named the successor to Edward VI during a tumultuous competition for the throne. She was deposed as Queen of England by Mary Tudor on July 19, 1553 — nine days after accepting the crown. Grey was beheaded in London on February 12, 1554.
What was John Dudley's sentence?
John Dudley was condemned for high treason and executed on August 22. On November 13, Jane and her husband, Guildford Dudley, were likewise found guilty of treason and sentenced to death, but because of their youth and relative innocence, Queen Mary did not carry out the sentences.
Why did Jane Grey's support evaporate?
Public support for Jane’s rule evaporated when it was learned that the unpopular Dudley was behind the scheme. With opposition mounting against Jane Grey, many of her supporters quickly abandoned her, including her father, who futilely attempted to save himself by supporting Mary as queen.
When was Lady Grey deposed?
She was deposed as Queen of England by Mary Tudor on July 19, 1553 — nine days after accepting the crown. Grey was beheaded in London on February 12, 1554.
Why was Mary a pawn in Henry VIII's quest for a male heir?
Henry had divorced Catherine, declaring his marriage null because she was the former wife of his deceased brother. This also deemed Mary illegitimate in the eyes of the court.
Who was Henry Grey's daughter?
Henry Grey, now Duke of Suffolk, introduced his beautiful and intelligent daughter Jane to the royal court in 1551. In order to consolidate his family’s power, Grey arranged for the marriage of two of his daughters to scions of two other prominent families. In a triple wedding in 1553, Jane married Lord Guildford Dudley, the son of the Duke of Northumberland, alongside the groom’s sister Katherine, who married Henry Hastings, heir to the Earl of Huntingdon. Jane Grey’s sister Catherine married the heir of the Earl of Pembroke in the same ceremony.
When did Jane Russell become famous?
Actress Jane Russell came to fame in the 1940s when a publicity campaign for her debut film 'The Outlaw' focused on her curvaceous figure. She also co-starred with Marilyn Monroe in 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.'
Who was Lady Jane Grey?
Lady Jane Grey was the great-granddaughter of King Henry VII and the cousin of King Edward VI. Lady Jane and Edward were the same age, and they had almost been married in 1549. In May 1553 she was married to Lord Guildford Dudley, the son of John Dudley, the duke of Northumberland. When King Edward fell deathly ill with tuberculosis soon after, ...
How old was Lady Jane Grey when she was deposed?
Lady Jane Grey deposed as Queen of England. After only nine days as the monarch of England, Lady Jane Grey is deposed in favor of her cousin Mary. The 15-year-old Lady Jane, beautiful and intelligent, had only reluctantly agreed to be put on the throne. The decision would result in her execution.
How long did Lady Jane reign?
Two days into Lady Jane’s reign, Dudley departed London with an army to suppress Mary’s forces, and in his absence the Council declared him a traitor and Mary the queen, ending Jane’s nine-day reign. By July 20, most of Dudley’s army had deserted him, and he was arrested. The same day, Jane was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Who was Queen of England in 1553?
On July 6, 1553, Edward died, and four days later Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed queen of England. Lady Jane’s ascendance was supported by the Royal Council, but the populace supported Mary, the rightful heir. Two days into Lady Jane’s reign, Dudley departed London with an army to suppress Mary’s forces, and in his absence ...
Who was Jane Grey's father?
However, in early 1554, Jane’s father, Henry Grey, joined Sir Thomas Wyatt in an insurrection against Mary that broke out after her announcement of her intention to marry Philip II of Spain.
What was Jane's father-in-law sentenced to?
On November 13, Jane and her husband, Guildford Dudley, were likewise found guilty of treason and sentenced to death , but because of their youth and relative innocence Mary did not carry out the death sentences.
Who was Jane Grey?
Lady Jane Grey was the great granddaughter of Henry VII - the first monarch in the Tudor dynasty. Her significance in the affairs of state was, initially, remote. She was the granddaughter of Henry VIII’s younger sister and would probably have had very little historical interest if it wasn’t for the ambitions and hopes of others and the political battles at court after Henry VIII’s death.
How old was Jane Grey when Edward VI died?
And so, when Edward VI died at the age of 15 in 1553, the 16-year-old Lady Jane Grey was declared Queen of England. She was informed of this only weeks after her arranged (and non-consensual) marriage to Dudley’s son, Lord Guildord Dudley, in what was transparently a ploy to both keep the Catholics out of England, and to keep the reigns of power firmly in the Duke of Northumberland’s hands.
Why did Henry VIII bypass Mary?
So he bypassed both in favour of Protestant Lady Jane grey. Mary went put raised an army and rode back into the capital and took her throne, they just backed down as she truly was Queen after her brother. Lady Jane grey and her husband where put to death.
Why did Henry VIII break with the Catholic Church?
King Henry VIII broke with the Roman Catholic Church when the Pope refused to annul his marriage to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Henry wanted to marry Anne Boleyn, in the hopes she would provide him with a son and heir. Instead, each of his first two wives had only one surviving daughter apiece: Catherine gave birth to Princess Mary, and Anne Boleyn to Princess Elizabeth. Anne was later executed on trumped-up charges of adultery, and Henry’s third wife, Jane Seymour, finally gave him the son and heir he desperately wanted. When King Henry
Why did the Regency Council start protestantism?
The Regency Council (driven perhaps by personal interests) began an intense programme of “Protestantism” to solidify the religion and hold on to the considerable advantages they had acquired through their spiritual choices. There were revolts and unrest and little the could do to bring peace and security to the country. There was also much rivalry and infighting on the council with some opposition from leading Catholics but a crisis was reached when Edward fell ill.
Why did Dudley pressure Edward to change his will?
Afraid that Mary would overturn all of Henry VIII and Edward VI’s religious reforms and reinstate Papal authority , Dudley convinced the King that Mary must be legally prevented from becoming Queen. To this end, he pressured Edward into changing his will. Now, neither Mary nor Elizabeth would remain his successors, due to their possible bastardy. The Device also disinherited his cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots (who, like the other Mary, was strictly Catholic).
Who was Edward's cousin?
To that end, Edward’s will passed the Crown to his Protestant cousin, Lady Jane Grey. Jane was nearly the exact opposite of Mary insofar as religion was concerned (having denounced Mary’s Mass as “superstitious idolatry” in 1550), thus making her Dudley’s ideal candidate.
Why did Lady Jane marry Guildford?
The marriage between Lady Jane and Guildford was arranged for political, rather than for personal reasons, as Dudley hoped to secure the allegiance of the Greys in his scheme . Moreover, Lady Jane was a potential successor to Edward, and Dudley could use her, and her husband, his son, to maintain his control over England .
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What was the name of the letter that King Edward VI wrote to Lady Jane Grey?
King Edward VI's famous letter detailing that Lady Jane Grey should ascend to the English throne when he died. The letter is called: "My devise for the Succession." The letter passed parliament but not with ease and thus Lady Jane Grey became Queen Jane for 9 days! (Edward VI of England / Public domain )
What was Lady Jane's education?
As Lady Jane belonged to a high-status family, she received a strict but good humanist education at home. Thanks to this education, Lady Jane was able to speak and write both Greek and Latin at a young age. She is also reported to have been proficient in French, Italian, and Hebrew. Apart from that, Lady Jane was exposed to Protestantism by her father and tutors. This was perhaps the most important aspect of Lady Jane’s education, as it would play a significant and tragic role later in her life.
Where was Lady Jane Grey born?
Lady Jane Grey was born in the autumn of 1537 at Bradgate House, Leicestershire , England . She was the eldest daughter of Henry Grey, the 3rd Marquess of Dorset, and his wife, Lady Frances. It was through her mother that Lady Jane Grey was connected to the ruling Tudor dynasty. Lady Frances was the daughter of Mary Tudor , the youngest sister of Henry VIII. Mary Tudor in turn was the daughter of Henry VII, the founder of the Tudor dynasty. Therefore, Lady Jane was the great granddaughter of Henry VII, and the grandniece of Henry VIII.
Who proposed Lady Jane to Guildford?
The idea to marry Lady Jane to Guildford seems to have not originated with Dudley himself. Instead, it seems that this idea was first proposed by Elizabeth Brooke, the Marchioness of Northampton, a friend of Lady Jane’s parents. It is unclear, however, as to the reason behind the marchioness’ suggestion of this marriage.
Who painted Queen Mary I?
She wears a jeweled pendant bearing a pearl set beneath two diamonds. She became queen after Lady Jane Grey was dethroned. (Hans Eworth / Public domain )
Who was Jane Grey's grandmother?
Jane Grey’s grandmother was Mary Tudor, Queen of France and younger sister of England’s King Henry VIII. Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, did not bear him a surviving son but only a daughter, Mary, born in 1516 (the year before Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Wittenberg Castle door). When the Pope would not sanction an annulment ...
How old was Jane Grey when she was beheaded?
On February 12, 1554, 18-year-old Lady Jane Grey was beheaded after a nine-day reign as Queen of England. To explain why, we first have to offer an all-too-brief primer on the political background of Tudor England up to this point. Jane Grey’s grandmother was Mary Tudor, Queen of France and younger sister of England’s King Henry VIII.
What did Jane stand for after recitation of Psalm 51?
Following her recitation of Psalm 51, Jane stood again to make final preparations to meet the axe.
Why did Queen Mary stay in London?
She initially stayed the execution in the belief that Jane was a victim of her father-in-law, John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, along with others.
Where was Jane's execution?
The eyewitness accounts indicate that the scaffold for Jane’s execution was built against the wall of the central White Tower, at its northwest corner (the corner closest to the Chapel of St Peter-ad-Vincula).
Who painted Jane Grey's portrait?
Even though it was painted in the 1610s, 60 or more years after Jane’s death, it was commissioned by the Seymour family, who were sons and grandsons of Jane’s sister Katherine Grey Seymour. At least one senior member of that family had known Jane personally and was still living when the portrait was created. Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford (son of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector to King Edward VI) had known Jane quite well, and was even considered (before 1551) as a possible future husband for her. He lived until 1621, and may well have advised the artist on Jane’s appearance. Alternatively, the Syon Portrait may have been copied from a miniature (now lost) already in the possession of the Seymours, much like the large portrait at Syon of Jane’s sister Katherine.
Who was the Queen of England in 1553?
Edward nominated Lady Jane (his first cousin, once removed) to be the next Queen of England on July 10, 1553. Mary, however, believed she was the rightful queen and was able to garner the popular and military support of England. Jane’s nine-day reign as queen thus ended on July 19, 1553. She was imprisoned in the Gentleman Gaoler’s house within ...
Overview
Lady Jane Grey (c. 1537 – 12 February 1554), later known as Lady Jane Dudley (after her marriage) and as the "Nine Days' Queen", was a teenage English noblewoman who claimed the throne of England and Ireland from 10 July until 19 July 1553.
Jane was the great granddaughter of Henry VII through his younger daughter Mary, and was a first cousin once removed of Edward VI. She had an excellent humanist education, and a reputation a…
Early life and education
Lady Jane Grey was the eldest daughter of Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk, and his wife, Frances. The traditional view is that she was born at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire in October 1537, while more recent research indicates that she was born somewhat earlier, possibly in London, sometime before May 1537 or between May 1536 and February 1537. This would coincide with the fact that she was noted as being in her seventeenth year at the time of her execution. France…
Contracts for marriage
Lady Jane acted as chief mourner at Catherine Parr's funeral; Thomas Seymour showed continued interest to keep her in his household, and she returned there for about two months before he was arrested at the end of 1548. Seymour's brother, the Lord Protector, Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, felt threatened by Thomas' popularity with the young King Edward. Among other things, Thomas Seymour was charged with proposing Jane as a bride for the king.
Claim to the throne and accession
The Third Succession Act of 1544 restored Henry VIII's daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, to the line of succession, although they were still regarded as illegitimate. Furthermore, this Act authorised Henry VIII to alter the succession by his will. Henry's will reinforced the succession of his three children, and then declared that, should none of them leave descendants, the throne would pass to heirs of his younger sister, Mary, which included Jane. For reasons unknown, Henry excluded …
Trial and execution
Referred to by the court as Jane Dudley, wife of Guildford, Jane was charged with high treason, as were her husband, two of his brothers, and the former archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer. Their trial, by a special commission, took place on 13 November 1553, at Guildhall in the City of London. The commission was chaired by Sir Thomas White, Lord Mayor of London, and Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. Other members included Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby, and Jo…
Legacy
"The traitor-heroine of the Reformation", as historian Albert Pollard called her, was only a teenager at the time of her execution. During and in the aftermath of the Marian persecutions, Jane became viewed as a Protestant martyr for centuries, featuring prominently in the several editions of Foxe's Book of Martyrs (Actes and Monuments of these Latter and Perillous Dayes) by John Foxe. The tale of Lady Jane grew to legendary proportions in popular culture, producing romantic biograph…
Bibliography
• Alford, Stephen (2002). Kingship and Politics in the Reign of Edward VI. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-03971-0.
• Alford, Stephen (2014). Edward VI: The Last Boy King. London: Penguin. ISBN 978-0141-97691-4.
• Ascham, Roger (1863). Mayor, John E. B. (ed.). The Scholemaster (1863 ed.). London: Bell and Daldy. OCLC 251212421.
Who Was Lady Jane Grey?
Early Life
Arranged Marriage
Background on England's State of Affairs
Queen For Nine Days
- In early 1553, John Dudley brought forth the same charge against Mary and convinced Edward to continue to support the Protestant Reformation by declaring Jane his successor. Edward VI died on July 6, 1553, and the 15-year-old Lady Jane Grey, somewhat reluctantly but dutifully, agreed to become Queen of England and was crowned four days later. Howev...
Execution
Legacy