Lady Jane Grey becomes Queen of England, July 10 1553

Jane Grey (1537-12 February 1554), also known as Lady Jane Dudley after her marriage, and as the "Queen of Nine Days" for her brief reign, was a noblewoman and de facto queen of England and Ireland from 10 July to 19 July 1553.

Early Life

Born on October 1537, Lady Jane Grey was the eldest daughter of Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk, and Lady Frances Brandon. Her upbringing was deeply influenced by the religious changes occurring during the English Reformation. Her parents, adherents of the Protestant faith, instilled in her a strong Protestant identity, fostering her commitment to the new religious ideals sweeping across England. It was the convergence of her family lineage and religious convictions that ultimately paved the path for her destiny as the Queen of England.

Lady Jane's royal connections held significant weight. Through her mother, a daughter of Mary Tudor, Queen of France and sister to Henry VIII, she was the great-granddaughter of Henry VII of England. Furthermore, Jane was married to Lord Guildford Dudley, son of John Dudley, the Earl of Warwick, the most influential man in the kingdom. At that time, Dudley acted as regent to King Edward VI and pressed on with the Reformation, which had commenced during the reign of Edward's father, Henry VIII. However, the course of events took an unexpected turn when Edward fell ill and passed away in 1553. In the event of Edward's death without leaving any heirs, Henry VIII had decreed that his elder half-sister Mary would ascend the throne. Nevertheless, Mary, a staunch Catholic, posed a significant threat to the Reformation and its proponents, including Dudley, who feared reprisals under her rule.

Her Reign

In a desperate bid to safeguard himself and preserve the Reformation, John Dudley persuaded King Edward, a fervent supporter of religious reforms, to nominate Lady Jane Grey as the successor instead of Mary. This controversial document, known as the "devise of succession," not only disinherited Mary and her half-sister Elizabeth but also declared them bastards. With the king's council and Parliament accepting Edward's nomination, Jane was proclaimed queen on July 10, 1553, at the young age of 16.

However, Mary Tudor, recognizing the opportunity at hand, swiftly mobilized her supporters and proclaimed herself queen. Soon afterward, a formidable force of 30,000 troops, marching under her banner, converged upon London. The nobility and commoners, regardless of religious convictions, were united in their allegiance to Henry VIII's original succession plan, as the choice between a distant royal relative in Jane and a daughter of Henry VIII in Mary was an easy one for them to make. Moreover, accepting Edward's "devise" would have elevated the monarch above Parliament and the law, posing significant risks for the future. Thus, the council abandoned Dudley, who was apprehended on July 21 while en route to capture Mary.

Amidst cheers from the crowds, Mary made her triumphant entry into London on August 3, 1553. Lady Jane Grey, who had reluctantly participated in the entire scheme, expressed her willingness to return to her normal life when confronted by Mary. However, Jane, along with her husband, was confined in the Tower of London. Mary's coronation in Westminster Abbey on October 1, 1553, marked her official ascension as Mary I of England.

Death and Legacy

Upon assuming the throne, Queen Mary I was resolute in her mission to restore Catholicism as the dominant faith in England. In October 1553, she announced her betrothal to Philip, the son of King Charles V of Spain, a figure despised by the Protestant English. This decision ignited a spark of rebellion throughout the kingdom. It was in this volatile climate that Lady Jane Grey's fate was sealed, as Mary could not risk her becoming a figurehead for plots against her reign. The events that unfolded led to Jane's trial at London's Guildhall on November 13, 1553. Both she and her husband were accused of treason and sentenced to death. On February 12, 1554, they were executed by beheading within the confines of the Tower of London. Queen Mary, meanwhile, continued her reign until 1558, successfully reinstating Catholicism in England. However, her efforts would be reversed by her half-sister and successor, Elizabeth I.

Lady Jane's execution played a significant role in the tumultuous religious conflicts of the time. It became a rallying cry for Protestant resistance against the perceived tyranny of Catholic rulers. Her tragic end served as a reminder of the high stakes and the religious tensions that gripped Europe during the Reformation. Her story also had a lasting impact on the political landscape of England, since it highlighted the dangers of power struggles, unchecked ambitions, and the need for a clear and stable line of succession. Her nine-day reign served as a cautionary tale, influencing subsequent monarchs and shaping the development of the English monarchy.