Lady Jane Grey: 9 Facts about the nine day queen

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]Lady Jane Grey is one of the most romanticised figures in English history.

She is seen as a teenage girl bullied into accepting a crown that wasn’t hers. She was then ruthlessly executed by one of the most bloody monarchs in history.

She is famous for being the Queen that ruled for just nine days.

Here are nine fantastic facts about the nine-day Queen.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]

1. Lady Jane Grey was born at Bradgate Park

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”3_5″][et_pb_image src=”http://historywithhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/1-4.png” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”Lady Jane Grey” title_text=”1″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]Bradgate Park in Leicestershire was home to the Grey family. The ruins of the house in which Jane Grey was born still stand at the centre of the park and can be viewed for free.

The exact date of Jane grace birth is not known. However, it occurred around the same time as the birth of her cousin, the future Edward VI in October 1537.

The Bradgate estate is vast, covering some 850 acres. The house that Jane was born in was completed around 1520 and was built in a similar style to Hampton Court, with red bricks.

The chapel is still intact, and visits can occasionally occur throughout the year.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]

2. There was a suggestion she might marry Edward

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”3_5″][et_pb_image src=”http://historywithhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2-4.png” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”Lady Jane Grey” title_text=”2″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]Many of Jane’s problems lay at the hands of her scheming parents.

Jane’s mother was Frances Grey, niece of Henry VIII. Frances’ own mother was Mary Tudor, Henry VIII’s younger and favourite sister.

Jane’s father was Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk.

They both sought more significant influence in the kingdom.

They saw an obvious solution. Why not have Jane marry her cousin, the future king.

However, Edward‘s illness and subsequent death meant that this plan could never succeed.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]

3. Jane Grey lived with Catherine Parr

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”3_5″][et_pb_image src=”http://historywithhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3-3.jpg” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”Lady Jane Grey” title_text=”3″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]As part of her parent’s schemes, she was given into the wardship of Thomas Seymour.

Thomas Seymour was by this point married to Henry VIII’s widow, Catherine Parr.

Jane went to go and live in their household at Chelsea.

Also living in the household was Lady Elizabeth, the future Elizabeth I. She, too, was Jane’s cousin.

The three women, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Jane, are considered three of the most highly educated women of the era.

Jane Grey acted as chief mourner at Catherine Parr’s funeral following her death shortly after giving birth.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]

4. Jane Grey was a Protestant

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”3_5″][et_pb_image src=”http://historywithhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/4-1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”Lady Jane Grey” title_text=”4″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]Lady Jane Grey was very religiously devout. She followed the new thinking and the new Protestant way of faith.

In this way, she was like her cousin Edward and cousin Elizabeth. However, it put her at complete odds with her other cousin Mary Tudor, the future Mary I.

This protestant faith made Edward name her in his device for the succession as the future Queen. Edward knew he was dying, and he wanted to prevent the throne from going to Mary.

Of course, Edward’s suggestion was never ratified by parliament and was probably heavily influenced by his chief adviser John Dudley.

It just so happened that John Dudley had arranged with Jane Grey’s parents that his own son Guildford was to marry Jane. This was so he would have a controlling hand when Jane became Queen.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]

5. Lady Jane Grey did have a claim to the throne

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”3_5″][et_pb_image src=”http://historywithhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/5-1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”Lady Jane Grey” title_text=”5″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]Jane Grey did have a claim to the throne due to two factors.

Firstly, it was stated in Henry VIII’s will that the crown should pass to Edward, then Mary, then Elizabeth. If all three of his children died without having issues of their own, the crown would then pass to the children of his younger sister, Mary.

First in line was Jane Grey’s mother, Frances. Then came Jane.

Frances was only too willing to give up her own claim to the throne in favour of her daughter, who was now married to Guildford Dudley. The marriage meant they had the power base of the influential John Dudley behind her.

Secondly, Edward VI named Jane Grey as his successor. However, this document called his “device for the succession,” was never ratified by parliament, so it had little legal standing.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]

6. She probably never wanted to be Queen

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”3_5″][et_pb_image src=”http://historywithhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/6-1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”Lady Jane Grey” title_text=”6″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]Lady Jane Grey is often seen as a political pawn used by others to gain power.

It is said when she was first off of the crown, she declined it. However, the evidence for this is pretty weak. We can’t be sure that she wasn’t a willing participant in the scheme.

She would likely have been equally keen for the crown not to pass to Mary so that the country does not revert to Catholicism.

When she was proclaimed the new Queen in London, people had to ask who she was!

She did sign one document, and she used the signature Jane the Queen.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]

7. She refused to convert to Catholicism

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”3_5″][et_pb_image src=”http://historywithhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/7-1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”Lady Jane Grey” title_text=”7″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]Once Jane’s nine-day rule had been overthrown by Mary, she was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Jane had used this as a base during her short reign, so at least she didn’t have to move anywhere.

Mary was firm of the opinion that her cousin was being manipulated by others, and she wasn’t at fault for attempting to seize the throne.

She was also highly reluctant to order the execution of her cousin.

However, when a further uprising took place in Jane Grey’s name, Mary was compelled to act. The Spanish refused to allow her potential husband, Philip, to travel and marry her while Jane lived.

Reluctantly, Mary gave the order to execute her cousin. But she still wanted to save her if she could. The Queen came up with the idea of attempting to convert Jane to Catholicism. She argued that there could be no uprising of Protestants to put Jane on the throne if this occurred.

Even though she knew it would cost her her life, despite Mary’s chaplain’s numerous efforts, Jane refused to convert to the Catholic faith.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]

8. She couldn’t find the block

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”3_5″][et_pb_image src=”http://historywithhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/8-1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”Lady Jane Grey” title_text=”8″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]The story of Jane Grey’s execution is a particularly harrowing one.

Not only was Jane such a young woman, but it seemed that her execution was unjust.

She’d watched her husband go to his death just hours beforehand, and she even watched his body being taken away in a cart, knowing that soon she would suffer the same fate.

Her execution took place in private on Tower Green, away from the crowds.

She gave a final speech:

“Good people, I am come hither to die, and by a law I am condemned to the same. The fact, indeed, against the Queen’s highness was unlawful, and the consenting thereunto by me: but touching the procurement and desire thereof by me or on my behalf, I do wash my hands thereof in innocency, before God, and the face of you, good Christian people, this day.”

She was blindfolded. Jane offered her final words, which were the same as Christ’s, “Lord into your hands I commend my spirit.”

Then she groped to try and find the block in front of her. But as she was now blindfolded, she couldn’t see. She couldn’t find it.

She cried out for help, and finally, the Constable of the Tower was forced to help guide her to the block.

Lady Jane Grey is buried in the Royal Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, within the grounds of the Tower of London. She lies in one of the principal spots in front of the altar.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]

9. She isn’t officially recognised as Queen

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”3_5″][et_pb_image src=”http://historywithhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/9-1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”Lady Jane Grey” title_text=”9″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_5″][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”2px|||||”]If you look down the list of monarchs of England and Great Britain, Jane Grey’s name is omitted. This is simply because she is not considered a true Queen because she effectively stole the throne from Mary.

Mary’s date of succession begins on the day her brother Edward died.

Poor Jane Grey’s nine-day rule has been expunged from history.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]