Lady Jane Grey, The Nine Day Queen

Lady Jane Grey is famous for having the shortest reign, just nine days as queen. The poor young girl was a part of the unsuccessful attempt to prevent the Catholic Mary Tudor, from inheriting the throne. She ended up as an innocent pawn in a game she didn’t play and lost her life. This is her story. 

Lady Jane Grey was born in 1537, as the daughter of Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk and Lady Frances Brandon. Through her mother she was the great-granddaughter of Henry VII, making her a part of the Tudor family. 

Around the age of 10, Jane moved in with Catherine Parr and Thomas Seymour. Parr had just courted Seymour after the death of her late husband, Henry VIII. By moving in, Jane was exposed to a strong Protestant environment and got a high-class education.

In 155, her father was made the Duke of Suffolk and Jane started to find herself at court more and more. In 1553, Jane married Lord Guildford Dudley, the son of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, following her father's strategic plans. John Dudley was Protector to King Edward VI. When the young Edward VI fell ill, it became quite clear that he was dying. John Dudley saw the reign of Mary Tudor, a Catholic, as a problem. He persuaded the king to declare Mary as an illegitimate heir. He was able to convince the vulnerable king to leave the throne to Lady Jane Grey in his will, using his position. On July 6, 1553, Edward died and Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed queen. 

However, Mary was still in line as queen according to Henry VIII’s will and parliament’s act in 1544. Nine days later, Parliament and the Privy Council of England and Ireland declared Mary Tudor as the rightful inheritor. In an attempt to save himself, Henry Grey suggested Jane relinquish the crown to Mary, but Mary sent them both and Jane’s husband to the Tower of London for execution, regardless. 

Later Henry Grey was pardoned, while Jane and her husband were charged with treason to the royal court in November 1553. Lady Jane Grey and Lord Guildford Dudley were beheaded on February 12, 1554, and Henry Grey was killed two days later, for his support of Sir Thomas Wyatt’s rebellion.

Paul Delaroche composed “ The Execution of Lady Jane Grey” in 1833. This piece is an oil painting of seventeen-year-old Lady Jane Grey, moments before her beheading in the Tower of London.