A Queen Loses Her Head - The Tragedy Of Lady Jane Grey

If I say the name Lady Jane Grey, how many people actually know who she was or what her story is? Jane has gone down in history known as the Nine Day Queen, but many still don't know that much about her. When I started my history degree I wanted to create an awareness of Jane and have her properly classed as a Queen of England. On the anniversary of her execution, this is the tragic short life of a girl who was thrown onto the throne when all she wanted to do was read books.

The Early Years

The exact date of Jane's birth is unknown, its been estimated that it was around 1536 to 1537 and was either in London or Leicestershire. Her parents were Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk and Lady Francis Brandon, this made her a niece of Henry VIII and cousin to Elizabeth I. Jane had 2 younger sisters, Katherine and Mary, all 3 girls had received an education that was befitting of their status, and Jane became a bit of a bookworm. Like her cousin Edward she was a strict Protestant and made the choice to read her books and follow her tutors wishes.

In February 1547 her father had her sent to live in the household of Catherine Parr and her new husband Thomas Seymour due to an agreement that he and her father agreed to. Also at the house at the same time was her cousin Elizabeth, they spent time together and read together. Jane didn't leave the household until September 1548, when Catherine Parr died in childbirth, she was also the lead mourner at Catherine's funeral. Thomas wanted to keep her in his household, so much so she returned for 2 months before he was arrested in 1548.  

Jane in many ways was a pawn for her father to play, even though he wanted a male heir he did what he could to better the family through Jane. Thomas Seymour and her father came up with an idea to marry her to her cousin, the new King, Edward VI. Once Thomas was arrested her father managed to stay somewhat out of trouble, but it didn't stop him for suggesting Jane to marry the son of Edward Seymour. Nothing came from this suggestion, but Jane was later engaged, but to Lord Guildford Dudley. Guildford was the youngest son of the 1st Duke of Northumberland who was the most powerful man in the country beside the monarch. She was married to Guildford on the 25th May 1553, her father put on a triple wedding as he also married off his middle daughter Catherine to Lord Herbert. Guildford's sister was also married to Henry Hastings. 

The Ups and Downs of A Queen

When Henry VIII was dying and wrote out the Third Succession Act of 1544, he named Edward as his heir followed by his eldest daughter Mary and then Elizabeth. If neither of these 3 had an heir then the throne would fall Jane and her sisters. But when Edward was dying in 1553, his half sister Mary was still his heir. This made Edward redo his fathers wishes and create "My Devise for the Succession", it undid everything that Henry had set out and bypassed Mary and fell to Francis Brandon and then Jane. It was because she was Protestant that made Edward name her, but it was under the instruction of Northumberland. Edward died in the 6th July, but his death wasn't announced till 4 days later. 

Jane was told she was Queen on the 9th July 1553, she accepted the crown but with reluctance, the following day she was proclaimed Queen of England, France and Ireland. Like was the tradition of new monarchs before their coronation, she took up residence at The Tower of London. She refused to name her husband Guilford as King due to the fact that it would require an Act of Parliament, instead she agreed to give him the tile of Duke of Clarence. Because Northumberland was the man behind this he wanted to keep his power, this meant that he had to capture Mary so she couldn't get support. When Mary heard that Edward had died she left her residence at Hunsdon and out East to gain followers. Northumberland left London on the 14th July to capture Mary, but while he was a way alliances changed.

On the 19th July the council switched and proclaimed Mary as Queen, it's believed it was because Mary had so many supporters or because a coup was carried out. On the same day Jane was imprisoned in the Gentleman Gaoler's apartments, while her Guilford was kept in the Beauchamp Tower. Northumberland was captured and then executed on 22nd August. By September, Mary was claimed the true successor by Parliament and Jane was denounced and named a usurper.  

A Trial and Rebellion Begin

The trial took place on 13 November at Guildhall on London, she was named by the court as Jane Dudley. Along with her husband, 2 of his brothers and Thomas Cranmer they were all charged with high treason. The trial was chaired by Sir Thomas White, Lord Mayor of London and Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby and John Bourchier, 2nd Earl of Bath also sat in on the bench. Jane, along with everyone else was found guilty and sentenced to death. Jane was guilty of treacherously assuming the title and power of the monarch, the evidence of this was due to the many letters that she had signed Jane the Quene. She was either to be burned alive on Tower Hill or beheaded. Although it was also reported that Jane was to be spared. 

But Jane's fate was sealed when Thomas Wyatt the Younger rebelled in January 1554. Mary was planning to marry Phillip II of Spain, but not many agreed to the plan. Her father joined the rebellion, this made the council act on the verdict they gave Jane. The execution date was set for the 9th February, but was then delayed for 3 days in the hope that she would convert to the Catholic faith. Mary even sent her own chaplain, John Feckenham, to see Jane, but being the strong Protestant that she was she didn't give in, instead she became friends with Feckenham and even allowed him to accompany her to the scaffold. 

And so it Ends 

Guilford was taken in the morning of the 12th February from his rooms to Tower Hill, outside the Tower, for a public execution. A horse and cart brought his body back and went past the rooms that Jane was staying in, when she saw his body she cried out. Because Jane was of Noble birth she received a private execution, she was taken to Tower Green, inside the Tower. She gave a small speech while on the scaffold, a witness recorded what she said:

"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 then declared "I do wash my hand thereof in innocence" and recited Psalm 51 in English. She then took off her gloves and handed them along with her handkerchief to her maid. The executioner asked forgiveness and asked "I pray that your dispatch me quickly". She asked "will you take it off before I lay me down?" he simply replied "No, Madam". Jane then blindfolded herself but then failed to find the block with her hands. She cried out "What shall I do? Where is it?", its believed that Sir Thomas Brydges, the Deputy Lieutenant of the Tower helped her to find it. Once her head was on the block she spoke the words "Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit!". Jane was just 16 when she was executed.

Jane and Guilford were buried in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincular within the Tower of London. There was no memorial stone placed on their graves. Jane's father was executed 11 days after Jane and her mother remarried the following year, she was also pardoned by Mary and lived at court with her other daughters Catherine and Mary.