Lady Jane Grey
From Conservapedia
Lady Jane Grey (1537-54) was proclaimed Queen of England on 10th of July 1553, and removed 9 days later on 19th of July.
Jane was a niece of Henry VIII who became a pawn in her family and others’ promotion of their dynastic interests. She was attractive and intelligent and enters history as a member of the household of Catherine Parr, Henry’s widow. Henry’s son, Edward VI was a sickly child who died without issue. The Duke of Northumberland, and President of the King’s Council, had persuaded Edward to name Jane (who did have legal claim to the throne) as his heir. He then married Jane (much against her will) to his own son, Guildford Dudley.
On Edward’s death Jane was proclaimed Queen and this was ratified by the Council. Supporters of the staunchly Catholic Mary I – Henry VIII’s eldest daughter - marshaled their forces, and Jane’s supporters soon admitted defeat. Jane pleaded guilty to treason, and she and Dudley were beheaded. She died on 12th February 1554. Her last words were a denial that she had ever desired the Throne, and that she considered that she was going to her death as a true Christian.
The Anglican Communion venerated her as a martyr.
Further reading
- Alison Plowden, "Grey , Lady Jane (1537–1554)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (2004); major long article. online
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