|
|
|
Lady Jane Grey was born in 1537 to Lady Frances Brandon who was the great-granddaughter of Henry VII. In 1551 her father was names Duke of Suffolk and she was moved to court. Jane married Lord Guilford Dudley in 1553, the son of King Edward VI’s regent, Duke of Northumberland. Lady Jane was put as heiress to the throne by Henry VIII if for any reason something happened to his son Edward VI, and his daughters Mary and Elizabeth. Edward VI had become sick and was sure he was dying so to avoid putting a Catholic on the throne, he made Jane Grey and her husband the replacement to the throne when he died. He did so by claiming that Mary and Elizabeth were illegitimate children of Henry VIII, making the line of succession skip them.
In July, 1553 four days after Edward VI died she was crowned queen. Mary Tudor had gained a popular backing in England including backing of the Duke of Suffolk, Jane Greys father. He abandoned his daughter to try to save his own life. Jane Grey was queen for nine days before she was persuaded to give up the crown and put Mary on the throne. She was thrown into the tower of London with her husband and tried for treason. In February 1554 she met her fate and was beheaded.  | |