Special Sub-Topic: The Nine Days Queen Authored by: sfcagals Sub-topic of: Lady Jane Grey

Jane Grey was the daughter of Lord Henry and Lady Frances Grey. They were the duke and duchess of which county?

Suffolk. Lady Jane Grey's mother was the daughter of Mary Tudor (Henry VIII's sister) and Charles Brandon. Her father had been the Marquess of Dorset before becoming a duke through marriage. This made Lady Jane Grey fifth in line for the throne, after Edward, Mary and Elizabeth.

When Henry VIII's son Edward became king what did he do that most effected the life of Lady Jane Grey?

He changed the order of succession, making her next in line for the throne. When Edward became king he changed the order of succession, making Jane Grey next in line for the throne. This angered Mary greatly, as Jane Grey was a devout Protestant.

Jane Grey was the ward of two people. Who were they?

Katherine Parr and Thomas Seymour. Originally Jane Grey came to live in the country manor of the dowager queen, Katherine Parr, under her guardianship. After Katherine's death Thomas Seymour, the Lord Admiral, bought her wardship for 2000 pounds. After he was executed for treason in 1549 she retired home.

What was Jane Grey's main interest?

Education. Jane Grey was well educated and taught to speak and read Latin, Greek, French, Italian and English. When she was 12 years old, John Aylmer became her tutor. With him she probably studied the reformers and their work, as well as music and other things. Some historians think, based on the letters that he wrote her that he may have fallen in love with her while teaching!

At whose funeral was Jane the chief mourner?

Katherine Parr's. When Katherine Parr died of complications of childbirth a week after her child Mary was born, Jane, now 11 years old, was the chief mourner for this friend that she loved so dearly.

Jane married Guildford Dudley on May 25th, 1553. Who was the engineer of the union?

John Dudley. John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland realized that the king was ill and dying and if Mary or Elizabeth got the crown he would lose power, so he, now the Lord Protector convinced Edward to change the order of succession. So John Dudley married his dull son, Guildford Dudley to Jane, so that, when she became queen, he would become king. Most evidence shows that Jane disliked him rather strongly.

When Edward died Jane became queen, against her own wishes. She did not attend the council meetings. Who stood in her place?

Her father. Not much happened during Jane's reign that was of Jane's own doing. She did not attend the meetings of the council, she did not plan to capture Mary, and she did not choose her army. Instead she was like a virtual puppet to John Dudley. He did the work, but called her responsible. Much as she despised him, she couldn't avoid him.

What did Guildford want that Jane would not give him?

the title of "King". It was taken for granted that Guildford would be made king by Jane after she was made queen, but Jane refused to make him anything but king consort. This angered Guildford and he threw something of a tantrum and brought his mother, the duchess of Northumberland into the room, who called Jane names. The people did not really hate Jane, but they hated Northumberland and his son. This was probably the reason for later problems.

When the people heard that Jane was queen, many of the Protestants went to Mary's side. Why did 3,000 or so Protestants go to the devout Catholic's side instead of the devout Protestant's?

Because they hated Northumberland and Mary promised religious tolerance. Mary raised an army of 3,500 or so men against Jane. To recruit Protestants she falsely promised religious tolerance, which was later broken when she burned and beheaded them, thus giving her the nickname of "Bloody Mary."

Jane was defeated easily, and accepted Mary as the rightful queen. She had been queen for nine days. She did not get out so easily however. What happened to her shortly after Mary became queen?

She was arrested. Mary arrested Jane and kept her in the Gentleman Jailer's house, next to Beauchamp Tower. Mary believed that it would be wrong to execute Jane, because she had been a pawn of Northumberland. It was something she played no part in, however, that finally put the seal on her fate.

Who was sent to convert Jane to Catholicism ?

Dr. Feckenham, Abbott of Westminster. Mary sent her private chaplain to Jane to try to 'save her poor soul,' or convert her to Catholicism. Interestingly enough it was Dr. Feckenham who postponed her awful fate and even persuaded Mary to call off the whole thing if Jane converted.

Though Jane was sentenced to beheading, Mary said that it would not be carried out. By whom was she sentenced?

Judge Morgan. Jane was sentenced by judges to beheading, although Mary said it would not happen. Something, however, changed Mary's mind, for it most certainly did happen.

What changed Mary's mind so that Jane was actually beheaded?

A rebellion plot to put Jane on the throne. When Mary announced that she would marry Philip of Spain the people were outraged. First of all, Spain was strictly Catholic, second of all Philip was Mary's direct relative and third England was going to become a vassal of the Holy Roman Empire! Thomas Wyatt led a bloody, failing rebellion against Mary. The Duke of Suffolk, who was Jane's father promised his support if Jane would be put on the throne after Mary was overthrown. It was this that changed Mary's mind and she decided to carry out the sentence.

Why didn't Jane's execution happen on February 8th, 1554 like it was supposed to?

Because Feckenham persuaded Mary to give her four more days to live. Dr. Feckenham somehow persuaded the desperate queen to push back the execution until February 12th, 1554. He even persuaded her, to call the whole thing off if she would convert to Catholicism. She refused to, so her execution would happen. She tied the handkerchief around her eyes, but could not find the block and began to panic. Her nanny since childhood, Mrs. Ellen, helped her to it. She made a short speech and then lowered her head to the block. Then, in one swift blow her short life of sixteen years was over.

Who was she buried next to at St. Peter ad Vincula?

Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Dr. Feckenham asked for permission to bury her at St. Peter ad Vincula and was granted permission.