Often ignored or skipped over in writings about the British Monarchy, Lady Jane Grey was England's briefest Queen. (Footnote 1 - see her entry in the official site of the British Monarchy http://www.royal.gov.uk/history/tudor.htm#EDWARDVI)
A highly intelligent, pious and attractive young woman, according to contemporary sources, she ruled England for a mere nine days in 1553, after Edward VI and before Mary I. Lady Jane has found a soft spot in the heart of many a historian, because of the poignancy of her hopeless story, made into a touching (if lengthy and historically inaccurate) film which reinvented her for today's generations.
The history
Born in 1537 at her family home in Bradgate, Jane was the eldest daughter of Frances Brandon, whose mother was Henry VIII's sister Mary, and the Marquess of Suffolk, Henry Grey. The reigning King, Edward VI, was her cousin, an extremely learned, pious and sickly boy, who was to die at the tender age of 15.
As Edward's illness became increasingly serious, Northumberland, whose eye was on the English throne, married his son Lord Guilford Dudley to Jane, a Protestant. Edward accepted his young cousin as his heir, and when he finally died of consumption in July 1553, Jane was unwillingly crowned Queen.
Although her claim was recognised by the Council, within nine days Mary's supporters seized control and placed her on the throne. As Catherine of Aragon's daughter, Jane herself had recognised that Mary's claim was much stronger than hers, stating when she was told of her impending coronation "the crown is not my right and pleaseth me not. The Lady Mary is the rightful heir."
Jane and her husband were later executed, and she was buried at St Peter ad Vincula, Tower of London.
The film
The full story
The whole of Jane's life and her place in the history of British politics is too involved to set down in full here, so you might like to check out the following links to sites devoted to the nine-day queen.
http://www.britannia.com/backs/history/ladyjane/janefram.html
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/1000
http://www.geocities.com/jane_the_quene
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