The Nine-Day Queen
Lady Jane Grey’s accession was almost instantly overturned.
1553
Edward VI 1547-1553 to Mary I 1553-1558
Lady Jane Grey’s accession was almost instantly overturned.
1553
Edward VI 1547-1553 to Mary I 1553-1558
King Edward VI died when he was just fifteen. On his deathbed, he named his cousin Lady Jane Grey as his successor, but his decision was annulled just days later.
JUST before the young King Edward VI, son of Henry VIII, died in 1553, he unexpectedly named Lady Jane Grey as his successor, passing over his half-sisters Elizabeth and Mary.
Jane was Edward’s cousin once removed: Edward’s grandfather King Henry VII was her great-grandfather.
And for nine days after Edward’s death, it seemed as if Jane would be confirmed as England’s first Queen Regnant.
But the Privy Council chose instead to proclaim Mary as Queen of England. She was duly crowned on the 1st of October, 1553, while Jane was imprisoned in the Tower of London under sentence of death for high treason.
Things might have progressed no further but for a revolt led by Sir Thomas Wyatt, anxious at Mary’s intention to marry Philip II, King of Spain.
Suspicion fell on all Mary’s rivals, and while the Queen’s half-sister Elizabeth managed to survive, Jane was executed on the 12th of February, 1554.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
What surprising news did Jane Grey receive, following the death of her cousin Edward?
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Edward made a decision on his deathbed. He named Jane as his successor. The Privy Council overturned it.