Lady Jane Grey

The Life of Lady Jane Grey (Part Three)

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We ended Part Two of the series with the death of Edward VI on the 6th of July 1553. In this, the final article in the series, we will observe the short reign (13 days, not 9) of Queen Jane and discuss her execution. If you'd prefer to listen to me discuss the topic you can do so here: Heir to the Throne On the 21st of June 1553, the Letters Patent was signed by 102 noblemen, London aldermen, bishops, archbishops and councillors - this was pretty much every [More]

The Life of Lady Jane Grey (Part Two)

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We ended Part One with the execution of the man who Jane lived with for 18 months - she even considered him a father-figure, Thomas Seymour. In this article we’ll look at her life after her wardship. In order to continue with the life of Lady Jane Grey we really need to look at the events occurring in England at the time, and delve a bit further into the relationship between Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset and John Dudley. To keep all these people straight whil [More]

The Life of Lady Jane Grey (Part One)

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In this new series I have chosen to focus on the life of Lady Jane Grey. Recently I finished reading ‘Crown of Blood’ by Nicola Tallis and ‘The Sisters Who Would Be Queen’ by Leanda DE Lisle, as well as referencing Eric Ive’s biography on Jane. Along with my fascination of Thomas Seymour, Jane Grey’s life nicely intertwined with that of his and is a fantastic story to share with all of you. Early Years As granddaughter of Mary Tudor, dowager queen of Fran [More]

The Many Faces of Lady Jane Grey

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Lady Jane Grey was queen for only nine days yet many do not consider her queen because she did not have a coronation - however, Edward Plantagenet (son of Edward IV) was given the title of Edward V even though he did not have a coronation. So why don't we refer to Jane as Queen Jane I of England? Both monarchs "reigned" for a very short period of time before they died. Edward's death is a mystery while Jane's death was ordered by Queen Mary I after she had no choice but to [More]

The Relationship Between Mary and Elizabeth Tudor

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Princess Mary Tudor was the apple of her father's eye for many years prior Anne Boleyn returning to England. Freshly back from her duties in France, Anne was unlike most women and Henry VIII noticed. We don't know the exact date that Henry noticed Anne but once he did it changed the course of English history. After Katherine of Aragon's last unsuccessful pregnancy Henry began to consider that he would never have a male heir. He believed the fact that he had  married hi [More]

Kept from the King

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content/uploads/2017/02/Kept-from-the-King.jpg"> At some point, during Edward's last illness, Princess Elizabeth sent the King the following letter, however, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland made sure the letter never reached her brother. This is noteworthy because it shows that Elizabeth had attempted to visit her brother, but had been stopped on her way there, and sent back: PRINCESS ELIZABETH TO KING EDWARD VI. [Ellis's " Original Letters." From the Har [More]

Elizabeth Grey, Lady Audley

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In our article about Margaret Wotton, Marchioness of Dorset we learned about one of the apparent reasons she had for protecting her son's inheritance - her daughters. Margaret Wotton, Marchioness of Dorset and her husband, Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset not only had a son, Henry, with whom Margaret later had disputes over his inheritance, but also a few daughters that she would have to arrange marriages for. Because of this enormous, unexpected financial burden, Lady [More]

Elizabeth Fitzgerald: The Fair Geraldine

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  Elizabeth Fitzgerald was born in 1527, in Ireland to Gerald Fitzgerald, 9th Earl of Kildare and his wife Elizabeth Grey. Elizabeth Grey was the daughter of Thomas Grey, 1st Marquis of Dorset. Dorset was the son of Elizabeth Woodville, Queen to King Edward IV, by her first husband, John Grey. In 1533, Elizabeth Fitzgerald, her mother and one of her sisters moved to London when her father was accused of treason or corruption charges and put in the Tower of London [More]

Jane Grey Admits to Her Faults

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Jane Grey's Character Statement:  This is supposedly written as her statement to Queen Mary I regarding her involvement in the cause to make her Queen of England. Although my fault be such that, but for the goodness and clemency of the queen, I can have no hope of finding pardon, nor in craving forgiveness, having given ear to those who at the time appeared, not only to myself but also to a great part of this realm to be wise, and now have manifested themselve [More]

Walsingham: Elizabethan Spymaster

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Guest article written by: Alan Freer  Throughout Elizabeth I’s reign England was in constant danger both from external and internal threats. Spain and France looked north and regarded the country as heretic and a potential enemy to their expanding empires. At home, the supporters of Mary Tudor, the late Queen, looked to another Mary, Mary, Queen of Scots, as a Catholic heir to replace the Protestant Elizabeth. In times of crisis a government needs good, accurate a [More]

The Tower of London – the Most Haunted Castle in England

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The Tower of London could be called the most haunted place in London as it has seen hundred of executions. Some justified, some not. Many of the prisoners who entered the Tower only left to go to their execution. Most executions were public events and were well attended. Seems a little morbid now. Traitors could expect to be hung, drawn and quartered - the most inhumane of executions - the prisoner was hung and cut down still alive, their heart and entrails removed and [More]

The Troubled Life of Mary I of England

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Birth: 18 February 1516, Greenwich Palace Father: Henry VIII Mother: Katherine of Aragon Accession: 19 July 1553 Coronation: 1 October 1553 Husband: Philip II of Spain (m. 25 July 1554) Preceded by: Edward VI Succeeded by: Elizabeth I "The Pearl of the Realm" In history, Mary Tudor is best known as "Bloody Mary." She was so much more than what history painted her to be as a ruler. If we go back to the beginning of her life we'll be able to get a bette [More]

Lady Jane Grey – Creating Conspiracy: The Underside of A Timeline

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  Have you ever wondered what would happen if one life was spared along history's timeline? I asked myself this question during my typical daydreaming session as I glanced out my kitchen window on a misty autumn day. I dared to believe that a story might be told, without disturbing the facts, but weaving a conspiracy beneath the visible records that we learn in history class. And for me, my heart and mind immediately went to the part of history that I love [More]