Lady jane grey of england

She had a humanist education and a reputation as one of the most learned young women of her day. In June the dying Edward VI wrote his will, nominating Jane and her male heirs as successors to the Crown, in part because his half-sister Mary was Catholic whilst Jane was a committed Protestant and would support the reformed Church of England , whose foundation Edward laid.

The will removed his half-sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, from the line of succession on account of their illegitimacy, subverting their lawful claims under the Third Succession Act. Through Northumberland, Edward's letters patent in favour of Jane were signed by the entire privy council, bishops, and other notables. After Edward's death, Jane was proclaimed queen on 10 July and awaited coronation in the Tower of London.

Did lady jane grey have a child

Support for Mary grew rapidly and most of Jane's supporters abandoned her. Her primary supporter, her father-in-law, the Duke of Northumberland, was accused of treason and executed less than a month later. Jane was held prisoner in the Tower and in November was also convicted of treason, which carried a sentence of death. Mary initially spared her life, but Jane soon became viewed as a threat to the Crown when her father, Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk , became involved with Wyatt's rebellion against Queen Mary's intention to marry Philip of Spain.

Jane and her husband were executed on 12 February At the time of her execution, Jane was either 16 or 17 years old.