Lady Jane Grey

1537 - 1554

Lady Jane Grey, born in October 1537, was the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk, granddaughter of Mary Tudor and great niece of Henry VIII. Edward VI was persuaded by John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, to change the succession decreed by Henry VIII and leave the crown to Lady Jane, therefore ensuring the continuation of the Protestant religion by preventing the succession of the catholic daughter of Henry VIII, Mary Tudor. Also, as Lady Jane was married to Northumberland's youngest son, Guildford, this meant that Northumberland retained his influence over the crown.

Lady Jane reigned for only nine days in July 1553 before Mary Tudor succeeded to the throne. Lady Jane was imprisoned in the Tower of London until a plot to prevent Mary marrying Philip of Spain, involving the Duke of Suffolk, led to her execution, at the age of 16, on February 12 1554