The+execution+of+the+Nine+Day’s+Queen

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This young girl hath during a year been both marri’d, refus’d the crown, which she later was persuated to accept, objected her husband to be king, replac’d from the throne, and at last decapitated.
All of her life, her parents had wanted their daughter to get into the royal family. First they hoped her to marry King Edward, her cousin, whom was the same age. At the age of fifteen, her parents had given up the hope of marrying her to the king, and she was to marry Guildford Dudley, the youngest son of the duke of Northumberland. That, she did not like. She refus’d until her mother literally beat her into submission, although Dudley was both handsome and rich.

It is reveal’d that this peculiar girl did not have a very good childhood. She shall have spoken to a close friend and told that her parents were ”sharp and severe” and that they expected her to do everything completely perfect, or else she was punish’d or abus’d. She did not dare to tell exactly what they did to her. We assume this is the reason why this girl was so deeply into her studies. Her teacher hath told that she often cried when class was dismiss’d. She was sent away to live with the widow queen Katherine Parr and her husband Thomas Seymore when she was nine.

Queen Mary was the one to decide the execution of Jane Grey and her husband. Jane and Mary never went along too well. Once Jane was on a visit, she hurt Mary’s feelings by talking badly about Mary’s Catholic faith. Still, it is known that Mary sent Jane a velvet dress, but Jane shall have refus’d to wear it, because she believ’d that to be vain was a sin. Mary wanted her to to wear it at the court, and finally her parents persuaded her. Can this cool relationship between the two potential queens been the reason why Jane was executed, for actually doing nothing wrong?

Jane Grey did not want the crown. When king Edward died, her father-in-law kept it secret to prevent whom some say always hath been the rightful heir of the throne, Mary, to claim for it. Although, our queen did find out after three days, and declar’d herself queen. This made the duke of Northumberland act quickly, and the same day, he led Jane Grey to a throne he had put up in his own manor. Only this maketh many shake their heads. Insiders sayest Lady Jane refused to take the crown. Why not take it, whilst thou have the chance of becoming queen? Still, Jane so adamantly insisted that Mary was the truthful queen. ”This crown is not my right, and pleaseth me not. The Lady Mary is the rightful heir.” When Jane realiz’d she had no choice, she fell to the floor, sobbing. Not one help’d her.

Lady Jane Grey did not have a very easy life. Aside her tough childhood, she was dislik’d amongst most people. Few were the ones whom would like to see her sitting in the throne of England. Mary is the daughter of king Henry VIII, and most people mean that maketh her more rightful than a niece of the king. Her whole family was against her, and only wanted her to do what was best for themselves. Her parents, husband and parents-in-law obligated her to take the crown, even though she was strongly against it. Whilst sitting imprison’d in the Tower, her parents did not contact her once. Her whole life she was to do as others pleas’d. She once said her life was like living in hell, so death would be a relief. After the crowning at Northumberland’s manor, queen Jane was taken to London to the Tower as traditions sayest. The duke declar’d that both the fresh queen and her husband was to be crown’d officially. Jane was very displeas’d. Whilst staying in the castle in London, some of the attendants claimeth that they heard loud arguing between the queen and her husband. Jane would not budge for his pleading. Her pleasant father-in-law did probably not want the chance of making his son king pass, and declar’d that both were to be crowned. It is wonder’d if Jane perhaps tried to shield her husband for that which obviously were abusement of his own father, whom seemeth to do all of this for personal benefits. Others, Mary’s supporters, sayest Jane did this to keep the power for herself.



Northumberland march’d out with som men to meet Mary, whom had gathered her own army and was on her way to London. In his absence,on July 19th the royal council decided to proclaim Mary the rightful queen. The people of London never did like the sound of ”queen Jane”, and were now jubilant. Jane was relieved, and did without protest reliquish the crown.



Jane was without discussion left in the Tower of London, this time as prisoner, along with Dudley. Both her father and Northumberland were arrested, but Henry Grey was releas’d a few days after. Northumberland hastily converted to Catholicism, and tried to convince the new queen he truly believ’d, and that he would live only to kiss her feet. It pleaseth many to hear that he was executed short after.

On November 13th Jane Grey and Guildford Dudley were sentenced to death, accused for high treason against the throne. There were rumours that Jane would be pardon’d. When she was not, some sayest it was because of the rebels against Mary in February, and that these harden’d the queens heart. When she heard, Jane uttered; ”I am ready and glad to end my woeful days”. She was offer’d reprieve if she converted to the Catholicism. The faithful girl refused. She would rather die truly believing in her God, than live on as catholic. Protestants all over Europe now call her a martyr and admire her strong faith.