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The Nine Day Queen - Part Two

© Elizabeth Batt

Welcome to part two of my article on Lady Jane Grey. We concluded the first part with Northumberland hatching a plot in an effort to retain his power. We also know that his plot involved Jane somehow, so let us discover how and why!

As mentioned in last week's article, Jane was fourth in line to the throne of England. It was for this reason that Northumberland focused his attentions on her. If things evolved as Northumberland desired, then he would not only retain the power he had gained to date, but he would achieve even more! He commenced his plans immediately!

First, Northumberland made friendly advances towards Jane's parents and once he had gained their trust, he convinced them to betroth Jane to his son, Guildford Dudley. So, in May 1553, Jane was summoned to her parents and informed that she was going to be married to Guildford. Jane protested strongly. She disliked the Dudleys and due to Thomas Seymour's actions earlier, she informed her parents that she was already promised to Edward. There had of course been no formal announcement to this fact and it was, in all likelihood, an attempt by Jane to prevent her betroathal to a man she detested.

Young females unfortunately, had little control over their fates in the 16th century. On May 21, 1553, Jane was married, despite her protests, to Guildford Dudley. She was then moved to live at Durham House.

Meanwhile, Edward VI grew ever more weaker and Northumberland realised that the time to complete his plan was running out. He turned to Edward and managed to convince him to strike his Catholic sister Mary, from the succession line to the throne. However, Edward could not do this act alone; it also required the consent of Parliament.

Well, Northumberland took care of that too! He achieved Parliament's consent by using abusive tactics and threats. Some would say today that Parliament hasn't changed much! So, the council members signed a document eliminating not only Mary, but also Elizabeth from the line of succession.

Just as a matter of interest, where do you think the line of succession lay now? Of course, with the Greys, Francis and Jane. Whether Francis had some premonition of what was to come, I don't know, but she stepped aside to allow the throne to rest at Jane's feet. Jane would become Queen, on the death of Edward.

On July 6th, 1553, the fifteen-year-old King Edward VI died. Jane, who had no idea of Northumberland's plans, was summoned to Syron House and told that she was to be Queen.