The Nine Day Queen

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Sep 26, 2003

Most historians have a hero or heroine, one person they admire and respect for reasons known only to them. These reasons may be diverse; a similar idiosyncrasy perhaps, unbelievable courage and bravery, or a tenacity that we cannot help but acknowledge. There are few historical characters though, who despite being recognized for their achievements, could be seen as "true innocents." However, I believe that Lady Jane Grey may have come close.

Lady Jane Grey lived during a tumultuous Tudor era. With Henry VIII dead and his heir to the throne having followed him, England was in political and religious turmoil. Although Henry with his "Dissolution of the Monasteries," had broken with the Holy Roman Catholic Church, his heart always rested with the Catholic faith and its beliefs. It is ironic therefore, that his son and heir Edward, would be practically raised and taught by Protestant tutors. An impressionable boy, Edward would grow to pursue the Protestant faith ardently, even going so far as to place restrictions on his eldest sister Mary for her Catholic faith and her right to conduct mass.

Edward's sister Elizabeth, daughter of Anne Boleyn was very much with Edward in his faith, but upon Henry VIII's death, his father had bequeathed the throne, first to Edward, then to Mary and finally to Elizabeth. Beyond Elizabeth, the throne would rest at Henry's sister's children, namely Frances Grey, mother of Lady Jane. Of course nobody could possibly conceive that the three primary heirs to the throne would be displaced one by one... why? For the sole purpose of religion and power. Not only would the throne be passed between faith's, the Royal court was equally faith split. Those that had advocated Catholic policies would have reason to fear Elizabeth and those that had advocated Protestant policies could only quiver at the thought of Mary ruling England. The battle scene was set and the plotting would begin.

Everybody in Tudor England it seemed had an agenda. This agenda always included more power and an increase in status. It was not how something was achieved; it was rather that it must be achieved at all costs. It mattered little the methods and there was certainly no honour among thieves, if you could be used for advancement, then you would be exploited. Lady Jane Grey happened to be in the right place at the right time and she happened to be unfortunate enough to have enough royal blood coursing through her veins coupled with power hungry parents readily willing to use their daughter to achieve their aims. The fact that Jane was just a teenager and would not live much beyond sixteen years of age because of her parent's actions didn't faze The Grey's in the slightest. Jane was a pawn and she was used as such by many, but her biggest betrayal was of course, by her very own kin.