Lady Jane Grey

Birth

1536

Lady Jane Grey was born between 1536 and 1537 in England.

Childhood

1536

Jane preferred book studies to hunting parties and regarded her strict upbringing, which was typical of the time

Childhood

1547

In early February 1547, Jane was sent to live in the household of Edward VI's uncle, who soon married Henry VIII's widow. Jane lived with the couple at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire until Catherine's death in childbirth in September 1548

Marriage

1553

In May 1553, she married Lord Guildford Dudley.

Reign

Jul 10, 1553

After Edward's death, Jane was proclaimed queen on 10 July 1553 and awaited coronation in the Tower of London.

End of reign

Jul 19, 1553

On 19 July 1553, Jane was imprisoned in the Tower's Gentleman Gaoler's apartments, her husband in the Beauchamp Tower.

Trial

Dec 13, 1553

Jane was charged with high treason, as were her husband, two of his brothers, and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer. Their trial, by a special commission, took place on 13 November 1553, at Guildhall in the City of London.
Her sentence was to "be burned alive on Tower Hill or beheaded as the Queen pleases"

Speech before death

Feb 12, 1554

Good people, I am come hither to die, and by a law I am condemned to the same. The fact, indeed, against the Queen's highness was unlawful, and the consenting thereunto by me: but touching the procurement and desire thereof by me or on my behalf, I do wash my hands thereof in innocency, before God, and the face of you, good Christian people, this day.

Family

Feb 23, 1554

Jane's father, the Duke of Suffolk, was executed 11 days after Jane, on 23 February 1554. Her mother, the Duchess of Suffolk, married her Master of the Horse and chamberlain, Adrian Stokes, in March 1555.

After death

1555

Jane and Guildford are buried in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula on the north side of Tower Green. No memorial stone was erected at their grave.