Grey, Lady Jane, 1537–54, queen of England for nine days. She was the daughter of Henry Grey, marquess of Dorset later duke of Suffolk, and Frances Brandon, daughter of Henry VIIIs sister Mary. She became a ward of Baron Seymour of Sudeley, who tried unsuccessfully to bring about a marriage between her and Edward VI. After Seymours execution 1549 for treason, she fell under the control of John Dudley, duke of Northumberland, who married 1553 her to his youngest son, Lord Guilford Dudley. Northumberland persuaded the boy king, Edward, to change the order of succession and name Lady Jane, a Protestant, to follow him on the throne. After Edwards death Lady Jane, only 15 years old, was proclaimed queen on July 10, 1553. The English people, however, rallied to the cause of Mary I, and Northumberlands army deserted. After nine days as nominal queen, Lady Jane was imprisoned. Because of her youth and innocence her life would probably have been spared had not her father joined the rebellion of Sir Thomas Wyatt 1554. Lady Jane, her husband, and her father were beheaded.

Address: Fact Monster / Information Please, 501 Boylston St, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02116
Website: http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/people/A0821838.html