16-Year-Old Girl Ruled England For A Week, Then She Met A Brutally Dark End
Lady Jane Grey, the first of the female Tudor monarchs, really didn’t want to be queen. However, as it goes with every royal in the line of succession, she had no real choice — and not just she was bothered by that. Just as quickly as she was thrust into the throne, Lady Jane suffered the violent consequences of those behind the scenes who were pulling the strings.
Protecting the Succession
The most prolific string-puller of the family, King Henry Vlll, tried everything in his power to flout Lady Jane’s pathway to the throne. He was her uncle, the brother of her mother Mary. For the most part, it seemed like Jane would never have to worry about the pressure of being next in the line of succession if everything went according to the King's plan.
Edward Changes Plans
After King Henry VIII’s death, the crown went to his son and only male heir, Edward VI. At just nine years old Edward was slapped with the responsibility of ruling the monarchy. As he grew, though, Edward VI came into his own and devised a plan that threw his father’s wishes right out the window.
Henry VIII's Intention
Before Edward VI switched it up, King Henry VIII wanted the succession to stay within his immediate family. If Edward didn’t provide an heir, then the crown would pass onto his sisters Mary and Elizabeth. There wasn’t a chance that his first cousin Jane Grey would be considered for next in line. But, Edward VI had different priorities than his father.
In the King's Ear
A young Edward Vll needed help governing, so the Regency Council stepped up to act as surrogate rulers. As fate would have it, Edward’s poor health dictated that his life was short. During his last year of life, at just fifteen, King Edward Vl relied heavily on John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland for guidance.
