Lady Jane Grey

Lady Jane Grey was an English queen who lived during the 16th century. More appropriately, she was a claimant to the English throne, but only managed to hold on to it for nine days, hence her nickname, the “Nine Days Queen.” Lady Jane’s accession was not brought about by her own doing, but through the machinations of her father-in-law, John Dudley. Whilst Dudley succeeded in gaining the throne for Lady Jane Grey, he failed to secure it for her, and she was deposed soon after. Ultimately, Lady Jane was executed. The tragic story of Lady Jane Grey has as its backdrop the succession crisis of the Tudor dynasty, as well as the Catholic-Protestant tensions in England at that time.  

Lady Jane Grey was born into a noble family at this stately home known as Bradgate House in Leicestershire, England. The main house is in ruins today. (John Neal / Public domain)