History Revealed

Lady Jane Grey gains (and loses) the throne of England

On 9 July 1553, Lady Jane Grey was called to Syon House, her father-in-law’s opulent home near London, to receive life-changing news. As she entered the building and saw a throng of courtiers gathered, her body started to shake. When her father-in-law escorted her to the throne and told her that she was to be the next queen of England, the crowd around her dropped to their knees – and Jane fell to the floor in a dead faint.

Once she’d recovered, she announced: “The crown is not my right. It pleases me not. Mary is the rightful heir.” Although those around her swatted away her objections, Jane’s words were remarkably prescient. Nine days after she ascended the throne, Mary was

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