Hello Readers!
I'm so excited to bring you a guest post on one of my other favorite women of the reformation, Lady Jane Grey!
Al is a teen HisFic writer from NZ. She is currently working on a story that takes place during the 5th Century in England. Al enjoys writing, reading, and going on adventures.
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~Lady Jane Grey~
Hello there! I’m Al.
For as long as I can remember, Lady Jane Grey has been one of my favourite historical figures. Her story and the way she kept up incredible faith throughout many trials is so inspirational to me. She was a teenager when she died, but managed to leave a forgotten legacy everyone should know about.
Jane was born around 1537. Through her mother’s lineage, she had a very distant claim to the throne, but not enough to give her the title of princess. She was educated by the best tutors, learning Latin, Greek, French, Hebrew, and Italian. She loved to read, preferring it over popular sports of the time, such as hunting.
At nine years old, her parents sent her away to live with Catherine Parr, the late King Henry VIII’s widow. It is said Jane was glad to go, as she was regularly beaten and chastised by her parents, though there is little proof of this. She enjoyed her new life with Catherine and her husband, Thomas Seymour, but her joy was short-lived. Catherine died in childbirth a few years later, and Thomas was sent to the executioner's block for treason.
Thereafter, Jane spent most of her time at court. Her scheming father and the Duke of Northumberland began to devise a plot that would ultimately be her downfall. Jane was forced to marry Northumberland’s son Guildford, who she barely knew. It was around this time King Edward VI was taken very ill and wrote out his Device For Succession. With Northumberland’s persuasion, Edward appointed Jane and any of her male heirs as his successors, as he didn't want his catholic sister Mary to undo his Protestant reforms. It’s speculated Northumberland himself forged the postscript which would make his daughter-in-law queen, but no proof has been found.
Within weeks, Edward passed away. Jane was proclaimed queen by the nobles, despite her resistance to the idea. However, Edward’s sister Mary had the support of the populace and made it clear she wouldn’t stand for Jane’s theft of her title. With an army, she marched through the country, gaining support as she went. On July 19, most of the nobles relented and proclaimed Mary queen, even Jane’s father. After a nine-day reign, Jane was imprisoned in the Tower of London, alongside her husband.
Jane pleaded guilty to treason for usurping the throne and was sentenced to death. She was given many chances to relinquish her Protestant religion in favour of Catholicism, in the hopes her soul would be saved before she died, but she held fast to her faith.
On February 15, sixteen-year-old Jane was forced to watch her husband’s execution, before meeting her own untimely fate on the chopping block.
Many people have said Jane fell victim to the schemes of the traitorous men in her life, but I believe God used her to do great things. She may not have been queen for very long, but her incredible faith is still an inspiration to us today. Her life was not easy, yet she worked through it, knowing God had a purpose for her and believing she could fulfill it.
In a letter to her sister before she died, Jane wrote these inspirational words:
‘It [The Bible] is the testament and last will which He bequeathed unto us wretches and wretched sinners which shall lead you to the path of eternal joy and if you, with a good mind read it and with an earnest desire follow it, no doubt it shall bring you to an immortal and everlasting life.’
It is clear Jane went to her end knowing she had gained the gift of eternal life.
We can all learn something valuable from Jane’s story. I encourage you to read more about this incredible young woman and read the entire letter she wrote to her sister before her death. Letter by Lady Jane Grey
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That's all for today, y'all!
Blessings,
Mattie May and Al
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