1-627-830 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Lady Jane Grey (1537-1554), 19th century. A grand-niece of Henry VIII of England, Jane reigned as uncrowned Queen of England for nine days in July 1553. Though Jane's accession to the throne may have breached the laws of England, many powers of the land proved willing to accept her as Queen, even if only as part of a power struggle to stop Henry's eldest daughter, Princess Mary, a Roman Catholic, from ascending to the throne. Jane's brief rule ended, however, when the authorities revoked her proclamation as Queen. Mary's subsequent régime eventually had her executed for treason. Lady Jane had a reputation as one of the most learned women of her day, and the historical writer Alison Weir describes her as one of the finest female minds of the century.