Lady Jane Grey was born in 1537, to a noble and politically ambitious family. It’s said she was studious, well-educated and fluent in Latin, Greek and several modern languages.

She was the eldest daughter of Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk and Frances Brandon. Through her mother she was a great-granddaughter of Henry VII.

Although only fifth in line to the throne, she was proclaimed Queen of England in July 1553 following the death of Edward VI. A staunch Protestant, she was placed on the throne in an attempt to prevent her cousin Mary, who was a Catholic, from becoming queen.

Jane’s reign only lasted only nine days before Mary rallied support, entered London in triumph, and imprisoned Jane in the Tower.

Jane was charged with high treason, found guilty, and executed in February 1554 at the age of 16 or 17. It’s said she remained resolute and calm at her execution. In Solomon Hart’s painting (a detail of which is shown above during our conservation assessment) she holds a book and looks serenely to the sky as the crowd at her feet clamour and wring their hands.

Though her reign was brief, Lady Jane Grey has been mythologised in plays, novels, paintings and films over the centuries.

She is portrayed as a Protestant martyr and tragic teenage queen: an intelligent young woman with religious conviction who became an innocent pawn used by political factions.

Find out more about our conservation in action event