Jane Grey is a subject I’ve been wanting to tackle for a while, but there weren’t contemporary depictions of her to work from. I landed on using this 18th century engraving of her, which is said to be a copy of a lost contemporary work. Jane was only 17 years old when she was executed in 1554. She is known commonly as “The Nine Days' Queen” - ruling England and Ireland between the 10th and 19th of July, 1553. Before the death of Edward VI, he nominated the Protestant Jane and her descendents to be his heirs, leaving his Catholic half-sister Mary out of the succession. King Henry VII was Jane’s great-grandfather, putting her squarely in the running as a legitimate heir. Unfortunately Edward passed away before his change to the succession could be ratified through Parliament, leaving it on legally shaky ground, and the slow speed of news travel meant that Mary never heard of the change until Jane was already on the throne. Viewing Jane as a usurper, Mary quickly raised an army and marched on London as Jane was awaiting coronation. After Mary I was installed as queen on July 19th, Jane was eventually deemed too dangerous to the crown to live. Both Jane and her husband Lord Guildford Dudley were executed on the 12th of February, 1554. Jane’s life being cut short was a great tragedy - she was known as one of the most learned young women of her day.
Descriptions of Jane's appearance vary widely. Some describe her with blue eyes, some with hazel or brown eyes. I've somewhat exaggerated her hair here - some descriptions give her red or strawberry blonde hair. Unfortunately it's quite inconclusive so this is an artistic depiction.
Left Portrait: Public Domain, Right Portrait base: iStock photo.
