England"s Forgotten Queen: The Life and Death of Lady Jane Grey

On February 12, 1554, a 16-year-old young woman was executed at the Tower of London. She was Lady Jane Grey, and for nine brief days the prior year, she had ruled as Queen of England. Historian Helen Castor explains how powerful men manipulated events to try to ensure that a Protestant would succeed to the throne after the death of Edward VI, instead of his elder sister, the Catholic Mary Tudor.

Edward"s death on July 6 is kept secret while the conspirators move Lady Jane into position. Four days later, she is proclaimed queen in the Tower of London, but the evening"s banquet is interrupted by a letter from Mary asserting her right to the throne. On July 14, Jane dispatches the Duke of Northumberland and his forces to counter Mary"s supporters. England is moving towards civil war.

As Mary"s military gathers strength, Jane"s support begins to crumble. With Northumberland away in Cambridge with the army, the privy councilors declare Mary queen. Jane is held prisoner in the Tower, remaining steadfast to her faith despite pressure to convert. But as Mary attempts to cement her power amid a rebellion, Jane is still a threat and finds herself at the executioner"s block.