Crown of blood : the deadly inheritance of Lady Jane Grey

A significant retelling of the often-misunderstood tale of Lady Jane Grey's journey through her trial and execution—recalling the dangerous plots and web of deadly intrigue in which she became involuntarily tangled, and which ultimately led to a catastrophic conclusion. "Good people, I am come hither to die, and by a law I am condemned to the same." These were the heartbreaking words of a seventeen-year-old girl, Lady Jane Grey, as she stood on the scaffold awaiting death on a cold February morning in 1554. Minutes later her head was struck from her body with a single stroke of a heavy axe. Her death for high treason sent shockwaves through the Tudor world, and served as a gruesome reminder to all who aspired to a crown that the axe could fall at any time. Jane is known to history as "the Nine Days Queen," but her reign lasted, in fact, for thirteen days. The human and emotional aspects of her story have often been ignored, although she is remembered... "Good people, I am come hither to die, and by a law I am condemned to the same. These were the heartbreaking words of a seventeen-year-old girl, Lady Jane Grey, as she stood on the scaffold awaiting death on a cold February morning in 1554. Minutes later her head was struck from her body with a single stroke of a heavy axe. Her death for high treason sent shockwaves through the Tudor world, and served as a gruesome reminder to all who aspired to a crown that the axe could fall at any time. Jane is known to history as "the Nine Days Queen," but her reign lasted, in fact, for thirteen days. The human and emotional aspects of her story have often been ignored, although she is remembered as one of the Tudor Eras most tragic victims. While this is doubtlessly true, it is only part of the complex jigsaw of Janes story. She was a remarkable individual with a charismatic personality who earned the admiration and affection of many of those who knew her. All were impressed by her wit, passion, intelligence, and determined spirit. Furthermore, the recent trend of trying to highlight her achievements and her religious faith has, in fact, further obscured the real Jane, a young religious radical who saw herself as an advocate of the reformed faithProtestantismand ultimately became a martyr for it. Crown of Blood is an important and significant retelling of an often-misunderstood tale: set at the time of Janes downfall and following her journey through to her trial and execution, each chapter moves between the past and the present, using a rich abundance of primary source material (some of which has never been published) in order to paint a vivid picture of Janes short and turbulent life. This dramatic narrative traces the dangerous plots and web of deadly intrigue in which Jane became involuntarily tangledand which ultimately led to a shocking and catastrophic conclusion. "'Good people, I am come hither to die, and by a law I am condemned to the same.' These were the heartbreaking words of a seventeen-year-old girl, Lady Jane Grey, as she stood on the scaffold on a cold February morning in 1554. Her death for high treason sent shockwaves through the Tudor world and served as a gruesome reminder to all who aspired to the Crown that the axe could fall at any time. Jane is known to history as 'the Nine-Day Queen,' but her reign lasted, in fact, for thirteen days. The human and emotional aspects of her story have often been ignored, although she is remembered as one of the Tudor Era's most tragic victims. While this is doubtlessly true, it is only part of the complex jigsaw of Jane's story. She was a remarkable individual with a charismatic personality who earned the admiration and affection of many of those who knew her. Furthermore, the recent trend of trying to highlight her achievements has actually further obscured the real Jane: a young religious radical who saw herself as an advocate of the reformed faith--Protestantism--and ultimately became a martyr for it."--Dust jacket. Good people, I am come hither to die, and by a law I am condemned to the same'. These were the heartbreaking words of a seventeen-year-old girl, Lady Jane Grey, as she stood on the scaffold on a cold February morning in 1554. Her death for high treason sent shockwaves through the Tudor world and served as a gruesome reminder to all who aspired to the Crown that the axe could fall at any time. While the story of 'the Nine Days Queen' has been told, the human and emotional aspects are often ignored. The recent trend of trying to highlight her achievements and her religious faith has, in fact, further obscured the real Jane, a young religious radical who saw herself as an advocate of Protestantism, and who ultimately became a martyr for her faith. This is an important and significant retelling of an often misread tale, examining evidence that has never before been published. Following Lady Jane Grey's journey from the deadly intrigues of her childhood that led inexorably through to her trial and execution, historian Nicola Tallis unravels the grim tapestry of her life along the way A time to be born and a time to die Rejoiced all true hearts Anyone more deserving of respect The imperial crown A loving and kind father A second court of right Ruled and framed towards virtue She did never love her after I think myself in Hell Godly instruction A comely, virtuous and goodly gentleman The first act of a tragedy Long live the Queen! Falsely styled queen Jana non regina Shut up in the tower Jane of Suffolk deserved death Justice is an excellent virtue Fear not for any pain Liberty of the Tower The permanent ruin of the ancient house of Grey Bound by indissoluble ties I am come hither to die God and posterity will show me favour Appendix 1: The queen without a face: portraits of Lady Jane Grey Appendix 2: Jane's debate with Dr John Feckenham Appendix 3: Following in Jane's footsteps: places to visit.