The Innocence of Lady Jane Grey

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The Innocence of Lady Jane Grey

Sixteenth century England was a turbulent time in the religious life of its citizens. The Reformation and Henry VIII's 'Great Matter' had turned Catholic against Protestant. This was a time of greed, as well as, controversy. As Henry VIII neared the end of his rule over England, many became thirsty for power and awaited any chance to attain it, no matter what, or who, was at stake. It was into thia hectic time that Jane Grey was born. A Protestant and grandniece to Henry VIII, Lady Jane was almost destined for tragedy. Having been so innocent and so eager to please, Jane was the perfect target for manipulation. Lady Jane Grey was an innocent victim of greed who was born into royalty, forced into marriage, forced onto the throne, and executed for the crime of others.

Jane Grey was born into the royal Grey family in October of 1537. At the Bradgate Manor in Leicestershire Hills the Greys received their first daughter (Luke 25). Although Jane was the first child raised by her parents, childbirth was not uncommon to her mother. Frances Grey had already given birth to and lost two children, making her desperate to give her husband the son he desired (Luke 25). Although disappointed, Frances and Henry Grey decided to name their child Jane in honor of the Queen, which Henry hurried off to see (Hal 1). At this same time, Queen Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's third wife, was giving birth to the king's son, Edward (Luke 26). By the age of three, Jane had begun her education. Being of nobility, it was normal to begin that young (Hal 2). When Jane was nine years old she went to live with Queen Catherine Parr. Queen Catherine was the sixth of Henry VIII's wives. This experience was to teach Jane the ways o...

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...ildford was taken away. No more than two hours later, the guards came for Jane. She was very strong and did not cry. She untied her own neckerchief and recited the fifty-first psalm. Jane covered her own eyes and found her way to her head's final resting place(Luke 289). When the task was done the executioner held up her head and said, "So perish all the queen's enemies. Behold, the head of a traitor"(qtd. in Hal 7).

Indeed, the sixteenth century was a time of much turmoil. For the citizens it was a difficult time, but for those of royalty it was even more so. A perfect example of this is Lady Jane Grey. By her own parents and the Duke John Dudley, whom I believe is the true villian of this story, Jane was betrayed. Lady Jane Grey was a brave young woman who was manipulated by others and had to pay the ultimate price of death for a crime in which she was innocent.

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