Lady Jane Grey

When thinking of the Reformation in England, King Henry VIII, Tyndale, & Bloody Mary come to one’s mind. But one figure has been forgotten by many, her life being eclipsed by the more prominent personalities surrounding it. Lady Jane Grey was an incredibly accomplished woman, achieving a level of education rarely mastered today; she corresponded with reformers; eventually she became the queen of England. Even more remarkable was that she attained all this before turning 17. Her life was one which was saturated with hardship, but through it all she never wavered in her faith in God.

On an unknown day in early to mid October, 1537, Jane was born at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire, England. Her parents were Henry and Frances (a niece of Henry VIII) Grey, who went on to have two more daughters – Katherine and Mary. Unfortunately, Jane’s parents began to mistreat her at an early age, and seem to have favored her sister Katherine. Jane did not share her parents’ passion for ungodliness, nor did she possess a passive temperament to tolerate it. Although she had few personal friends, Jane found one in her tutor, John Aylmer, and because of his kindness to her, she grew to relish her academic studies, preferring, at age 12, to read Plato – in the original Greek - than go merrymaking with her family. Word spread of the greatness of her intellect, and soon Jane engaged in correspondence with two Reformers – Martin Bucer and Henry Bullinger.

Eventually, Jane’s parent’s decided that it was time for her to marry, and (after a tumultuous fight), she was married to Guilford Dudley on May 21^st, 1553. In July of the same year, King Edward VI died, and on his deathbed, he was persuaded to name Jane as the heir to the throne, instead of his sister, Mary. This was done because Mary was a Catholic, and Edward, a protestant, did not want the religion of the country switched again. When Jane was told the news, she refused at first, but was persuaded to accept the crown, being reminded that it was her duty to maintain the Reformation that had now began in England.

Jane reigned for 9 days. Hearing of Jane’s ascension to the throne, Mary mustered an army, stormed London, and victoriously confined Jane and Guilford, among others, in the Tower of London. The two unfortunate teenagers were kept there for six months, and although they initially disliked each other’s company, they gradually developed a friendship during their walks around the grounds of the Tower. Towards the end of her stay in the prison, Jane engaged in several debates with John Feckenham, a priest sent by Mary to convert her to Catholicism. Fortunately, Jane stood her ground and Feckenham often left defeated. In February of 1554, a riot broke out, threatening to reinstate Jane as Queen, and this proved to be the last straw for Mary. On February 12^th, 1554, Jane and Guiliford were beheaded in the Tower of London. She was 16, he 17.

In light of contemporary culture, the life of Lady Jane Grey is nearly incredible. How might anybody, much less a sixteen year old, accomplish what she did? Each achievement this young woman made in life is inspiring, but the most illustrious would undoubtedly be her last. Her final moments are an inspiring - and convicting - example of a life lived not for oneself, but for God. Our world would be a different place if Christians lived their lives with the attitude she did.