Assent to Queen
Lady Jane acknowledges her parents were harsh; even cruel towards her, yet she preserved her respect and obedience to them despite the loss of her happiness and her life. Their ambition raised her to a throne and eventually the scaffold. At an early age she was married to Lord Guilford Dudley, son of John Duke of Northumberland. This aspiring nobleman persuaded King Edward to give his crown to his daughter in law Lady Jane despite the king's own sisters Mary and Elizabeth being the rightful heirs.
“Accordingly, in the beginning of June he broke the matter to the young monarch and having first made all such colourable objections, as the affair would admit against his majesty's two sisters Mary and Elizabeth, as well as Mary queen of Scots. He observed that the lady Jane who stood next upon the royal line, was a person of extraordinary qualities, that her zeal for the Reformation was unquestioned, that nothing could be more acceptable to the nation, than the prospect of such a princess, that in this case he was bound to set aside all partialities of blood and nearness of relation, which were inferior considerations and ought to be over-ruled by the public good. To corroborate this discourse, care was taken to place about the king those who should make it their business to touch frequently upon this subject, enlarge upon the accomplishments of lady Jane, and describe her with all imaginable advantages so that at last the king's affections, standing for this disposition of the crown, he yielded to overlook his sisters and set aside his father's will. Agreeably to which a deed of settlement being drawn up in form of law, by the judges was signed by his majesty and all the lords of the councils.” (Ascham’s Schoolmaster pg. 138)
Upon the king's death, Northumberland and Dorset who had been lately created Duke of Suffolk travelled to Durham-house where the Lady Jane and her husband resided. With much solemnity they explained the business which brought them to her and then fell on their knees and paid their duties to her as queen of England. She was very astonished at their discourse, but not at all affected by their reasons and far from being elevated by such honours, refused them in an eloquent and argumentative speech.
Notwithstanding however, she was overcome by the exhortations of her father; the intercessions of her mother; the artful persuasions of Northumberland and above all the earnest desires of her husband whom she tenderly loved to yield her consent. Accordingly, against her own preference, she allowed herself to be conveyed to the Tower which she entered with all the state of a queen attended by the principal mobility and her train borne by her own mother. A few days later however, she was stripped of all her authority.
“Accordingly, in the beginning of June he broke the matter to the young monarch and having first made all such colourable objections, as the affair would admit against his majesty's two sisters Mary and Elizabeth, as well as Mary queen of Scots. He observed that the lady Jane who stood next upon the royal line, was a person of extraordinary qualities, that her zeal for the Reformation was unquestioned, that nothing could be more acceptable to the nation, than the prospect of such a princess, that in this case he was bound to set aside all partialities of blood and nearness of relation, which were inferior considerations and ought to be over-ruled by the public good. To corroborate this discourse, care was taken to place about the king those who should make it their business to touch frequently upon this subject, enlarge upon the accomplishments of lady Jane, and describe her with all imaginable advantages so that at last the king's affections, standing for this disposition of the crown, he yielded to overlook his sisters and set aside his father's will. Agreeably to which a deed of settlement being drawn up in form of law, by the judges was signed by his majesty and all the lords of the councils.” (Ascham’s Schoolmaster pg. 138)
Upon the king's death, Northumberland and Dorset who had been lately created Duke of Suffolk travelled to Durham-house where the Lady Jane and her husband resided. With much solemnity they explained the business which brought them to her and then fell on their knees and paid their duties to her as queen of England. She was very astonished at their discourse, but not at all affected by their reasons and far from being elevated by such honours, refused them in an eloquent and argumentative speech.
Notwithstanding however, she was overcome by the exhortations of her father; the intercessions of her mother; the artful persuasions of Northumberland and above all the earnest desires of her husband whom she tenderly loved to yield her consent. Accordingly, against her own preference, she allowed herself to be conveyed to the Tower which she entered with all the state of a queen attended by the principal mobility and her train borne by her own mother. A few days later however, she was stripped of all her authority.