Lady Jane Grey: Famous Last Words

Posted in Famous Last Words on Monday, 28 February 2011

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Lady Jane Grey was known as “the nine days queen” as she reigned only between the 10th and 19th of July 1553. The granddaughter of Henry VII, he named her as his successor in his will, attempting to subvert claims by her half-sisters Mary and Elizabeth.

picture, Lady Jane Grey, queen, execution, beheading

The execution of Lady Jane Grey. Illustration by Kronheim

Lady Jane spent her brief reign imprisoned at the Tower of London whilst the Privy Council made their decision to proclaim Mary as queen. She was subsequently executed after being found guilty of high treason. After giving a short speech on the scaffold, she recited Psalm 51, handed her gloves and handkerchief to her maid and blindfolded herself. Blindfolded, she was unable to find the block and began to panic, crying “What shall I do? Where is it?” Guided to the block she lay down and said

“Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit!”

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