Monthly Meetings

We meet at 2 pm on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Congregational Church, Kilwardby St, Ashby.
There is normally a guest speaker or, in December, musical entertainment.
This is followed by tea, coffee and biscuits and a chance to meet and talk with other members.

Tea Rota and Reporting Groups

22nd September – Sandy Leong ‘Bradgate and Lady Jane Grey’

Sandy Leong, who has entertained us twice before, returned this time to tell us of the story of Lady Jane Grey. Sandy’s story was full of anecdotes, humour and tales of intrigue and scheming on the fate of this young woman and her short life.

Jane’s actual birthdate is unknown but she was born in 1536/7 and was the great-granddaughter of Henry VII, grandniece of Henry VIII and cousin once removed of Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I. Under the will of Henry VIII Jane was in line to the throne after her cousins and it seems that her parents were always trying to get her ever closer to the throne.

She was sent to the home of Catherine Parr, 6th wife and widow of Henry VIII, who had married Thomas Seymour, brother of Jane, and he tried to get Jane Grey married to the now King Edward VI to improve his own standing. This failed when he was accused of treason and beheaded.

Jane’s position changed dramatically in 1553 after the death of the young King Edward VI. Edward was a Protestant, and shortly before his death he named Jane as his successor, attempting to prevent the Catholic Mary Tudor from becoming queen. Jane was married to Lord Guildford Dudley, the son of the powerful Duke of Northumberland, who supported her claim to the throne.

After Edward died on 6th July 1553, Jane was proclaimed Queen on 10th July. However, she faced widespread opposition because many people believed that Mary, as Henry VIII’s eldest surviving daughter, had the stronger hereditary claim. Mary gathered supporters in East Anglia, while Jane’s government struggled to maintain control.

After only nine days, Jane’s position collapsed. Mary entered London and was proclaimed Queen on 19th July 1553. Jane was imprisoned in the Tower of London and although Mary initially considered sparing her life, Jane and her husband were eventually convicted of treason and they were both beheaded. Jane was 16 or maybe 17 years old.

A fascinating story of in-fighting, scandal, intrigue and plotting and an interesting part of our history.