Memorial planned for Nine Days Queen
ONE of England’s least known royals who has links with both Leicestershire and Warwickshire will be remembered next month.
Trustees of Bradgate Park are organising a commemoration of the execution of Lady Jane Grey, the Nine-Day Queen on February 12.
Lady Jane, whose family homes included both Bradgate House and Astley Castle near Nuneaton, was named by the ailing Edward VI as his successor due to her Protestant piety and on the urging of his main councillors.
However, she never left the Tower of London after residing there in readiness for her coronation. Instead, Henry VIII’s eldest daughter, Mary Tudor, gained popular support and overthrew the claim by Mary and her father.
Lady Jane was aged just 16 or 17 when she was beheaded on February 12 1554, having been de facto monarch from July 10 1553 to July 19 1553.
On the anniversary people are invited to join a ‘horse-led’ procession to lay flowers in the Ruins of Bradgate House, to mark this significant date and her execution.
This procession, supported by Charnwood Horse Carriage, will start at 11am promptly from the Newtown Linford car park. There is no set end time. The event, which is the first day of half term, is free to attend, but donations are welcome. Car parking charges apply (£3 per day).
Participants are asked not to bring flowers as the Trust will have white tulips - which are deer friendly - available for a small donation.
The story of Lady Jane Grey and the political intrigue surrounding her is uncovered in a new three part series, ‘England’s Forgotten Queen’, airing on BBC4. The first episode aired yesterday (January 9).