E X T E N S I O N THE NINE-DAY QUEEN Lady Jane Grey was Henry VIII s grand-niece. She was born in the same month of 1537 as his son and successor, Edward VI. Her ambitious parents, hoping to marry her to Edward one day, paid special attention to her education. Jane had a reputation as one of the most learned young women of her day. A devoted Protestant, she was posthumously1 regarded as not only a political victim but also as a martyr. Thin and freckled2, with sandy3 hair, Jane was engaged in the Spring of 1553 to Lord Guildford Dudley, a younger son of the Duke of Northumberland. He was the most powerful man in the country and acted as regent to the young king. When it became clear that Edward was dying, Northumberland had the fifteen-year-old Jane married, against her will, to his son. He wanted to prevent the throne from passing to Edward s half-sister, Mary Tudor. Northumberland, in May, persuaded Edward to declare Mary illegitimate, as well as his other half-sister Elizabeth. Jane would then have the valid claim to the throne. 1. posthumously: after the death of a person. 2. freckled: with small, brownish spots on the skin. 3. sandy: having a light colour, between yellow and red. 4. barge: a large boat with a flat bottom, used for carrying goods and people on canals and rivers. Lady Jane Grey s marriage 36