It was the Duke of Suffolk, Lady Jane Grey’s father, who walked out onto Tower Hill, commanding his men-at-arms to leave their weapons behind, “I am but one man, but I here proclaim the Lady Mary’s Grace Queen of England.” Jane never saw her father again.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Northumberland was arrested. He was hoping for a pardon, believing Mary was a merciful woman. Instruction from Mary had to be awaited. Lady Jane’s household was reduced to four persons in 11 days between her father-in-law’s arrest and Mary state entry into London. She left the White Tower for the Gentleman-Gaoler’s lodgings on the Green. Guilford was removed to the Beauchamp Tower, where he was later joined by his father and his four brothers.
On 3 August 1553, Mary rode triumphantly into London in a procession of over 800 nobles and gentlemen, and her half-sister Elizabeth.
Jane was initially spared. “My conscious will not permit me to have her put to death”, Mary said. Neither Jane nor her mother, father or husband were sentenced to death, though Jane and Guildford were convicted of treason. Her father-in-law, seen as the brains behind the operation, was executed on 22 August 1553. The Protestant rebellion of Thomas Wyatt the Younger in January 1554 sealed Jane’s fate, although she had nothing to do with it. Jane’s father and two of his brothers joined the rebellion. Now there was no choice but to follow through with the conviction. Jane and Guilford were executed on 12 February 1554. Her father followed on 23 February. Jane’s mother was in the Tower for some time but was eventually forgiven.
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