Category Archives: 1553

Did Lady Jane Grey Wear Chopines?

Posted on July 21, 2019 by Christine Hartweg

The following supposed eyewitness description of Lady Jane Grey is from a 1909 book, Lady Jane Grey, by Richard Davey: ‘”This Jane is very short and thin, but prettily shaped and graceful. … The new Queen was mounted on very … Continue reading →

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18 August 1553: The Duke of Northumberland’s Trial

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Christine Hartweg

The trial for treason of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, took place on 18 August 1553 at Westminster Hall. The Spanish merchant Antonio de Guaras may have been an eyewitness. Guaras lived in London and “spoke good English” according to … Continue reading →

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20 July 1553: The Duke and Dr. Sands at Cambridge

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Christine Hartweg

On 20 July 1553 John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, arrived with an army at Cambridge, returning from the venture to capture Mary Tudor (who had proclaimed herself Queen of England). Cambridge had been a stop on the duke’s progress to … Continue reading →

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6-9 July 1553: King Edward VI Dies and Lady Jane Grey Becomes Queen

Posted on July 6, 2017 by Christine Hartweg

Here’s a little excerpt (bar the footnotes) from my book John Dudley: The Life of Lady Jane Grey’s Father-in-Law: Edward VI died in the evening of 6 July 1553, in the arms of his favourite courtiers Henry Sidney and Thomas … Continue reading →

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“I Can Saye No More”: John Dudley’s Farewell Speech to the Council

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Christine Hartweg

In the morning of 14 July 1553 the streets of London were bustling with preparations for an armed response to the Lady Mary’s challenge against the newly proclaimed queen, Jane. Jane’s father-in-law, the Duke of Northumberland, had been appointed (by … Continue reading →

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A Grand Conspiracy in 1553? – Grants

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Christine Hartweg

Money is probably the best evidence for a conspiracy in 1553. The “cash flow” does not only tell us that there was a plot, but also when it took place. In May, but mostly in June 1553, a lot of … Continue reading →

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A Grand Conspiracy in 1553? – Foreign Affairs

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Christine Hartweg

On 13 March 1553 the English privy council busied itself with granting a licence for the export of 200,000 pairs of old shoes.1 On 27 June 1553 the members of the same council swore themselves to secrecy about their forthcoming … Continue reading →

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A Grand Conspiracy in 1553? – Parliament

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Christine Hartweg

Historians have disagreed considerably on deciding when exactly the Duke of Northumberland’s plot to plant his son Guildford on the English throne – by marrying him to Lady Jane Grey – came into being. Traditionally this happened quite early, sometime … Continue reading →

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Andrew Dudley Meets the Emperor

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Christine Hartweg

On 28 December 1552 the Duke of Northumberland imparted his latest thoughts on English diplomacy to his right hand man, Sir William Cecil. King Edward had just okayed the council’s suggestion “to employ ministers abroad for the public weal of … Continue reading →

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Guildford Dudley’s Looks

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Christine Hartweg

Every Tudor enthusiast knows that Guildford Dudley, Lady Jane Grey’s equally short-lived husband, was blond. This “fact” comes from a supposed eyewitness description of Jane’s solemn entry into the Tower of London, printed in a 1909 “biography” by Richard Davey: … Continue reading →

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