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1500s: Jane Grey’s tragedy was her royal blood.
Innocent Traitor
What you need to know before your trail
Lady Jane Grey was born into times of extreme danger. Child of a scheming father and a ruthless mother, for whom she was merely a pawn in a dynastic power game with the highest stakes, she lived a life in thrall to political machinations and lethal religious fervour.
Jane’s astonishing and essentially tragic story was played out during one of the most momentous periods of English history. As a great-niece of Henry VIII, and the cousin of Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, she grew up to realize that she could never throw off the chains of her destiny. Her honesty, intelligence and strength of character carry the reader through all the vicious twists of Tudor power politics, to her nine-day reign and its unbearably poignant conclusion.
Travel Guide
Jane Grey’s London
Bradgate House
While the exact details of Jane’s birth are not known, it is believed that she was born at Bradgate House, her father’s family seat. It’s now a partial ruin as the chapel is the only part left in tact.
The house was damaged in a fire in 1694 and by 1790 had fallen into disrepair.
Chelsea Place, London
Jane was sent to be a lady-in-waiting for Katherine Parr. Her husband Thomas Seymour was brought up at Wolf Hall. Their main resident was here at Chelsea Place in Ldonon
The original streets and houses are now more but are where Cheyne Walk, Chelsea now stands
Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire
Jane went here with Thomas and Katherine Seymour to Sudeley Castle in 1548, when Katherine went during her confinement.
Durham House, London
Jane was married to Lord Guildford Dudley in May 1553, aged 16 at Durham House. She didn’t want to marry him and soon moved back to her parents house
The buildings fell into desrepair and now are the Adelphi Buildings, which include the Royal Society of Arts. The site of Durham House is located near the Strand
The New Inn, Gloucester
This was the building where Jane was proclaimed Queen of England
This medieval inn is one of the finest examples of a galleried courtyard in England. The 600-year-old building is still run as a working inn and pub.
Tower of London
After she was proclaimed queen, Jane lived into the royal apartments at the Tower of London. Nine days later she was taken to another room and tol Mary I had been proclaimed Queen. Four months after Mary was crowned, Jane was executed here.
Booktrail Boarding Pass: Innocent Traitor
Destination: London, England Author/Guide: Alison Weir Departure Time: 1550s
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