Lot 177
[Jane, Lady Grey] - Queen Jane's Council
Two Documents, including the Proclamation of Queen Mary I, Mary Tudor
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs | 644
Auction: 23 June 2021 at 11:00 BST
Description
document issued by Queen Jane's Council, directed to the Bishop of Salisbury and six Wiltshire and Gloucestershire knights, announcing the proclamation of Mary Tudor as Queen, dated 19th July 1553 at Baynard's Castle (City of London) "From Baynardes Castell the xixth of July 1553", subscribed by Thomas Cranmer as Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Goodrich as Bishop of Ely, The Marquess of Winchester, the Earl of Bedford, the Earl of Shrewsbury, The Earl of Pembroke, Sir Thomas Cheyne, Sir John Cheke, and Sir William Cecil, declaring that Mary Tudor is: "in juste and laufull possession of thimperiall crowne of this realme...", 21 x 30cm; [The Second Document] Chaffyn, Thomas report on Queen Mary's speech to the Commons on the 1st February 1554, with a second section describing the Duke of Suffolk (Henry Grey) being charged in court for High Treason on the 17th February 1554, subscribed "T.C'", folio, folded, 20.5 x 30cm (2)
Footnote
Note: The first letter, sent by Lady Jane Grey's Privy Council, formally acknowledges the reign of Queen Mary I, thus abandoning Lady Jane Grey's claim to the throne. The letter states: "wee havying no good oportunitie afore yhis tyme have proclaymed this day in the Citie of London, our sovereign lady Quene Marye to be in juste and laufull possession of thimperiall crowne of this realme, as by the proclamation sent to youe herewith more playnly shall appere..."
Lady Jane Grey was famously 'Queen for nine days' following the death of the young Edward VI on 6th July 1553, who had written the 'Device' proclaiming that she should be his heir, being a Protestant, unlike his elder sister, Mary Tudor. On 10th July, Jane was declared Queen by the Privy Council. However, Jane's support quickly dwindled in favour of Mary and, on the 19th July, the Privy Council switched allegiances and declared Mary to be Queen, as seen in this letter. Jane, not yet aged eighteen, was subsequently executed at the Tower of London on the 12th February 1554. Her father, Henry Grey, the 1st Duke of Suffolk, was executed several days later for his part in another attempt to overthrow Mary I when she announced her intention to marry King Philip of Spain.