Confidence in the midst of tragedy
Lady Jane Grey: Nine Day Queen of England by Faith Cook
How would you respond if someone came and told you they’d
decided you would be the next King or Queen? Would you feel flattered? Excited
about the power and prestige that would soon be yours? Maybe a little
intimidated? Following King Edward’s death in 1553, the King's protectors chose
Lady Jane as his successor. The alternative was Lady Mary, daughter of Henry
VIII, but they were concerned that as a staunch Catholic, Lady Mary would undo all
of the changes made by the reformers if she were to ascend the throne. A young
woman of 16, from a respectable and powerful Protestant family, and a direct
Tudor descendant, Lady Jane Grey could be used as pawn in these political
decisions.
Jane’s response was not what these powerbrokers wished to
hear – she immediately refused to become Queen, stating that Lady Mary was the
rightful heir! Sadly though for Jane, as with most decisions in her life, she
had very little say and in following days was taken to London in a procession
and announced as the new Queen of England.
Over the next week, a power struggle emerged between those
loyal to Mary, and those willing to support Jane. The reluctant new queen was completely at the mercy of those who had manoeuvred her into power and
promised to provide military support to keep her there. What an uncertain time
it must have been for Jane! It is an encouragement to continue to read of her steadfast
faith in God, and her trust that whatever the future held it would be in his
control and by his will.
As you might have expected, those who had earlier pledged
support for Jane each left her side and after nine days it was clear that Mary would
be proclaimed the rightful Queen of England. Sadly for Jane, this resulted in her
being imprisoned in the Tower of London and charged with treason. It seems that
at first Jane’s good character and standing with Queen Mary worked in her
favour. However, Mary’s advisors, keen to repeal any influence of the reformers,
pressured her into agreeing to the death penalty for Jane and her husband
Guildford Dudley.
It is sad to read that many of those who had embraced the
truths of the reformation and become Protestants at this time quickly renounced
their change and returned to Catholicism. This even included Lady Jane’s father
and father in law, who were so influential in the plot to make her Queen! It is
clear from Cook’s narrative that the temptation to place our trust in worldly
power and security was as attractive then as it is today.
I have read and reread Jane’s final letter to her sister the
night before her execution a number of times. It is emotional, honest and yet
full of confidence in her salvation. Here are just a few sentences:
“Rejoice in Christ, as
I do. Follow the steps of your Master Christ, and take up your cross: lay your
sins on his back, and always embrace him… For I am assured, that I shall, for
losing of a mortal life, win an immortal life, the which I pray God grant you,
and send you of his grace to live in his fear, and to die in the true Christian
faith, from the which (in God’s name) I exhort you, that you never swerve,
neither for hope in life, nor for fear of death.”
Lady Jane Grey indeed lived a tragic life with so much of it
outside her control. Reading about how badly she was treated, even by her own
family, is difficult. Yet she continued to put her faith in God, and trust in Christ
Jesus’s death and resurrection for her salvation. Reading Christian biographies
like this one is a great way to see how God has continued to work in the lives
of his people throughout history. It is an encouragement to live for Him, no
matter the circumstances we face in life. It also helps us to appreciate the
sacrifices Christians have made so that we can enjoy the freedom and ability to
worship Jesus publicly, in our own language, and without fear of persecution. Those
who came after Queen Mary established Protestantism as the official religion in
England, and encouraged the key reformation truths which Jane had so boldly
held herself. Lady Jane Grey’s life, and the witness to Christ of others at the
time, is something to give great thanks to God for.
About this month's contributor, Sarah Cameron
I love to read, but don't get much time at the moment as looking after my toddler keeps me on my toes. I’m thankful to be part of the St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield and Bossley Park church family, where Gus my husband is an Assistant Minister. Not originally from the South West, our free time is spent exploring the local area, experiencing new foods and getting to know people from different backgrounds.