47. His Sister Wanted The Throne
You don't have to be a brilliant historian to see that Lady Jane Grey's claim to the throne was...sketchy. At the very last minute, Edward, who'd been wasting away for months at this point, cut his sisters out of the succession. Then he just so happened to make the Lord Protector's nobody daughter-in-law his heir. With Grey's grasp on the throne shaky at best, Edward's sister Mary pounced.
They don't call her Bloody Mary for nothing. She made sure everyone who tried to take her rightful crown from her paid a terrible price.
48. His Sister Rallied The People
Bloody Mary was Henry VIII's own daughter. Lady Jane Grey was Henry VIII's...sister's...granddaughter. It doesn't take a genealogy wiz to see who has the stronger claim to the throne. Mary quickly rallied thousands of supporters to her cause. With the people at her back, Mary turned the tables on poor Jane Grey. She was just her father-in-law's puppet anyway, not like you can blame her for it.
Sadly, that didn't save her from her grim fate.
49. His Successor Lasted Nine Days
Mary convinced the Privy Council to depose Lady Jane Grey—forevermore known as the Nine Days Queen—and declare her Queen Mary of England. She subsequently had Jane and her husband tossed in the Tower of London and accused them both of treason. There, Jane rotted away for the better part of a year before Mary finally decided to get rid of her.
Mary had Jane Grey beheaded in February 1554—but in a way, she was lucky. Mary's revenge against Jane's father-in-law, John Dudley, was far more swift and brutal.
50. The Scheming Regent Met A Dark Fate
John Dudley came this close to becoming the undisputed ruler of England, but he just couldn't get over the finish line. Edward's demise ended up sealing Dudley's fate as well. Give John Dudley credit for one thing: His whole plan with Lady Jane Grey was bold. Just a little too bold if you ask me. Dudley didn't count on the fact that the people of England saw right through his plan and turned on him in an instant.
By the time Mary's men dragged Dudley back to London for his execution, he barely even made it to the chopping block. Guards could scarcely hold back a furious crowd who wanted the blood of the man who tried to steal the throne.
51. His Mother Still Cared
When Edward's mother, Jane Seymour, married Henry VIII, she must have known she could have two paths: bear him a son or die. After all, had just beheaded his last wife, Anne Boleyn, for that exact reason. What Seymour likely didn't plan for was doing both. She bore Henry a son and died. That meant she never got to see her son on the throne. Still, she clearly cared for the boy, as a heartbreaking inscription on her grave proves.
The Tudors (2007–2010), Showtime Networks
52. His Mom's Epitaph Is A Tribute To Him
Jane Seymour's grave bears this inscription: "Here lies Jane, a phoenix / Who died in giving another phoenix birth. / Let her be mourned, for birds like these / Are rare indeed." Sadly, these words proved more prophetic than anyone realized. Jane Seymour burned out tragically young, and her son burned out even younger still.
The Tudors (2007–2010), Showtime Networks
53. His Father Made A Ruthless Decision
Apparently, the gods really didn't want Henry VIII to have a son. Queen Jane Seymour's labor was particularly brutal, likely because of Edward's position in the womb. Things got so dicey that at one point, the doctors believed it might come down to a terrible choice. Save the baby, or save the queen. According to one report, when attendants asked the king what he wanted to do, his reply was utterly heartless. “If you cannot save both, at least let the child live,” he said.
Twisting the knife, he then added, “For other wives are easily found.” For all he claimed Jane Seymour was his one true love, it doesn't seem like Henry put his money where his mouth was.
The Tudors (2007–2010), Showtime Networks
54. He Had A Disturbing Temper
The more you learn about Edward, the more you realize how much of a bullet England dodged when he passed so young. Somewhere between sharing clothes with his dad and the jewel-encrusted forks, Edward was a brat to end all brats. And, like all spoiled brats, he had a vicious temper. But most rich kids just throw tantrums and cry—Edward VI's fury was much more disturbing.
According to one contemporary, during one fit of rage, Edward ripped a living falcon into four pieces with his bare hands. Now imagine what that kind of person could have done as a full-fledged king. No, Edward wasn't some tragic innocent figure as history might have you believe. The truth was a whole lot darker than that.
The Tudors (2007–2010), Showtime Networks
