Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Henry Grey |
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|---|---|
| Duke of Suffolk Marquess of Dorset |
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 |
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| Possible portrayal of Henry Grey | |
| Spouse(s) |
Frances Brandon
(m. 1533) |
| Issue | |
| Lady Jane Grey Lady Katherine Grey Lady Mary Grey |
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| [[]] | House of Grey |
| Father | Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset |
| Mother | Margaret Wotton |
| Born | 17 January 1517 Westminster, London, England |
| Died | 23 February 1554 (aged 37) Tower Hill, London |
Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk (born January 17, 1517 – died February 23, 1554) was an important English nobleman during the Tudor period. He was the father of Lady Jane Grey, who was briefly Queen of England.
Contents
Who Was Henry Grey?
Henry Grey was born in Westminster, London, on January 17, 1517. His father was Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset, and his mother was Margaret Wotton. His family had connections to royalty. His great-grandmother, Elizabeth Woodville, later became the wife of King Edward IV.
Henry's Family Life
His Marriage and Children
In 1533, Henry Grey married Lady Frances Brandon. This marriage was special because Frances was the daughter of Mary Tudor, Queen of France, who was King Henry VIII's sister. This made Frances a cousin to the future King Edward VI.
Henry and Frances had three daughters:
- Lady Jane Grey (1537–1554)
- Lady Katherine Grey (1540–1568)
- Lady Mary Grey (1545–1578)
Henry Grey's Career in Royal Service
Serving King Henry VIII
When his father passed away in 1530, Henry Grey became the 3rd Marquess of Dorset. He became a regular presence at King Henry VIII's court. He held important ceremonial roles, such as carrying the king's sword at major events. He was also honored as a Knight of the Garter, which is a very high award. In 1545, he helped lead the English army in France.
Serving King Edward VI
After King Henry VIII died in 1547, his young son King Edward VI took the throne. At first, Henry Grey was not as close to the new government. He focused on his family and tried to increase their standing.
In 1551, Henry Grey was given the title of Duke of Suffolk. This was a very important title, showing his growing power and influence at court.
His Strong Protestant Beliefs
Henry Grey was well-known for his strong support of the Protestant faith. He corresponded with important religious leaders of the time. In Parliament and as a member of the King's council, he actively pushed for more Protestant changes in England. He helped make his home county, Leicestershire, a strong Protestant area.
The Time of Queen Jane
Why Lady Jane Grey Became Queen
King Edward VI became very ill. He was convinced by powerful nobles, including John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, to name Lady Jane Grey as his successor. This was because Jane was Protestant, and they wanted to keep England Protestant. On July 6, 1553, King Edward died. Three days later, Henry Grey, Northumberland, and others declared Jane queen.
The End of Queen Jane's Reign
However, this plan did not work out. Many people supported Mary, King Henry VIII's eldest daughter, who was Catholic. The King's council soon switched their support to Mary. Henry Grey's daughter, Lady Jane Grey, was queen for only nine days.
Because of his wife's friendship with the new Queen Mary, Henry Grey and his family were not immediately punished. However, in January 1554, Henry Grey joined a rebellion led by Thomas Wyatt the Younger. This rebellion tried to overthrow Queen Mary after she announced her plan to marry King Philip II of Spain.
For his part in this rebellion, Henry Grey was found guilty of treason. He was executed on February 23, 1554, at Tower Hill, London.
Images for kids
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Arms of Grey
See also
In Spanish: Henry Grey para niños
