Deep Dive into Foxe's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe - The Words and Behavior of the Lady Jane upon the Scaffold

Lady Jane Gray was executed primarily because she accepted the crown of England following the death of King Edward VI. This act was considered unlawful against Queen Mary I, and her consent to it led to her condemnation by law. While she was urged by friends and described as very young and ignorantly accepting what others had contrived, her actions incurred the implacable resentment of the bloody Mary.On the scaffold, Lady Jane maintained a remarkable dignity and composure. She acknowledged that she was condemned by law for the unlawful act but washed her hands of its procurement or desire on her part. She declared herself a good Christian woman, stating her only hope for salvation was through the mercy of God in Jesus Christ. She confessed neglecting the Word of God and loving herself and the world, believing this was the reason for her punishment. She prayed the Psalm of Miserere mei Deus in English and calmly prepared for death, asking the executioner to "despatch me quickly". Her final words were, "Lord, into Thy hands I commend my spirit". She was executed on February 12, 1554, around the age of seventeen.On the same day, her husband, Lord Guilford, was also beheaded. He too was described as innocent compared to those who judged them. The judge who condemned her, Judge Morgan, reportedly fell mad shortly after giving sentence, crying out for Lady Jane before he died. Not long after, her father, Henry, duke of Suffolk, was executed on Tower-hill, followed by her uncle, Lord Thomas Gray, who was apprehended in North Wales and executed. Many other gentlemen and yeomen were also condemned and executed during this period.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianPatreon: patreon.com/edi_reformed