[Editor’s Note: Lady Jane Grey (1536/1537 – 12 February 1554). Jane’s Protestantism made her the preferred candidate of those who supported the Reformation. The dying Edward VI wrote his will, nominating Jane and her male heirs as successors to the Crown, in part because his half-sister Mary was Catholic, whereas Jane was a committed Protestant and would support the reformed Church of England.]
Lady Jane, the scaffold awaits you at the end.
Step by step, from Tower of England to Tower Green.
What else could she have said?
What did the dignitaries gather to see?
A child, like David, took a stand against ‘the dead.’
A debate, they said, a last chance to agree.
Petite, freckled-faced girl with auburn hair said
To her majesty’s clergy, the Reformers’ enemy,
“I affirm only faith alone saves me.”
Verily, the two will never meet again.
One a martyr, one deceived.
Lioness Lady Jane, by grace, you have gained Heaven.
From Tudor nobility, your given name
And blessed to live in a time of new light.
Your position laid high was evil’s aim,
By the ambitious, self-seeking lot, wanting your birthright.
But a seed was growing in your heart fanned by a flame.
A torch ignited by spiritual playwrights.
Bilney, Frith, Tyndale and others came
To snuff out the darkness of centuries’ blight.
Chosen men to bring God’s word out of the night
Only to become a pyre for whose hearts were emboldened.
These were the wellspring of your glorious fight.
Little Lady Jane, by grace, you have gained Heaven.
Taught as a child in royal protocol and evangelical principle
Yet, overshadowed by your parents’ betrayal.
Your soul took solace in the English Bible.
The Midlands offered escape also, with yellow and green utopian portrayals.
But taken from this land to a place quite terrible.
Young Princess-in-waiting by defrayal
With ears that could hear lifesaving parables,
Her spirit searched for the eternal.
All leading to one great trial.
Reached the goal that no one could threaten,
While she witnessed unshakable faith that was no less than fatal.
Lovely Lady Jane, by grace, you have gained Heaven.
Men in position did as they pleased
Exposed to violence at such a young age,
For God’s glory she was conceived.
In a sea of perplexity, she transformed to a sage.
You became the Nine Days Queen.
Like Esther, you were not dismayed.
Spiritual war started by ninety-five Theses.
The devil forced now to count his days.
The Lord was blowing on the winds of change.
But her life just starting was nearing its end.
Trusting in Jesus, she was adopted into his family.
Brave Lady Jane, by grace, you gained Heaven.
Betrayed by a cousin you adored,
There would be no escape from Bloody Mary.
On the horizon was a doomed civil war.
But today the cruel axe would not tarry.
Black velvet and a prayer book that you wore.
Goodbye husband, goodbye sisters, father and all who are teary.
The death warrant at last satisfied in the winter of fifteen fifty-four.
Her enemies considered her life trumpery.
But the day will dawn for her and all who are weary.
This one produced what was sown times a hundred.
As will all who, with the Spirit, carry.
Redeemed Lady Jane, by grace, you have gained Heaven.