English nobility. Duke of Northumberland. Son of Edmund Dudley, who was executed by Henry VIII. Distinguished in battle, Dudley became a shrewd and calculating politician. In a time of great religious division, he played on both Catholic and Protestant sympathies in order to advance his own political agenda and eliminate adversaries. Named himself Duke of Northumberland in 1551. He became very powerful over the ailing Edward VI, and schemed to prevent the Catholic Princess Mary from inheriting the throne after the King's death, convincing the privy council and the King to name his daughter-in-law, Lady Jane Grey as heir. Upon Edward's death, Dudley did not act quickly enough to put Jane on the throne, and she reigned only nine days. Dudley was found guilty of treason for trying to prevent Mary's accession and imprisoned in the Tower of London along with two of his sons. Dudley tried to escape execution by renouncing Protestantism, saying "A living dog is better than a dead lion." He was executed on August 23, 1553.
English nobility. Duke of Northumberland. Son of Edmund Dudley, who was executed by Henry VIII. Distinguished in battle, Dudley became a shrewd and calculating politician. In a time of great religious division, he played on both Catholic and Protestant sympathies in order to advance his own political agenda and eliminate adversaries. Named himself Duke of Northumberland in 1551. He became very powerful over the ailing Edward VI, and schemed to prevent the Catholic Princess Mary from inheriting the throne after the King's death, convincing the privy council and the King to name his daughter-in-law, Lady Jane Grey as heir. Upon Edward's death, Dudley did not act quickly enough to put Jane on the throne, and she reigned only nine days. Dudley was found guilty of treason for trying to prevent Mary's accession and imprisoned in the Tower of London along with two of his sons. Dudley tried to escape execution by renouncing Protestantism, saying "A living dog is better than a dead lion." He was executed on August 23, 1553.
Bio by: Kristen Conrad
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