Edward VI of England

:Edward Tudor redirects here; for another (though unlikely) Edward Tudor, see a putative younger son of Henry VII of England, thus this Edward's uncle if existed

Death

Edward died in Greenwich on 6 July 1553, either of tuberculosis, arsenic poisoning, or syphilis. He would later be buried in Westminster Abbey. As Edward lay dying, the Duke of Northumberland (according to legend) symbolically stole the crown from him and gave it to his daughter-in-law, the Lady Jane.

Related Topics:
6 July - Tuberculosis - Arsenic poisoning - Syphilis - Westminster Abbey

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Edward VI's death was kept secret for a couple of days so that preparations could be made for Jane's accession. High civic authorities privately swore their allegiance to the new Queen, who was not publicly proclaimed until 10 July. But the people were much more supportive of the rightful heir under the Act of Succession, Mary. On 19 July, Mary rode triumphantly into London, and Jane was forced to give up the Crown. Jane's proclamation was revoked as an act done under coercion; her succession was correctly deemed unlawful. Thus, Edward's de jure successor was Mary I, but his de facto successor was Jane.

Related Topics:
Queen - 10 July - 19 July - London

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The Duke of Northumberland was executed, but the Lady Jane and her father were originally spared. In 1554, when Mary faced Wyatt's Rebellion, the Duke of Suffolk once again attempted to put his daughter on the Throne. For this crime, both Jane and the Duke of Suffolk were executed.

Related Topics:
1554 - Wyatt's Rebellion

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After Edward's death at the age of fifteen, rumours of his survival persisted. To take advantage of the people's delusions, several imposters were put forward as rightful Kings. These impersonations continued throughout Mary I's reign, and even far into Elizabeth I's reign. Mistaken identities also feature in the American author Mark Twain's novel, The Prince and the Pauper, in which the young Edward VI and a pauper boy of identical appearance accidentally replace each other.

Related Topics:
American - Mark Twain - The Prince and the Pauper

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