Crown of Blood: The Deadly Inheritance of Lady Jane Grey

(Paperback)

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Good people, I am come hither to die, and by a law I am condemned to the same.
These were the words uttered by the seventeen-year-old Lady Jane Grey as she stood on the scaffold awaiting death on a cold February morning in 1554. Forced onto the throne by the great power players at court, Queen Jane reigned for just thirteen tumultuous days before being imprisoned in the Tower, condemned for high treason and executed.
In this dramatic retelling of an often misread tale, historian and researcher Nicola Tallis explores a range of evidence that has never before been used in a biography to sweep away the many myths and reveal the moving, human story of an extraordinarily intelligent, independent and courageous young woman.

Reviews

A stunning debut * The Spectator *
Poignant * The New York Times *
Talliss clear writing and well-paced narrative heighten the storys climactic and tragic ending. * Publishers Weekly *
A highly intelligent and enjoyable study which brings us as close to a flesh-and-blood Lady Jane Grey as we may ever come. * History Today *
A stunning debut from a young historian who deserves to be recognized as a major talent in her field. It's history as it should be written, vivid, colourful, pacy and evocative, but above all authentic and based on sound and innovative research. It's an outstanding contribution to our knowledge of Lady Jane Grey. -- Alison Weir
Authoritative, thoughtful and elegantly written. Telling use of original sources makes fresh and vivid as well as moving the story of a girl too often dismissed as a mere blank canvas onto which others could write. A genuinely impressive debut. -- Sarah Gristwood
Through meticulous research, Nicola Tallis pieces Lady Jane Greys fascinating story together, and in so doing brings this extraordinary young woman vividly to life. Engagingly written and utterly compelling throughout. A stunning debut. -- Tracy Borman
This is a wonderful investigation of Lady Jane Grey, enlightening and gripping, full of superb research and beautifully written. -- Kate Williams

Author Bio

Nicola Tallis is a historian and researcher. She has previously lectured at the University of Winchester and worked with Historic Royal Palaces and the National Trust, as well as at Sudeley Castle, where Lady Jane Grey lived for a time, alongside Katherine Parr. As a researcher, Nicola has worked with many great writers, including Alison Weir and Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Crown of Blood is the result of five years of research on the Grey family and is her first book.