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Helen Castor tells the story of Lady Jane Grey, the first reigning queen of England. Three days into Jane's reign the clock is ticking. Mary Tudor is determined to seize power.

Jane is known as the 'Nine Days Queen' - and three days into her reign the clock is ticking. Mary Tudor, eldest daughter of Henry VIII, is determined to seize power. Both women are raising armies.

The manipulative Duke of Northumberland is dispatched from the Tower of London to lead Jane's forces against Mary at her castle at Framlingham. Northumberland sets out for a battle that could descend into civil war. But ordinary people can turn the tide of history. Will they go against the odds and side with the Catholic Mary Tudor?

Jane's military leaders send heavily armed ships to the coast of East Anglia to prevent Mary escaping by sea and to cut her off from any help that might come from Catholic supporters in Europe. But the crews rebel and turn the ships and their weapons over to Mary. Mary and Jane now have armies matched in size and matched in firepower. The future of the country - its religion and its ruler - hangs in the balance.

59 minutes

Credits

RoleContributor
PresenterHelen Castor
Lady Jane GreyEilidh Loan
King Edward VIAshley Gyngell
Mary TudorLainy Boyle
John DudleyMichael Adams
Henry GreyRobin Jones
ParticipantJohn Guy
ParticipantAnna Whitlock
ParticipantLeanda de Lisle
ParticipantJ Stephan Edwards
ParticipantJoanne Paul
ParticipantSally Dixon-Smith
ParticipantJames Sharpe
Production CompanyDarlow Smithson Productions Ltd
DirectorBill Thomas
Executive ProducerEmily Dalton
Executive ProducerTim Green
ProducerJenny Mauthe
ProducerLucie Crawford

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