Lady Jane Grey
Simonetta Carr
Reformation Heritage Books
64 pages, $14
ISBN: 978-1-60178-190-1
What a delight to see and handle this beautifully illustrated book! Part of a new series of biographies of men and women of faith specially designed for young people, Lady Jane Grey’s story is sympathetically told.
Simonetta Carr untangles the complicated period of Tudor English history as she shows how Lady Jane, the fifteen-year-old cousin of young King Edward VI, was declared Queen of England at Edward’s death but just nine days later was accused of treason when Mary Tudor claimed the throne. Imprisoned in the Tower of London for six months, Jane was subsequently executed.
Although the sorrows of Jane’s life are muted at times for the sake of her young readers, Mrs Carr winds her way skilfully through all the intrigues of both scheming politicians and Jane’s ambitious parents who used her for their own advantage. She presents an attractive picture of a young girl whose courage and faith shine out from the narrative.
With at least fourteen evocative full-page illustrations by artist Matt Abraxas, plus numerous other photographs and historical illustrations, this book would make an excellent Christmas present for young people aged between eight and twelve.
Faith Cook,
Derby
