Lady Jane Grey

Great-granddaughter of Henry VII through Mary Tudor, Queen of France, and an unwilling instrument of her father-in-law John Dudley's attempt to keep the throne Protestant. Proclaimed queen on Edward VI's death, abandoned by her supporters within nine days as Mary Tudor's claim drew unstoppable popular backing. Initially spared, she was beheaded the following year at sixteen after her father joined Wyatt's Rebellion — the youngest woman ever executed for treason in English history.