She wasn’t a pawn — Lady Jane Dudley was shaped by power, politics and purpose
For centuries she has been remembered as Lady Jane Grey: the tragic, passive “Nine Days’ Queen.” - But what if that story is wrong?
In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by historian and author Dr Joanne Paul to rage against one of Tudor history’s most persistent myths — the erasure of Lady Jane Dudley and the deliberate sidelining of the Dudley dynasty from her story.
This conversation dismantles the idea of Jane as a helpless victim of ruthless men and instead reveals a highly educated, politically aware young woman who understood exactly what the Tudor succession crisis meant — and what it might cost her. Drawing on contemporary evidence, Dr Paul explores Jane’s agency, intelligence and religious conviction, and explains why the Dudleys became convenient scapegoats once Mary I reclaimed the throne.
As the discussion widens, the episode exposes the brutal realities of Tudor power: shifting loyalties, manufactured villainy, and the dangerous fiction of “legitimate” succession. From Edward VI’s handwritten Device for the Succession to the execution of John Dudley and the astonishing rehabilitation of Robert Dudley under Elizabeth I, this is a deep dive into how dynasties rise, fall — and rise again.
Crucially, this episode also restores women to the centre of the narrative. From Jane Dudley herself to Jane, Duchess of Northumberland, the Dudley women emerge as formidable political operators whose influence shaped events long after the axe fell.
If you think you know the story of Lady Jane Grey, this episode will change your mind.
Key themes explored
Festival Info:
The Katherine of Aragon Festival Talks are on January 31st and February 1st 2026 at Peterborough Cathedral:
Tickets are available at: https://peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/about/history/katharine-of-aragon/kofa_26/
About the guest
Dr Joanne Paul is a historian, writer and public historian specialising in Tudor politics, power and reputation. She is the author of The House of Dudley, a groundbreaking study of one of Tudor England’s most misunderstood dynasties, and has consulted on major television productions including My Lady Jane.
Follow & contact Dr Joanne Paul
About History Rage
History Rage is the podcast where historians stop being polite and start getting angry — debunking myths, challenging lazy narratives and reclaiming complexity from centuries of oversimplification.
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Until next time — stay angry.
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