Page "John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland" Paragraph 29

At some point during his illness Edward wrote a draft document headed " My devise for the Succession ".

Due to his ardent Protestantism Edward did not want his Catholic sister Mary to succeed, but he was also preoccupied with male succession and with legitimacy, which in Mary's and Elizabeth's case was questionable as a result of Henry VIII's legislation.

In the first version of his " devise ", written before he knew he was mortally ill, Edward bypassed his half-sisters and provided for the succession of male heirs only.

Around the end of May or early June Edward's condition worsened dramatically and he corrected his draft such that Lady Jane Grey herself, not just her putative sons, could inherit the Crown.

To what extent Edward's document — especially this last change — was influenced by Northumberland, his confidant John Gates, or still other members of the Privy Chamber like Edward's tutor John Cheke or Secretary William Petre, is unclear.