Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk, is often reduced to a footnote in history — simply the mother of the tragic Lady Jane Grey. But who was she really?

In this episode, I dive into the life of Frances Brandon, born on 16th July 1517 — niece of Henry VIII, daughter of Mary Tudor, Queen of France, and a woman maligned by centuries of misrepresentation.

Was she truly the cold, cruel mother some have claimed? Or has one quote from a teenage Lady Jane Grey unfairly shaped her legacy?

I'll explore:

- Frances’s elite Tudor lineage 

- Her controversial portrayal as a harsh mother

- Her entanglement in the 1553 succession crisis

- The truth behind the myths, with insight from historian Susan Higginbotham

And the softer side of Frances, seen in her later love match and quiet life after tragedy

Join me in uncovering the real story of a woman who deserves more than the shadow of her daughter’s brief reign.

Read Susan Higginbotham’s full article:

https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/the-maligned-frances-grey-guest-post-by-susan-higginbotham/

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