Asexualwar999

On This Day (06 Jul) in 1553, at around 8 o'clock in the evening, fifteen-year-old Edward VI died at Greenwich Palace.

Edward's health had first started to decline in Spring 1552, when he contracted measles (and possibly smallpox); whilst there was signs of recovery, the young king's immune system remained compromised. Over the winter and into the spring, Edward's health continued to deteriorate, with the king showing signs of pulmonary infection, likely tuberculosis, which left him weak and bedbound.

Showing no signs of recovery, in April 1553, likely under the guidance of Lord President of the Regency Council John Dudley, 1st Earl of Northumberland, Edward wrote his first draft of 'My Devise for the Succession', in which he nominated his kinswoman Frances Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk and her daughters "heires masles" as his preferred successor. However, as there were no male heirs within this line, by Jun 1553 further amendments were made, confirming Frances's eldest daughter Jane Grey, and strategically Northumberland's new daughter-in-law, as his nominated successor.

Edward's death was intentionally not announced for several days, giving time for Northumberland and his allies to instigate their plans in placing Jane Grey on the throne, gathering at the Duke's newly acquired residence, Syon House. His body remained at Greenwich, being embalmed and placed within a lead coffin.

Edward's funeral was finally held on 08 Aug 1553, with his half-sister Mary having successfully succeeded to the throne and her enemies defeated and imprisoned. The siblings had clashed during Edward's lifetime regarding their respective religious beliefs; however, on the advice of her councillors, Mary allowed her brother to be buried in a Protestant ceremony, whilst a Catholic Requiem was simultaneously held at the Queen's Chapel within the Tower of London. He was buried in the Lady Chapel, close the coffin of his paternal grandfather Henry VII, although no monument was erected.