John Grey of Groby

Sir John Grey, of Groby, Leicestershire (c. 1432 – 22 February 1461), was a Lancastrian knight, the great-grandfather of Lady Jane Grey, Queen of England.

Grey was the son and heir of Elizabeth Ferrers, Lady Ferrers of Groby (1419-1483) and of Sir Edward Grey (c. 1415–1457). His father was summoned to parliament as 6th Baron Ferrers of Groby in right of his wife.Douglas Richardson & Kimball G. Everingham, "Plantagenet Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families", p. 359]

In about 1452, Sir John Grey married Elizabeth Woodville, the eldest daughter of Richard Woodville, 1st Earl Rivers, and Jacquetta of Luxembourg, widow of John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford. They had two sons, Thomas, later Marquess of Dorset, and Richard. [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/11547/?back=,11560 "Sir John Grey (c.1432-1461), knight"] in "Grey, Sir Richard (d. 1483), nobleman" by Rosemary Horrox in "Dictionary of National Biography" online (accessed 26 November 2007)] Elizabeth later became the co-heiress of her brother, Richard Woodville, 3rd Earl Rivers.

Sir John Grey was killed at the Second Battle of St Albans in 1461, fighting for the Lancastrian cause. Ironically, his widow, Elizabeth, later married Edward IV who was the Yorkist claimant to the throne.

Before his death, Grey began the construction of Bradgate House. The ruins of the house are still visible at the centre of the park there.

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