The emeritus professor of English history at Birmingham University said he and his students have “turned everything upside down” about past accounts of the ‘nine days’ Tudor queen Lady Jane Grey.

He said: “I was always dissatisfied with the explanations that people gave for the whole Lady Jane affair. I have discussed it with my students, and I decided in the end all I can do is sit down and write it.

“She should have been the real queen - not Queen Mary - which is completely contrary to what everybody says.”

Having taught at the university since 1958, Prof Ives has written two books about Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I.

He has spent the past ten years working on his forthcoming biography about the controversial Lady Jane. He said: “Some of it has been very frustrating and some of it has been fascinating.”

As part of the first Warwick Books History Festival, Prof Ives - who has lived in the town for 40 years - will be talking ahead of the book’s release next year about the problems involved in researching the short life Lady Jane, who was beheaded at the age of 16.

And he’s looking forward to taking part in a celebration of history in what he considers to be one of the country’s most historical towns.

He added: “I think Warwick is missing a very considerable tourist opportunity.

“We have got the castle, but we also have a lot of other things we can use, for example Northgate Street and the courts.”

Prof Ives will be appearing at Warwick Library on September 18 at 7pm. Other authors taking part in the event between September 17 and 20 include David Stafford, David Crystal and Roy and Lesley Adkins.

For a full programme of events visit Warwick Books in Market Place, Warwick, call 499939 or email warwickbooks@tiscali.co.uk