Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour 1509?-1537, third queen consort of Henry VIII of England. She served as a lady in waiting to both of Henry's first two queens, Katharine of Aragón and Anne Boleyn . Henry became interested in her c.1535, but Jane refused to accept any proposal other than marriage. This was a strong factor in the institution of trial proceedings against Anne Boleyn. Jane and Henry were married (1536) less than two weeks after Anne's execution. Jane was a partisan of Katharine of Aragón and strove to reunite the king with Princess Mary. Parliament vested succession to the throne in Jane's issue, and in 1537 she gave birth to a son, later Edward VI . She died 12 days later.

Jane Seymour (c.1509–37), 3rd queen of Henry VIII. Jane Seymour was a lady‐in‐waiting to Anne Boleyn in 1534 when she began to attract Henry's attention. From a Wiltshire gentry family at Wolf Hall, she was said to be quiet and amiable, while Anne was growing more highly strung and imperious. By May 1536 Anne was under arrest and Jane's marriage took place soon after her execution. A new Act of Succession disinherited the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth in favour of Jane's offspring. In October 1537 she gave birth to the future Edward VI but died twelve days later.

Jane Seymour (c.1509–37), 3rd queen of Henry VIII. Jane Seymour was a lady-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn in 1534 when she began to attract Henry's attention. From a Wiltshire gentry family at Wolf Hall, which the king visited in September 1535, she was said to be quiet and amiable, while Anne was growing more highly strung and imperious. By May 1536 Anne was under arrest and Jane's marriage took place soon after her execution and before the month was out. Honours were showered upon her family. Her elder brother Edward (the future Protector Somerset) was created Viscount Beauchamp in June and earl of Hertford in October 1537: another brother, Thomas, became a gentleman of the privy chamber. A new Act of Succession disinherited the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth in favour of Jane's offspring. In October 1537 she gave birth to the future Edward VI but died twelve days later. Henry seems to have felt genuine grief and ten years later was buried at Windsor at her side.

J. A. Cannon