Thomas Seymour and Elizabeth Tudor

Clips focusing on Thomas Seymour, 1st Baron Sudeley and Lord High Admiral (c.1508 - 1549) and his relationship with Elizabeth. Thomas Seymour was the second son of John Seymour and therefore brother to Edward Seymour, Lord Protector of England and Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's third wife. As such he was also uncle to Edward VI, Jane Seymour's son by Henry. Thomas Seymour was noted for his ambition and his attempts to gain more power for himself during the reign of his nephew. An example of his ambition was his treatment of Elizabeth Tudor, Henry VIII's younger daughter. Henry had ensured that his daughter Elizabeth was include in the English succession and provided her with land and wealth. Seymour had made attempts to marry one of Henry's daughters but his advances had been rejected by Edward's council who had to grant permission for Mary and Elizabeth to marry. Instead he married Henry VIII's widow, Katherine Parr who was Elizabeth's guardian. His conduct with Elizabeth was indecent and eventually Katherine sent Elizabeth away. Seymour's ambition continued after his wife's death; he went on to bribe Sir William Sharington, Master of the Mint in order to collect capital for his other plans. When he was questioned about his conduct and granted an opportunity to explain himself in front of the council he decided instead to embark on another risky plan -- to kidnap the boy king. He was caught in the act, arrested and found guilty of treason by his attempts to usurp powers from his brother, the Lord Protector of the realm. He was beheaded in March 1549. A popular myth is that upon hearing his death Elizabeth is said to have remarked: 'Today died a man with much wit and not much judgment'