Tudor Biographies

Jane was not know for her beauty. Even the Spanish Ambassador, who liked Jane, called her very plain. She had very pale skin and was blonde. Some say that the term "Plain Jane" comes a nickname given to Jane Seymour

During Anne's arrest and execution, Jane slipped away from court to her family's home in the country. However, the night of Anne's death, Henry joined her there and the two were betrothed the following day.

The two were married shortly afterwards and celebrated their union at Jane's father's home. She was publicly proclaimed Queen at the beginning of June, but was never officially crowned Queen like Katherine or Anne.

Jane is remembered for being kind to the Lady Mary, and helping in the reconciliation between her and her father. She is also remembered for pleading for those sentenced to death after the Pilgrimage of Grace. Henry, however, finally lost his temper with his new wife and reminded her of what happened to her predecessors. Jane submitted to his will and the men were executed.


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	Jane Seymour “Bound to Obey and Serve” Jane Seymour's birth year is generally unknown, but most scholars have placed it around 1508/9. She was born to Sir John Seymour and Margery Wentworth.When Princess Mary Tudor (sister of Henry VIII) went to France to marry King Louis XII in 1514, Jane's brother Thomas Seymour accompanied her as a member of her large household. It is possible that Jane also attended the her, but there is no documentary proof. She became a maid-of-honor to Queen Katherine of Aragon in 1532, and then Anne Boleyn in 1533. It wasn't until Feb. 1536 that Henry's interest in Jane became public knowledge. The King's marriage to Anne Boleyn was falling apart, and the King was looking for someone to replace her. Jane was a good candidate. She was meek, submissive, and quiet, quite the opposite of the independent Anne.
			Sketch of Jane by Holbien
		Jane was not know for her beauty. Even the Spanish Ambassador, who liked Jane, called her very plain. She had very pale skin and was blonde. Some say that the term "Plain Jane" comes a nickname given to Jane Seymour During Anne's arrest and execution, Jane slipped away from court to her family's home in the country. However, the night of Anne's death, Henry joined her there and the two were betrothed the following day. The two were married shortly afterwards and celebrated their union at Jane's father's home. She was publicly proclaimed Queen at the beginning of June, but was never officially crowned Queen like Katherine or Anne. Jane is remembered for being kind to the Lady Mary, and helping in the reconciliation between her and her father. She is also remembered for pleading for those sentenced to death after the Pilgrimage of Grace. Henry, however, finally lost his temper with his new wife and reminded her of what happened to her predecessors. Jane submitted to his will and the men were executed.
	Portrait showing Henry VII, Elizabeth of York, Henry VIII, and Jane Seymour. This portrait was painted after the death of Jane.
	In 1537, Jane became pregnant and on Oct. 12, 1537 gave birth to Henry's longed for heir. The child was christened Edward. However, the joy was short lived, for Jane contracted puerperal fever and died only 12 days later. She was buried at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, and Henry went into deep morning. She was forever remembered as his "true wife," the one woman who gave him the son he had so longed for. There are some ghost stories about Jane, saying that she walks the halls and court yard of Hampton Court Palace, where she died, carrying a candle.
			St. George's Chapel with the tomb of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour in the center isle.

	Contemporary Highlight Inscription on Jane's Tomb Stone "Here lieth a Phoenix, by whose death Another Phoenix life gave breath: It is to be lamented much The world at once ne'er knew two such."