Jane was born at Wolf Hall in Wiltshire in 1505, the daughter of Sir John Seymour and Margaret Wentworth. What's interesting is that Jane was under the King's eye for many years before he actually noticed her as she served not only Henry's first wife - Katherine of Aragon, but also his second, Anne Boleyn.
No one is really too sure how Jane came to the King's attention but it is thought that it might have been when Henry stayed at Wolf Hall in September 1535. Even though she had been brought to his attention on that occasion it wouldn't be until five months later that people began to notice Henry's interest in Jane.
What's remarkable is that Jane Seymour's character was totally the opposite of the lively Anne Boleyn. Where Anne was often seen as loving the good life, Jane was calm and gentle - perhaps just what Henry needed after his hearty relationship with Boleyn? What is clear is that Henry didn't waste any time. Within a day of Anne's execution, Henry and Jane were betrothed.
On May 30, 1536 Jane and Henry were married, just eleven days after Anne's execution, but even their marriage would be different from Henry's two previous ones. Both Katherine and Anne were given coronations - meaning they were crowned Queens of England, Jane was never given the same position, Henry withheld that from her.
The king was desperately hoping for a son, a son who could rule England after his death. So far his first two wives had failed him, perhaps third time lucky? Henry became even more desperate when his illegitimate son died. Henry Fitzroy was the son of the king and his one time mistress Elizabeth Blount. Henry Fitzroy was 17 years old when he died. Now Henry had no son at all, not even an illegitimate one - he was becoming concerned.
When Jane's pregnancy was announced in 1537, Henry was a happy man indeed. Naturally he hoped for a son and so Jane must be kept happy. The world was at Jane's feet, she was pampered to her heart's content. There was great joy and satisfaction all around when on October 12, 1537; Jane Seymour delivered England's future king, Edward VI. Sadly Jane wouldn't live long enough to see her son grow she died on October 24th, less than two weeks after Edward's birth.
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