Henry VIII

Lesson 4: Entirely Beloved. Henry VIII and Jane Seymour

Plain Jane, and quiet like a mouse – or was she really? Who was this woman like that gave to Henry the only ‘royal’ son to live to succeed him – and was the woman Henry wished to be buried next to after death.

Plain Jane?

This segment will assist the student's understanding of Jane Seymour.

Ten days after the execution of Anne Boleyn, Henry married Jane Seymour. Once lady in waiting to both Queen Anne and Queen Catherine, Jane was then twenty-seven-years-old — not even a girl by the generous standards of our modern age. Holbein’s painting of Jane shows a woman with a “pure white complexion,” (1) flat features, prim mouth, shadowed eyes, lines etched all around, skin losing its elasticity; clearly a mature woman, fast losing the freshness of youth.

Putting aside the fact that there are few flattering portraits of Henry’s Queens, Jane’s likeness makes one wonder at her attraction for the King. Perhaps — like Anne Boleyn — here was a woman whose sexual appeal could only be experienced ‘in the flesh,’ per se. But Antonia Fraser’s The Six Wives of Henry VIII tells us that people of the time thought her not only charming but also very intelligent.(1)

Henry and Jane’s relationship began sometime the previous year — to Anne Boleyn’s hell-cat fury. But like Anne, Jane did not simply tumble into Henry’s bed. The fact that Jane hauled in her royal fish — hook, line and sinker —suggests a well laid out plan of conquest, whether it be a plan initiated by herself or through the machinations of Jane's family and Anne Boleyn’s enemies. Even so, if Anne Boleyn had given Henry a living son — exactly like Anne Boleyn if one of Catherine of Aragon’s sons had lived — Jane would have gone down in history as another woman who caught Henry VIII’s passion for a short time.

The miscarriage of a male fetus in January, 1536 was too much for the marriage of Anne and Henry VIII to withstand. Very soon, the King set Cromwell the task to disentangle him from the fragile cords that bound him to Anne — and Jane returned to court to be the King’s lady-love.

What were Jane’s feelings about this state of affairs? Even putting aside their religious differences, I don’t believe Jane would have possessed any liking for Anne Boleyn. Jane’s later championing of Catherine of Aragon’s daughter suggests that her loyalty remained with this much loved Queen – even after death. It is possible – with the old Queen now dead – Jane thought God had put her in a position to save the King and his Kingdom from the reformation scourge.

Antonia Fraser writes that ‘romantic advocates of Anne Boleyn claim Jane’s virtue as “some hypocritically assumed”. (2) While I admit to being one of these romantic advocates, I find it difficult to believe that a twenty-seven-years-old woman who had served two Queens was a white-lily of innocence. Also, an intelligent woman would know how best to play her virtue for what it was worth. Not that I am saying I agree with Eustache Chapus when he said, “You may imagine whether, being an Englishwoman and having been long at court, she would not hold it a sin to be still a maid,(3 ).”

Putting aside her strong Catholic beliefs, Jane knew her virtue was one thing that could assure her of a good marriage. Just before Anne’s execution, Jane fell to her knees, refusing a gift of money sent from the king, saying: “[I am] a gentlewoman of fair and honourable lineage without reproach.” (4) Her modesty so impressed the King he said he would not – his intentions being honourable – see her unless chaperoned by her kin.

Despite her lineage from Edward III through her mother’s family, and her father’s family going back to the Norman Conquest, Jane’s position in society hardly rated her as a fit consort for a King. The King also would have known – after his experiences with the Boleyns – that marriage to Jane would create her family as yet another powerbase within his kingdom that he needed to keep in check. But this King was used to doing things his own way. Once he decided he wanted something nothing – not even God – got in his way.

(1) Antonia Fraser, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, page 236

(2) Antonia Fraser, work cited, page 226

(3) Alison Weir, Henry VIII, The King and his Court, page 32

(4) Antonia Fraser, work cited, page 240

References: Henry VIII and Wives, by Antonia Fraser. Although many books will be referred to during this course, Henry VIII and Wives will be used as the main 'text.' Written in a very readable manner, this book is a very sensitive account of the six women who became the consorts of Bluff King Hal. Antonia Fraser's research is always excellent.

In Henry VIII, the King and the Court - a wonderfully researched book - Alison Weir brings alive Henry VIII in all his glory and his magnificent courtn not fearing a bit of controversy along the way. This is a must read for people interested in the period.

Question:

Do you think Jane a pure maid at the time she met Henry?

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