Lesson 4: Entirely Beloved. Henry VIII and Jane Seymour
Jane and Henry
This segment aims to provide students with a greater understanding concerning the relationship between Henry VIII and Jane Seymour.
One thing appears certain about Jane: before marrying the King, she must have carefully watched and studied Henry’s character; for Jane knew full well exactly the way to act as his wife. As maid to Anne Boleyn, she saw what female behaviours annoyed him, seeing that the King absolutely hated the women in his life getting the better of him.
Henry VIII enjoyed having women to talk to – but they needed to always remember their place in the scheme of things, ensuring that they didn’t push him too far, or dare to outshine him. The final word needed to be the King’s alone. It was a careful dance of feint and parry that Henry’s once much loved Anne Boleyn – gifted dancer that she was in real life – stumbled at, to the cost of her life. Through watching her, and her knowledge of the King’s relationship with Catherine of Aragon, Jane knew what not to do as Henry’s wife, striving to maintain what Fraser describes as the keynote of her character: submission. (1) Although, one thing she could be little certain of: whether her submission would gain what she needed most – a royal son for the King. Only that would cement her position as Queen.
An intelligent woman with a love of gardens, Jane so impressed the Spanish ambassador that he suggested the King adopt for her the honourable title of ‘Pacific,’ one who was the author and conservator of peace. (1) That may have been because Jane befriended a long-time friend of Chapuys: the Lady Mary, daughter of the King.
Jane did her best to heal the breach between Mary and her father – and Mary – after having her spirit crushed beneath her father’s own heel – repaid her with prayers that their marriage would give Jane and the King issue.
Fraser directs us to the suggestion that this friendliness may not have included Elizabeth.(2) But as Elizabeth was but only a child of two years and nine months at the time Jane became her father’s wife – after the execution of Elizabeth's own mother – it is doubtful that Jane would have set herself out to be deliberately unkind to such a small child.
Perhaps this suggestion has come about because, whilst Elizabeth remained mostly in the care of her own household, she seems to be forgotten by her father. Parental neglect forced her governess to write to Cromwell, the King's Secretary, after her charge had outgrown all her old clothes,
"I have driven it off the best I can that by troth I can drive it off no longer; beseeching you, my Lord, that ye will see that her Grace hath that which is needful of her." (3)
Whilst on a personal, domestic level, Henry had much reason to be well satisfied with his choice for his third bride, the King’s contentment was not reflected on the broader picture of his Kingdom. Henry’s Northern subjects stirred into rebellion, delaying Jane’s coronation.
The Pilgrimage of Grace came about as a protest against the changes imposed by Henrician reformation – both political and religious. Many people detested the Bible forced upon them. They hated the threat to their feast days and the way of life they had lived for generations. The break-up of the monasteries put whole communities in disarray – both lay and religious. Tens of thousands flocked to support this rebellion, “the northern men were so stiff-necked that they would in no way stoop, but stoutly stood and maintained their wicked enterprise.”
Very soon, Henry acted the part of a very angry King, full of contempt for his ‘ignorant’ subjects. But Henry’s thoughts of revenge were put aside for another time. To quell the rebellion, Henry VIII was forced to issue a general pardon.
This incident highlights not only Jane Seymour’s conservatism as a Catholic, but also Henry’s response when Jane dared to step out of her expected submissive role, and question her husband’s right as King. One story has Jane falling to her knees, begging him to restore the abbeys, (4) while another version has her saying ‘perhaps God permitted this rebellion for ruining so many churches.’ (5) Both stories have Henry chillingly reminding his Queen about the fate of his second Queen. Henry wasn’t about to tolerate another wife meddling too much in his affairs.
(1) Antonia Fraser, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, page 262
(2) Antonia Fraser, Work Cited, page 267
(3) Antonia Fraser, Work cited, page 163
(3) Page 4, Elizabeth the Great, Elizabeth Jenkins
(4) Antonia Fraser, Work Cited, page 271
(5) Ditto, page 272
References:
Elizabeth the Great, Elizabeth Jenkins
Henry VIII and Wives, by Antonia Fraser. Although more than just one book will be referred to during this course, Henry VIII and Wives is the main reference '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.
Question:
Do you see Jane Seymour as a really submissive wife?
