Jane Seymour

• 1. The Quiet Birth At Wulfhall

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  Jane Seymour entered the world at Wulfhall in Wiltshire, though some historians suggest West Bower Manor in Somerset as her birthplace. Her exact date of birth remains unknown to modern scholars, with estimates ranging from 1504 to 1509. Most experts place her arrival between 1508 and 1509. Through her maternal grandfather, she traced her lineage back to King Edward III's son Lionel of Antwerp. This connection made her a fifth cousin to King Henry VIII. She also shared a great-grandmother named Elizabeth Cheney with Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Jane lacked the extensive education enjoyed by Catherine of Aragon or Anne Boleyn. She could read and write only a little but excelled at needlework and household management. These skills were considered far more necessary for women of her station than scholarly pursuits. Her embroidery work was reportedly beautiful and elaborate. Some pieces survived until 1652 when they were given to the Seymour family.

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• 2. Gifts And The Refusal Of Gold

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  Henry VIII began sending Jane gifts in February 1536 according to Imperial Ambassador Eustace Chapuys. A letter arrived accompanied by a purse full of sovereign coins. Jane returned both items unopened to the messenger who may have been Richard Page. She instructed him to tell the king that no treasure in this world held value equal to her honor. She asked Henry to reserve such gifts for a time when God would grant her an advantageous marriage. Conservative court members including her brother Edward saw her as a tool to undo reformist policies from Anne's reign. Biographer Antonia Fraser suggests Jane's refusal might have been practical rather than strategic. Protecting her reputation meant protecting future marriage prospects since she lacked independent wealth. Henry arranged for Jane and her brother Edward to move into Thomas Cromwell's apartments at Greenwich Palace. This allowed Edward to act as chaperone while Henry continued his pursuit. By late 1535, Henry had embarked on a royal tour with Anne staying at Wolf Hall for one week in September.

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• 3. The Wedding Day And The Crownless Queen

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  During summer 1537 Jane led a quiet life attended by royal physicians and midwives. She developed a craving for quail while pregnant. Henry instructed John Russell to contact the Viscount and Viscountess Lisle in Calais. They sourced fat birds from marshes around their home and Flanders. Jane went into confinement in September 1537 giving birth at two o'clock in the morning on the 12th of October 1537. The future King Edward VI was born at Hampton Court Palace after labor lasting two days and three nights. The baby was not well positioned during delivery. After christening on the 15th of October 1537 it became clear she was seriously ill. Jane died on the 24th of October 1537 at Hampton Court Palace. Conflicting accounts emerged within weeks regarding her cause of death. Jennifer Loach suggested infection from retained placenta. Alison Weir speculated puerperal fever following bacterial infection. Medical consultation later pointed toward pulmonary embolism as a possible factor.

  Jane was buried on the 12th of November in St George's Chapel Windsor Castle. A procession of

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• 4. Quail Cravings And The Morning Of Death

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  29 mourners followed Mary acting as chief mourner. One mourner represented each year of Jane's life. She remained the only wife of Henry VIII to receive a queen's funeral. Henry wore black for three months after her death. He gained weight becoming obese and swollen while developing diabetes and gout. When he died in 1547 he was buried beside her remains per his request. Thomas and Edward Seymour used her memory to improve their fortunes during Edward VI's reign. Thomas married Catherine Parr instead of pursuing Elizabeth I. Edward set himself up as Lord Protector and de facto ruler of the kingdom. Both brothers eventually fell from power and were executed. The Seymour family had been hindered by scandal involving Jane's father's affair with Catherine Filliol.

  Lady Margery Lyster managed Jane's jewels including beads pomanders tablets girdles brooches bracelets buttons aglets and chains. Many pieces were gold decorated with enamel or set with gems. An inventory from

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• 5. The Procession Of Twenty Nine Mourners

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  1542 listed costumes stored in Whitehall Palace's Old Jewel House. Gowns included damask velvet satin kirtles cloth of silver taffeta purple cloth of gold cloaks sleeves embroidered with Venice gold tied with gold aglets. Placards stomachers frontlets French hoods billiments partlets and crimson velvet hats appeared on the list. Jane reportedly embroidered a bed and chair later given by Charles I to William Seymour. Items in the 1542 inventory included embroidery possibly her own work such as a cushion featuring an antelope. A piece showed a branch of roses and crowned white falcon associated with Anne Boleyn. Jane owned great and little babies dolls dressed in cloth of silver satin and velvet tied with gold aglettes like her own sleeves.

  Wendy Barrie played Jane opposite Charles Laughton in Alexander Korda's 1933 film The Private Life of Henry VIII. Lesley Paterson portrayed her briefly

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• 6. Velvet And Silver Embroidered Sleeves

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  in Anne of the Thousand Days released in 1969. Anne Stallybrass appeared as Jane in the 1970 BBC series The Six Wives of Henry VIII alongside Keith Michell as Henry. Jane Asher reprised the role in the 1972 film adaptation. Charlotte Roach played her in David Starkey's 2001 documentary series. Naomi Benson portrayed Jane in The Other Boleyn Girl in 2003. Emilia Fox played her in the October 2003 ITV drama Henry VIII. Ray Winstone starred as King Henry in that production. Miss Springfield voiced Jane in The Simpsons episode Margical History Tour from 2004. Corinne Galloway depicted her in another version of The Other Boleyn Girl in 2008. Anita Briem and Annabelle Wallis played her across seasons of The Tudors on Showtime. Kate Phillips took the role in Wolf Hall and its sequel Mirror and the Light.

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