Six Queens: Jane Seymour

She was Henry’s favourite wife. He was later buried beside her in Windsor. Why? Because despite his two previous feisty Queens, Jane Seymour was unremarkably unremarkable.

She had a traditional feminine education in stitching, cooking, etiquette and the rest of that nonsense. She could only write her name.

Jane wasn’t completely stupid though, she served both Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn as their Lady in Waiting. So she would have seen that meddling with the king could have grave consequences. She was also reminded by Henry to stay out of Royal business.

Jane obeyed her husband, she was quiet, subservient and would sign in the Kings seal rather than her own. She devoted her life to be a good wife and even made efforts to raise the young princesses: Mary and Elizabeth.

Jane’s subservience was rewarded. Whilst still married to Anne, Henry courted Jane but she refused to be his mistress which only made him love her more. She was gifted lots of jewellery and even after marriage, she was given gifts as proof of his love.

Yet despite Jane being Henry’s favourite, Jane never received a proper coronation and therefore wasn’t technically allowed to wear a crown. She was the King’s wife, but not a crowned queen. This was partly due to their wedding taking place literally 11 days after Anne’s death. Talk about moving too fast.

Jane quickly removed all presence of Anne in the court by ordering all the ladies to wear traditional English dress and not French dress.

But, Jane remained Henry’s favourite because she gave him the most prized gift of all. A son. The future Edward VI. Unfortunately her labour wasn’t simple, she was in labour for 2 days and 3 nights and eventually died 12 days later due to childbirth.

It’s a pretty sad tale. But it proves that in order to be the King’s favourite, you’ve got to be quiet, prim and proper. The only reason why we don’t forget her is because of yet another man, her son.

In a way, Jane might have been a different queen if she hadn’t seen what went before her. She might have been more outspoken and challenged things more. But to keep her head on her shoulders (literally) she stayed loyal.

Anne of Cleeves next, the apparent catfish.

Till next time Biscuit Breakers!

– Henna