Seymour, Jane (c. 1509–1537)
Seymour, Jane (c. 1509–1537)
Queen of England. Born c. 1509 (some sources cite 1506) in England; died from puerperal fever at Hampton Court on Oct 24, 1537; dau. of Sir John Seymour (a courtier) and Margaret Wentworth (d. 1550); m. Henry VIII (1491–1547), king of England (r. 1509–1547), in 1536; children: Edward VI (1537–1553), king of England (r. 1547–1553).
Third wife of Henry VIII who gave birth to the king's only male heir, Edward VI, was lady-in-waiting for queens Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn; began to receive the attentions of Henry VIII (1535); married him (1536); though she was not to become as heavily involved in state affairs as her predecessor, was responsible for reconciling the king with his eldest daughter, Mary (I); was beloved by both her husband and the English people; died 12 days after giving birth (1537).
See also Women in World History.