Today we have the third part in a six part series on the Wives of Henry VIII.
Jane Seymour was born 1508. She was, like Henry's first wife, a Catholic. After Anne Boleyn also proved unable to give Henry the son he so desperately wanted, he turned his eye to Jane Seymour. Because Jane was a pious Catholic, she also refused to bed him until they were married. She paraded her virginity and piety in front of Henry in order to drive him crazy with desire. Henry, unable to afford the scandal of divorcing Anne, decided to have her beheaded because of high treason (as adultery in a queen was decidedly turned into). He then married Jane. Jane, it has been said, was presented to Henry to turn him away from Protestantism and back to Catholicism. He refused this, but he did marry Jane.
Jane was soon pregnant after their marriage. Finally, after three wives, Henry had the son he always wanted. Jane, of all his wives, was secure in her position as queen. Unfortunately, she died of an infection from the birth. She was the only wife who was buried next to Henry as his consort.
Most definitely, Jane was Henry's favorite wife. Not only was she pious, quiet, and neat (as the ideal wife of the time was), but she also gave him the heir he always wanted. After his marriage to Jane ended in her death, Henry had no appetite for a new wife. However, as we know because he had six, he was convinced otherwise.
Her Wikipedia Page
Her Tudor History Page
Her Page in Luminarium
Next Time we Discuss....
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