Biography of William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset 1588-1660

Paternal Family Tree: Seymour

Trial and Execution of Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset and his Supporters

On 22 Jan 1552 Edward Seymour 1st Duke Somerset (age 52) was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]. He was buried at St Peter ad Vincula Church, Tower of London [Map]. Duke Somerset, Earl Hertford, Viscount Beauchamp forfeit. His great-grandson William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset was restored to the titles in 1660.

In 1588 William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset was born to Edward Seymour (age 26) and Honora Rogers. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

On 22 Jun 1610 William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 22) and Arabella Stewart (age 35) were married in secret at Palace of Placentia, Greenwich [Map]. For having married without permission King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 44) had Arabella Stewart (age 35) imprisoned in Sir Thomas Perry's House Lambeth, Surrey and he in the Tower of London [Map]. She the daughter of Charles Stewart 5th Earl Lennox and Elizabeth Cavendish Countess Lennox. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

On 21 Jul 1612 [his father] Edward Seymour (age 50) died.

On 25 Sep 1615 [his wife] Arabella Stewart (age 40) died at Tower of London [Map] from illnesses exacerbated by her refusal to eat.

On 03 Mar 1617 William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 29) and Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 17) were married at Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire [Map]. She the daughter of Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex (age 50). They were fourth cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

In 1618 [his daughter] Frances Seymour Countess Southampton was born to William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 30) and [his wife] Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 18).

Diary of Anne Clifford 1619. 28 Apr 1619. The 28th my Lord (age 30) and I, my Coz. Sackville and Lady Windsor went to the Tower to see my Lady Somerset (age 28), where we saw her little child (age 3)1. My Lord (age 30) went to see Earl of Northumberland (age 55)2 and I and the Lady Windsor went to see Lady Shrewsbury (age 63)3, and after supper my Lord (age 30) and I went by water to Channel Row to see my [his grandfather] Lord of Hertford (age 79)4 and his Lady (age 40) where we found my Lady Beauchamp5, my Lord Essex’s (age 28) Sister, then I went to Arundel House and talked with her about Lords being made Knights of the Garter.

Note 1. “Her little Child,” Anne Carr (age 3), afterwards married to William 5th Earl and 1st Duke of Bedford (age 2).

Note 2. Henry (age 55), 6th Earl, a Prisoner since the time of the Gunpowder Plot.

Note 3. Mary Cavendish (age 63), wife of Gilbert 7th Earl of Shrewsbury, was sent to the Tower in June 1611, at the same time with her niece the [his former wife] Lady Arabella Stuart first cousin of King James. Lady Arabella died, in the Tower, in 1615.

Note 4. Earl of Hertford (age 79) son of Protector Somerset, and his 3rd wife Frances (age 40), d. of Thomas Viscount Howard of Bindon, widow of Henry Pranell, Esq., and married, 3rdly to Ludovick Stuart Duke of Lenox and Richmond (age 44).

Note 5. [his wife] Lady Frances Devereux (age 19), and wife of William Lord Beauchamp (age 31), afterwards Marquis of Hertford; daughter of Queen Elizabeth’s favourite, and sister of the Parliament’s General (age 28).

In 1621 [his son] William Seymour was born to William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 33) and [his wife] Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 21).

In 1622 [his son] Robert Seymour was born to William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 34) and [his wife] Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 22).

Before 09 Sep 1623 Henry Shirley 2nd Baronet (age 35) and [his sister-in-law] Dorothy Devereux Lady Shirley (age 23) were married. She the daughter of Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex (age 56).

In 1626 [his son] Henry Seymour was born to William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 38) and [his wife] Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 26).

On 30 Mar 1636 [his sister-in-law] Dorothy Devereux Lady Shirley (age 36) died.

Around 1637 [his son-in-law] Richard Molyneux 2nd Viscount Molyneux (age 18) and [his daughter] Frances Seymour Countess Southampton (age 19) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Molyneux. She the daughter of William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 49) and Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 37). She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

In 1637 [his daughter] Mary Seymour Countess Winchelsea was born to William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 49) and [his wife] Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 37).

In 1637 [his daughter] Jane Seymour Baroness Clifford was born to William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 49) and [his wife] Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 37).

In 1641 William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 53) was created 1st Marquess Hertford.

On 16 Jun 1642 [his son] William Seymour (age 21) died.

In or before 1645 [his son] John Seymour 4th Duke Somerset was born to William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 56) and [his wife] Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 45).

In 1646 [his son] Robert Seymour (age 24) died.

On 28 Jun 1648 [his son] Henry Seymour (age 22) and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort (age 17) were married at Little Hadham, Hertfordshire [Map]. He the son of William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 60) and Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 48). They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

Around 1650 [his son-in-law] Heneage Finch 3rd Earl Winchilsea (age 22) and [his daughter] Mary Seymour Countess Winchelsea (age 13) were married. She by marriage Countess Winchilsea. She the daughter of William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 62) and Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 50). He the son of Thomas Finch 2nd Earl Winchilsea and Cecily Wentworth Countess Winchelsea. They were third cousins. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

In 1650 William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 62) was appointed 447th Knight of the Garter by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 19).

On 30 Mar 1654 [his son] Henry Seymour (age 28) died. He was buried at Bedwyn Magna Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire.

In 1656 [his son] John Seymour 4th Duke Somerset (age 11) and [his daughter-in-law] Sarah Alston Duchess Somerset (age 14) were married. He the son of William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 68) and Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 56). He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

On 07 May 1659 [his son-in-law] Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester (age 52) and [his daughter] Frances Seymour Countess Southampton (age 41) were married. She by marriage Countess of Southampton. She the daughter of William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 71) and Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 59). He the son of Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton and Elizabeth Vernon Countess Southampton. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

Before 24 Oct 1660 William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 72) was restored 2nd Duke Somerset, 2nd Earl Hertford. [his wife] Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 61) by marriage Duchess Somerset.

On 24 Oct 1660 William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset (age 72) died. His grandson William Seymour 3rd Duke Somerset (age 6) succeeded 3rd Duke Somerset, 2nd Marquess Hertford, 3rd Earl Hertford.

On 23 Apr 1674 [his former wife] Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 74) died.

[his father] Edward Seymour and [his mother] Honora Rogers were married. He the son of Edward Seymour 1st Earl Hertford and Catherine Grey Countess Hertford. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset 1588-1660 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

King Henry VII of England and Ireland 1457-1509

Royal Ancestors of William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset 1588-1660

Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 3 Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Kings Scotland: Great x 13 Grand Son of William "Lion" I King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 13 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 6 Grand Son of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France

Royal Descendants of William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset 1588-1660

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom x 1

Diana Spencer Princess Wales x 2

Ancestors of William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset 1588-1660

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Seymour 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Seymour 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Coker

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Seymour 9 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: George Darell of Littlecote

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Darell 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Stourtron 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Seymour 1st Duke Somerset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Wentworth 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Wentworth 4th Baron Despencer 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Clifford Baroness Despencer 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margery Wentworth 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Saye 8 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Saye Baroness Despencer 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cheney 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

GrandFather: Edward Seymour 1st Earl Hertford 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stanhope

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Stanhope

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Stanhope

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Jerningham

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret or Mary Jerningham

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Clifton

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Stanhope Duchess Somerset 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bourchier Baron Fitzwarin Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Fulk Bourchier 10th Baron Fitzwarin 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Thomasine Hankford 9th Baroness Fitzwarin 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bourchier 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Father: Edward Seymour 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Grey 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bonville 6th Baron Harington 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Grey 1st Duke of Suffolk 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Wotton

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Wotton of Boughton Malherbe

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset

GrandMother: Catherine Grey Countess Hertford Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Brandon

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Brandon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Wingfield 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Bruyn aka Darcy

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bruyn

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Darcy

Great x 1 Grandmother: Frances Brandon Duchess of Suffolk Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Tudor 1st Earl Richmond 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Henry VII of England and Ireland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Tudor Queen Consort France Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Edward IV of England 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth York Queen Consort England Daughter of King Edward IV of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

William Seymour 2nd Duke Somerset 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Mother: Honora Rogers