Marriage of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour
Marriage of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour is in 1536 Death of Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn's Miscarriage.
Hall's Chronicle 1536. 30 May 1536. The week before Whitsuntide the King (age 44) married lady Jane (age 27) daughter to the right worshipful Sir John Seymor (age 62) knight, which at Whitsuntide was openly showed as Queen.
Spanish Chronicle Chapter 32. 30 May 1536. How the King Married Jane Seymour (age 27)
A very few days after the execution of Anne, the King ordered his Council to be summoned, and said to them, "My lords, you know that Elizabeth was acknowledged as Princess, and my daughter Mary was disinherited. If I were to die without male heir there would be great dissensions in my kingdom, and I have, therefore, decided to marry. I bear much good-will towards Jane Seymour, and I beg you will approve of her for my wife." They all answered with one accord, "Let your Majesty do as you desire. We all consider her a worthy maiden, and we hope in God that your union will be fruitful and happy." No more was needed; and the next day he called the Archbishop of Canterbury, and in the presence of all he married Jane Seymour, and caused great festivities to be held. This good lady had been formerly a servant of Queen Katherine and in her heart always loved Madam Mary, her good daughter, so she begged of the King, as a boon that he would send for Madam Mary and treat her in a way suitable to her rank. The King sent for her at once more than thirty horsemen, who brought her back with great state to the palace; and when the good Queen heard of her arrival, she came out to the great hall to receive her, and embraced her and kissed her, and took her by the hand, not allowing her to kneel, and led her to her chamber. When the King heard of it he went to the Queen's chamber, and the good daughter knelt before him, and he gave her his blessing with tears in his eyes, saying, "My daughter, she who did you so much harm, and prevented me from seeing you for so long, has paid the penalty."
The King had not seen her for more than three years. The good Queen then knelt, and said to the King, "Your Majesty knows how bad Queen Anne was, and it is not fit that her daughter should be the Princess." So the King ordered it to be proclaimed that in future none should dare to call her Princess, but Madam Elizabeth.
The good Queen always had Madam Mary in her company, and when she left her chamber always led her by the hand. For this reason the Queen was much beloved by all, and the King showed great affection for his daughter Shortly afterwards the Queen became pregnant, and great rejoicings were held; and the King was advised that she had brothers who were gentlemen, one of them should be created Duke of Somerset, which was the title of the brother of Queen Anne. So he made the eldest brother Duke of Somerset, and to the other two grants of income were made, and of them we shall speak further on.
In due time, when the Queen was about to be delivered, they sent to London for processions to be made to pray God for a happy result, and after three days illness the most beautiful boy that ever was seen was born1. Very great rejoicings were held for his birth; but on the second day it was rumoured that the mother had died, which caused great sorrow. It was said that the mother had to be sacrificed for the child. I do not affirm this to be true, only that it was rumoured. The King sorrowed for this good lady more than he did for any other, and had her buried with great solemnity. The good lady was also deeply mourned by Madam Mary; and the King ordered that the should remain with her, and, until he married again, they remained in attendance on her, and treated her as if she were Queen.
Born at Hampton Court, 12th October, 1537.
Letters 1536. 30 May. R. O. 993. William Marche to Lord Lisle (age 72).
Your letter was delivered on Monday after my departure from Calais, and Mr. Secretary made me answer that he had given you a full answer to its contents. Mr. Boysse and I are at your commands, if we can do anything further. As to the horsemill, Mr. Dawnce told me it may not be set upon the King's ground, but if he had set it upon his own freehold it might have passed well enough. This day the King is known to be married unto one Mrs. Jane Semar [Jane Seymour (age 27)], Sir John Semar's (age 62) daughter; and my lord William [Howard] this day came out of Scotland in post and merry. London, 30 May 1536.
Hol., p. 1. Add. Endd.
On 30 May 1536 Henry VIII (age 44) and Jane Seymour (age 27) were married at Whitehall Palace [Map] by Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester (age 53). She by marriage Queen Consort England. He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England.
Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 41) and Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin (age 36) were appointed Lady in Waiting to Queen Jane Seymour (age 27).
Letters 1536. 31 May. R. O. 1000. John Husee to Lord Lisle (age 72).
The bearer, Mrs. Alice Warton, is the gentlewoman I wrote of, and I trust will do you good service. She has taken out a great part of the cushion, but has not had leisure to take out the whole. There remains the tree or flower and the beast, which is an unicorn. If you will have it taken out, I will get some woman or painter to do it. You will receive by this ship two dozen bowls, which cost 4s., and the coals which Annes Woodrove bought for you. It is said the coronation will not be till Michaelmas. "The King was married yesterday [to Jane Seymour (age 27)] in the Queen's closet at York Place or Manor, whose Grace is determined to see the watch on Midsummer night." London, 31 May.
Hol., p. 1. Add.
P.S. on the back:—Mine host Cross sends in this ship a kilderkin of ale, and desires his barrel again and some venison. Mine hostess will have half the thanks.
Letters 1536. 1 June [1536]. Otho. C. x. 278. B.M. Hearne's Sylloge, 147. 1022. Princess Mary (age 20) to [Henry VIII.]
Begs as humbly as child can for his daily blessing—her chief desire in this world. Acknowledges all her offences since she had first discretion to offend till this hour, and begs forgiveness. Will submit to him in all things next to God, "humbly beseeching your Highness to consider that I am but a woman, and your child, who hath committed her soul only to God, and her body to be ordered in this world as it shall stand with your pleasure." Rejoices to hear of the marriage between his Grace and the Queen (age 27) now being. Desires leave to wait upon the latter and do her Grace service. Trusts to Henry's mercy to come into his presence. As he has always shown pity, "as much or more than any prince christened," hopes he will show it to his humble and obedient daughter. Prays God to send him a prince. Hounsdon, 1 June.
Hol., mutilated.
