Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour was born around 1508 at Wulfhall in Wiltshire, the daughter of Sir John Seymour and Margery Wentworth. She served as a lady-in-waiting to both Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn.

Jane was the opposite of the vivacious Anne Boleyn—quiet, modest, and submissive. Her motto was "Bound to obey and serve." She caught Henry VIII's attention during Anne Boleyn's pregnancy in 1536, and their relationship developed rapidly after Anne's execution.

Henry and Jane married on 30 May 1536, just eleven days after Anne Boleyn's death. Unlike her predecessor, Jane avoided political involvement and focused on reconciling Henry with his daughter Mary.

On 12 October 1537, Jane gave birth to the long-awaited male heir, Prince Edward, at Hampton Court Palace. The labor was extremely difficult, lasting nearly 30 hours. Jane appeared to recover initially and was well enough to receive guests, but she fell ill with what was likely puerperal fever.

Jane died on 24 October 1537, twelve days after giving birth. Henry was devastated by her death. He wore black for three months and later said that of all his wives, Jane was the one he loved most.

Jane was the only one of Henry's wives to receive a queen's funeral, and Henry chose to be buried beside her at Windsor Castle. Her son Edward would become king at age nine but died at fifteen.