[1] Smallpox, measles and the plague were among the most dreaded infectious diseases of the Tudor period. Get notified! After Anne Boleyn's execution, Jane marries Henry about ten days later. Historians debate whether Jane Seymour played a role in the downfall of Henry's second wife, her enemy and predecessor. The Plague of 1536-7 and Jane Seymour’s Delayed Coronation. The King requested an urgent meeting of the Privy Council to confer on the matter and said, “What then? There is no appearance that she will have children”. Jane also loves to smile, as she is seen grinning several times … It is we, Lady Rochford, who must always honour and obey. Do not be troubled for me, for I have great reason to be happy." Sometimes infectious diseases spread at the same time, as was the case in the summer of 1518, when one worried observer wrote to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey that Henry VIII left London “for they do die in these parts in every place, not only of the smallpox and measles, but also of the great sickness [plague]”. Subscribe to email updates from Tudors Dynasty. Married to King Henry VIII: 30 May 1536 Queen's Closet, Whitehall Palace. The plague eventually died down, and had Jane survived she would certainly have been crowned in reward for giving birth to Henry VIII’s long-awaited male heir. She was noted to be very plain and not pretty. The only time she ever disobeys his wishes is when she begs him to restore and keep the abbeys. Anne is deeply distressed and prays for her husband's life in the church, where Thomas Cromwell finds her. [3] The Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Volume 15, pp. She was noted for having inner beauty and noble character, and despite not being exceptionally foolish she was very subservient to Henry. The accounts of John Nedham, the Clerk and Surveyor General of the King’s works, shows that a team of skilled carpenters was working in the palace of Westminster in preparation for Jane’s upcoming coronation between 27 August and 24 September 1536. He leaves the room and it seems the locket has become the first emblem of their mutual affection. Michaelmas Day is not so high a day”, giving to understand that the coronation on 29 September would likely be cancelled. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Rushes mixed with herbs were strewn on the floors of royal palaces, and the wealthy used perfumes. Becoming less interested in his new wife Anne Boleyn with her failure to … She is portrayed by Anita Briem in the second season before the actress is replaced by Annabelle Wallis in season 3. The only time she ever disobeys his wishes is when she begs him to restore and keep the abbeys. Jane is "sworn in" as one of Anne's ladies in waiting, much to the queen's displeasure. After Jane Seymour's death Henry didn't marry again for three years. However, Henry was unfaithful to Jane as well. Jane Seymour was portrayed by Anita Briem in Season 2. You'd listen to your people and your heart. It is likely Briem had other projects in mind and Wallis was brought to the cast to fill the void, however the exact reason why Briem chose to leave, "Are you saying that I should be Queen instead of her? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 167-168. [6] Letters and Papers, Henry VIII, Volume 10, n. 739. She is a very popular queen. Jane Seymour was born around 1508-09 at Wolf Hall to Sir John Seymour and Margery Wentworth, her education was typical of a Tudor English lady, it included: Embroidery, dancing, household management, good manners and how to read and write a little bit in English. Women are put upon much in this world. [12] Letters and Papers, Henry VIII, Volume 12 Part 2, n. 179. She is shown great favor by Henry, but unfortunately after the birth of Prince Edward, later King Edward VI, Jane contracts a childbirth disease, puerperal fever, and dies less than two weeks after Edward's birth. The Other Seymours: John Seymour, Son of Katherine Fillol, Marry in Secret, Repent in the Tower (Guest Post), The Plague of 1536-7 and Jane Seymour’s Delayed Coronation. Died: 24 October 1537 Hampton Court Palace. Jane was not the sort of woman that Henry usually liked. Jane Seymour was a character in The Tudors and the third wife of Henry VIII. https://thetudorsseries.fandom.com/wiki/Jane_Seymour?oldid=4054. The theory that “miasma” or a “bad air” carried illness through the air was very popular, and so the Tudor people made sure to avoid bad smells. Her kind heart and noble character earns her much popularity as queen. Some people speculated that the coronation was likely to be postponed and others wrote letters to Cromwell asking if the rumours that Jane was to be crowned on 31 October were true.[7]. Jane herself died of postnatal complications on 24 October 1537. She was noted for having inner beauty and noble character, and despite not being exceptionally foolish she was very subservient to Henry. The rich carried pomanders—little metal balls filled with herbs—to ward off unpleasant and potentially deadly smells. ", "I beg you to restore and keep the abbeys. [6] On 1 May, two gentlemen of the Inner Temple had died of it, and on the 15th the Abbot of York asked to be excused from attending Parliament because the plague had reached near his house at St Paul’s. Jane also loves to smile, as she is seen grinning several times throughout her appearances in the episodes. She was also rather old to be unwed, but Henry loved her to death anyway, and remembered her as his favorite wife for many years. On 27 September 1536, two days before Jane’s expected coronation, the King had an audience with Ralph Sadler and pondered whether the coronation should be deferred, “seeing how the plague reigned in Westminster, even in the Abbey”. He continues thinking about her and it is clear that he intends to make Jane his next queen. [14] Margaret Grey, Marchioness of Dorset, who was to be the prince’s godmother, was banned from entering the royal household after two persons died in the Archbishop of Canterbury’s palace at Croydon, where she stayed en route to Hampton Court Palace. She is Henry's favorite wife and the only consort to give him a male heir. There is some speculation that Jane had a c-section, which, if true, would have been the cause of her death. The real reason behind the coronation’s postponement was the plague coupled with social unrest. Jane was a very compassionate and kind woman. In this article I would like to debunk the often repeated myth that Henry VIII refused to crown his third wife, Jane Seymour, before the birth of a male heir. (Jane's reaction upon hearing Henry has a mistress). It is my desire as much as I can to promote their interests. She is the most popular queen in the series since Catherine of Aragon. Various rumours circulated at court, and on 8 July John Husee informed Lady Lisle that “the Coronation will not be till after All Hallow tide [31 October]”. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! I must do it quietly but I will do it all the same. Henry feels her loss greatly, and mourns for her three years. Facebook no longer shows our posts to a majority of our followers - Don't want to miss out on new articles? The cancellation of Jane’s coronation had more to do with a deadly infectious disease that was spreading in England at the time. [4] Letters and Papers, Henry VIII, Volume 11, n. 47. At first, however, she seems to be a more conniving and clever maiden and flirted with and kissed the married King while his wife was pregnant. Nedham’s accounts clearly show that work progressed at a swift pace, with the original coronation date set for 29 September 1536, the Feast of Michaelmas. [2] Letters and Papers, Henry VIII, Volume 11, n. 8. [4] On 6 September, Husee wrote further that it was “expected the Coronation will be on St Edward’s day [13 October], unless the sickness stay [delays] it”. Born: 1508 or 1509 Possibly at Wolf Hall, Wiltshire. When I was writing my new book, Medical Downfall of the Tudors, it really struck me that in the sixteenth century people lived with dangerous infectious diseases every day because epidemics swept through England on a regular basis, killing children and adults alike. This is an enamel pin badge featuring Jane Seymour, Queen of England, mother of Edward VI, and third wife of Henry VIII.This pin is also available as part of a set of Tudor pins featuring Henry VIII and his six wives!This is a 35mm hard enamel pin badge with a rubber clutch fastening. Many historians still wonder why Henry liked Jane and how a woman as unremarkable as her became Queen of England. She is very good to her ladies in waiting and all servants in general, not ordering them to do deeds and treating them the way she, as a queen, would like to be treated. ", "When I am Queen I should hope to see her reinstated as heir apparent. [10] By 11 December, Husee expressed hope that “all danger of the plague is well nigh past”, but he was wrong.[11].