Jane Seymour's tranquil personality and the short life she lived.
Born in 1509 to Sir John Seymour - a wealthy descendant of Edward III - and Margery Wentworth, Jane received not the elaborate and progressive education, her two predecessors had, instead she learnt needlework and domestic duties - she was so under academically educated that she could only read and write her name. She was described as "of middle stature and no great beauty" by the Spanish Ambassador, and though she had beautiful pale skin, few considered her large nose, small lips and deep-set eyes as astounding.
Jane moved to court in 1529 and was a handmaiden for Queen Catherine, and later Queen Anne in 1535, so even as a young girl, she knew the workings of the court - and Henry's love life - inside out. On a visit to the Seymour household, Henry was taken by Jane's subservient, placid and sweet nature, a stark contrast to his divorced wife, and indeed to his current Queen, Anne Boleyn, too. One similarity between the current Queen and young Jane was their refusal at Henry's advances when he pursued them as mistresses. It is said that in one instance, Henry sent Jane a bag of coins, and an invitation to join him in his bedroom, but Jane refused, saying she "would rather die a thousand times" than to become a mistress and taint her honour, for she was pious and a true Catholic.
11 days after Anne Boleyn's execution, Henry and Jane married in a private ceremony, however, she was never crowned Queen. Some speculate it was because of Henry's desperate desire for a son, and that he would only crown Jane once she had provided one, however it is much more likely that Henry couldn't afford a ceremony, after an outbreak of plague in October 1536. All remanence of Anne was removed from court, apart from one set of H and A initials the woodcarvers missed in their frantic readjustments.
Jane played an important role as the young princess Mary's stepmother too, and though Jane was only 8 years her senior, she took a great part in helping to reunite the pair in July 1536.
During the Pilgrimage of Grace, Jane reportedly sunk to her knees one day to beg her husband and king to restore the monasteries, since she had secretly believed in the rebellions since the beginning, however when Henry responded and reminded his queen of the fate of his wives who had "meddled in his affairs", Jane would learn her lesson and never interfere again.
Unlike Henry - who likely continued his renowned affairs through their marriage, Jane was known for her virtue and piety, and though she had been engaged once before, to William Dormer, the marriage plans fell through - she had no previous affairs to taint her reputation.
After over a year of a happy marriage to Henry, Jane gave birth to the son her husband had wished to have for so long on October 12 1537. And though the kingdom rejoiced, the Queen was dying. It is thought that Jane fell ill with puerperal fever, caused by an infection during labour, she died less than a week after the birth of her son. She was just 28 years old.
The general image of Jane that survived through to today is one of virtue and subservience, an innocent young Queen who was loved by all, and this reputation has only been reinforced by her husband, who in 1543 had a painting of his family made, only instead of his current Queen, Katheryn Parr, it was Jane Seymour who was featured.
Henry's love for the Queen who brought a son is crystal clear, their bodies are buried together in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, and it is rumoured her heart is placed in the altar at the Chapel Royal in Hampton Court.
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