Notes:

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Edward Seymour, the son of Sir John Seymour, and the brother of Thomas Seymour, was born in 1 500. After studying at Cambridge University, he saw military service in France in 1523. On hi s return he worked for Henry, Duke of Richmond, as Master of the Horse.

Seymour's political career improved when his sister, Jane Seymour, married Henry VIII in 1536 . Seymour was given the title, the Earl of Hertford, in 1537. Seymour returned to military du ty and in 1542 served with distinction in Scotland (1542) and in France (1545).

When Henry VIII died in 1547 Seymour was named as executor of the will. Edward was too youn g to rule and Seymour was appointed by the Council of Regency as Protector of the Realm. He w as also given the title of Duke of Somerset.

Once he power, Seymour resumed the war in Scotland and won an important victory at Pinkie o n 10th September, 1547. However, establishing English garrisons was highly expensive.

The Duke of Somerset was a Protestant and he soon began to make changes to the Church of Engl and. This included the introduction of an English Prayer Book and the decision to allow membe rs of the clergy to get married. Attempts were made to destroy those aspects of religion tha t were associated with the Catholic church, for example, the removal of stained-glass window s in churches and the destruction of religious wall-paintings.

Seymour also showed concern for the poor and on 14 June 1549, he persuaded Edward VI to pardo ned all those people who had torn down hedges enclosing common land. Many landless people tho ught that this meant that their king disapproved of enclosures. All over the country people b egan to destroy hedges that landowners had used to enclose common land.

This led to the Kett Rebellion in Norfolk. The mayor of Norwich refused to let Kett's army en ter the city. However, Robert Kett and his men, armed with spears, swords and pitchforks, suc cessfully stormed the city walls. The English government were shocked when they heard that Ke tt and his rebels controlled the second largest city in England.

Robert Kett formed a governing council made up of representatives from the villages that ha d joined the revolt. This council then sent details of their demands to Edward VI. Seymour re sponded by sending John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, and a large army to defeat Kett.

The Privy Council became concerned that Seymour's policies were leading to a popular uprising . In October, 1549, he was removed from power and imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Seymour was released in 1550 and allowed to return to the Privy Council. Seymour soon got inv olved in a conspiracy and he was once again arrested. Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, was f ound guilty of treason and executed on 22nd January, 1552.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUDseymourE.htm
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Attainted

Family/Spouse: Anne Stanhope. Anne died in 1587. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Henry Seymour was born in Marchen, Monmouthshire, Wales.
2. Anne Seymour died in 1588.
3. Baron Beauchamp and Earl Edward Seymour was born on 12 Oct 1537; died on 06 Apr 1621 in Netley; was buried in Salisbury Cathedral.

Family/Spouse: Catherine Fillol. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John + Margery Wentworth. Margery (daughter of Henry Wentworth and Anne Say) was born about 1474 in Nettlestead, Suffolk, England; died in Oct 1550. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John + Elizabeth Darell. Elizabeth was born about 1454 in Of, Littlecote, Wiltshire, England; died about 1479. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Henry + Anne Say. Anne was born about 1453 in Nettlestead, Suffolk, England; was christened in Also Of, Broxburn, Hertfordshire, England; died in 1478. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]