Catherine Fillol facts for kids
Catherine Fillol (born around 1507, died around 1535) was an important woman in English history. She was the daughter of Sir William Fillol, who owned lands in Woodlands and Horton, Dorset, and also Fillol's Hall in Essex. Catherine shared her father's inheritance with another person.
She became the first wife of Sir Edward Seymour. Edward Seymour later became a very powerful man. He was made the first Duke of Somerset and served as Lord Protector of England. This meant he ruled the country while King Edward VI was still a child. Edward Seymour was also the uncle of King Edward VI, because his sister Jane married King Henry VIII.
Catherine Fillol likely died around 1535. This is because Sir Edward Seymour married his second wife, Anne Stanhope, in 1535.
Catherine's Children
Catherine Fillol had two sons with Edward Seymour.
- Her first son was named John Seymour. He died in 1552 and never married or had children.
- Her second son was named Edward Seymour.
The Seymour Family Line
After Catherine's death, Edward Seymour had ten more children with his second wife, Anne Stanhope. His oldest son with Anne, also named Edward, became the next Earl of Hertford.
When Edward Seymour was made Duke of Somerset, a special document called a "patent of nobility" was created. This document explained how the dukedom would be passed down. It said that the title would first go to his children with Anne. If that family line ever ended, then the title would go to his children with Catherine.
In 1750, the seventh Duke of Somerset, Algernon, died without children. Because of this, the dukedom passed to the descendants of Catherine Fillol. Today, the current Duke of Somerset is a descendant of Catherine Fillol. His family line comes from her son, Edward Seymour of Berry Pomeroy.
