Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Seymour
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| Born | 22 May 1539 |
| Died | 6 April 1621 (aged 81) |
| Title | 1st Earl of Hertford |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Katherine Grey (m.1560–1568) Frances Howard (m.1582–1598) Frances Prannell (née) Howard (m.1601–1621) |
| Children | Edward Seymour, Lord Beauchamp Thomas Seymour |
| Parent(s) | Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset Anne Stanhope |
Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford, born on May 22, 1539, was an important English nobleman. He is best known for getting into trouble with Queen Elizabeth I. This happened because he secretly married more than once without her permission. He lived in several grand homes, including Wulfhall and Tottenham House in Wiltshire, and Netley Abbey in Hampshire.
Contents
Early Life of Edward Seymour
Edward Seymour was the oldest son of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset. His mother was Anne Stanhope. He was also the nephew of Jane Seymour, who was one of Henry VIII's wives. This made him related to the royal family.
Edward grew up with the young Prince Edward, who later became Edward VI. When Edward VI became king, Edward Seymour was made a knight.
Edward Seymour's Career
In 1547, Edward's father became the Duke of Somerset. From then on, Edward was known as the Earl of Hertford.
In 1550, he was sent to France as a "hostage" for a short time. This was a way to show trust between countries. After his father faced serious trouble and was executed, Edward lost most of his family's wealth and titles.
However, King Edward VI gave back some of his father's lands. Later, under Queen Mary, his rights as a noble were restored. But he didn't get his title back until Queen Elizabeth I made him the Earl of Hertford in 1559.
In 1605, King James I sent him to Brussels. His job was to represent England and receive an oath of peace after a treaty.
Secret Marriages
Edward Seymour got into trouble with Queen Elizabeth I because he kept his marriages a secret.
Marriage to Katherine Grey
His first wife was Lady Katherine Grey. She was a possible heir to Elizabeth's throne. The law said that anyone who might inherit the throne had to ask the Queen's permission to marry. If they didn't, it was against the law.
Edward and Katherine married secretly in London before Christmas 1560. They kept it a secret for almost a year. But then Katherine became pregnant, and she told Lord Robert Dudley.
When Queen Elizabeth found out, she was very angry. Both Edward and Katherine were sent to the Tower of London. They were questioned about their marriage, but they both said they couldn't remember the exact date.
A special group, led by Archbishop Parker, investigated in 1562. Katherine finally said they married when Elizabeth left the capital. Even their servants couldn't remember the exact date. Eventually, they decided the marriage happened on November 27.
While in the Tower, Edward and Katherine managed to have another child. In February 1563, their son Thomas Seymour was born. Lady Katherine died in 1568. After her death, Edward was finally allowed to leave the Tower and return to court. Officially, his sons were not legally recognized as his children because the marriage was secret. In 1576, he carried the sword of state in a royal procession.
Children with Katherine Grey
- Edward Seymour, Lord Beauchamp (1561–1612): He was their oldest son, born in the Tower of London. He died before his father. Edward married Honora Rogers and had sons. His grandson, William Seymour, 2nd Duke of Somerset (1587–1660), later became the Duke of Somerset. Like his grandfather, the 2nd Duke was also imprisoned for marrying secretly to a woman with royal connections, Arbella Stuart. His tomb in Great Bedwyn Church has an inscription that says he was "Beauchamp, a Seymour, by his mother Grey."
- Thomas Seymour (c.1563–1600): He was their second son, also born in the Tower of London. He also died before his father and did not have children. Thomas married Isabell Onley. His monument in St Margaret's Church, Westminster shows him and his wife kneeling.
Marriage to Frances Howard
Frances Howard was a lady who worked for the Queen. In 1582, she secretly married Edward Seymour. Their marriage remained a secret for almost ten years while Frances continued to work at court.
In 1595, Edward tried to have this marriage declared invalid. He hoped this would help his sons from Katherine Grey be officially recognized as legitimate heirs to the throne. He was arrested again. Frances died in 1598 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Marriage to Frances Prannell
In May 1601, Edward secretly married a third time. His new wife was a wealthy widow named Frances Prannell. This marriage was performed by a clergyman named Thomas Montfort without the proper permissions. Because of this, Montfort was suspended from his duties for three years.
Homes and Lands
Edward Seymour owned several important homes:
- Wulfhall in Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire: He inherited this from his father. He later preferred to live at Tottenham House.
- Tottenham House in Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire: He built this house himself.
- Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset: This was a very old family home.
- Netley Abbey, Hampshire: He bought this property in 1602. He died here in 1621.
- Hertford House, Cannon Row in Westminster: This was his home in London.
Arms
The family crest of Edward Seymour's father, the 1st Duke of Somerset, combined the original family crest with a new one given to him by his nephew, King Edward VI.
Death and Burial
Lord Hertford passed away in 1621 at Netley Abbey in Hampshire. He was buried in the Seymour Chapel of Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire. His tomb is a beautiful monument made of white stone, with statues of himself and his first wife.
Images for kids
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Detail of the monument to Edward Seymour in Salisbury Cathedral
