Lord Henry Seymour (naval commander) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lord Henry Seymour
Born	1540 Berry Pomeroy, Devonshire, England
Died	1588 England
Allegiance	England
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Rank	Vice admiral
Commands held	Admiral of the Narrow Seas
Battles/wars	Spanish Armada

Vice-Admiral Lord Henry Seymour (1540–1588) was an important English naval commander during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. He was known for his role as the Admiral of the Narrow Seas, which meant he was in charge of protecting the waters close to England.

Who Was Lord Henry Seymour?

Lord Henry Seymour was born in 1540. He was the younger son of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, a very powerful person in England at the time. His mother was Anne Stanhope. Later in his life, Henry Seymour married Lady Joan Percy. Her father was Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland.

Protecting England's Coasts

As the Admiral of the Narrow Seas, Lord Henry Seymour had a big job. He was responsible for keeping the English Channel and other nearby waters safe. This was very important for trade and for protecting England from attacks by other countries.

His Role in the Spanish Armada

In 1588, a huge fleet of ships called the Spanish Armada tried to invade England. This was a very famous event in English history. Lord Henry Seymour played a key part in defending England.

The Battle of Gravelines

During the Spanish Armada invasion, Lord Henry Seymour was given command of a ship called HMS Rainbow. He also led a group of other ships. His main job was to control the seas near Dunkirk, a city on the coast.

On August 6, 1588, Lord Henry Seymour's squadron joined the main English fleet, known as the 'Western Squadron', near Calais. His ships added about one-third more power to the English navy. This combined force then fought against the Spanish Armada in a major battle called the Battle of Gravelines. The English victory in this battle was a huge moment for England, and Lord Henry Seymour's leadership helped make it happen.