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ON THIS DAY - 24 October 1537

thedudleywomen

Updated: Oct 30, 2024

On This Day (24 Oct) in 1537, Jane Seymour died at Hampton Court Palace, 12 days after giving birth to her only child, Prince Edward (later Edward VI).

'La Mort de Jane Seymour, reine d’Angleterre' Artist: Eugène Devéria Year: 1847 © Musée de Valence
'La Mort de Jane Seymour, reine d’Angleterre' Artist: Eugène Devéria Year: 1847 © Musée de Valence
Jane had retreated to Hampton Court from London in mid-September 1537 for her 'lying-in', having escaped from the plague spreading throughout London at that time. Despite no reports of a complicated pregnancy, difficulties began once Jane went into labour on 09 Oct. Her labour was prolonged, lasting approx 30 hours; a solemn procession and prayers were said for her on 11 Oct due to concerns regarding the wellbeing of herself and the child. However, at 2 in the morning, on 12 Oct, Jane delivered a highly-anticipated baby boy, named Edward. Her husband, Henry VIII had been with his own household at nearby Esher Palace, Surrey, and on the news of the birth of his son, rode the 4 miles north directly to Hampton Court.

'View of Hampton Court Palace from the South, with the River in the Foreground'  Artist: Anthonis van den Wijngaerde, Year: 1558  © Ashmolean Museum Oxford
'View of Hampton Court Palace from the South, with the River in the Foreground' Artist: Anthonis van den Wijngaerde, Year: 1558 © Ashmolean Museum Oxford
Edward was christened on 15 Oct in a midnight ceremony at the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace. Due to the risks of plague, attendance at the ceremony was 'limited' to 400 attendees; these included the young prince's godparents Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk and the Lady Mary; courtier John Dudley (and likely his wife Jane Guildford), and the prince's uncle Edward Seymour, Viscount Beauchamp, who was known to have carried the young Lady Elizabeth into the chapel. As was tradition, the parents did not attend the ceremony, but rather greeted the guests in the Queen's apartments prior to the procession to the chapel, and then following the completion of the ceremony. Jane participated as expected, with no signs that she was to become so unwell so soon after.

'The procession to the christening of Prince Edward' Unknown artist 16th century © The King's Heralds and Pursuivant of Arms  [📷 taken by myself Jun 2024, whilst on display at @NPGLondon - hence the reflection!]
'The procession to the christening of Prince Edward' Unknown artist 16th century © The King's Heralds and Pursuivant of Arms [📷 taken by myself Jun 2024, whilst on display at @NPGLondon - hence the reflection!]

Jane started to become unwell the following afternoon on 16 Oct. She initially suffered from diarrhoea, although stated that she felt better later on. However, during the night her condition worsened, and it became clear that she was suffering from puerperal fever; Alison Weir speculates that it was likely as a consequence of a tear in her perineum during delivery. However, at the time, there were accusations that she had been 'over-indulged' by her attendants, as the understanding of childbirth and hygiene was misunderstood at the time.

Jane's condition worsened so rapidly that she was given last rites by her confessor the Bishop of Carlisle on 17 Oct; however, she appeared to improve, and so celebrations regarding Edward's birth continued. Tragically, Jane quickly became unwell again, entering into a state of delirium, before further deteriorating. On 22 Oct, Thomas Cromwell, Henry's chief minister was informed that she was dying.

'Jane Seymour' Artist: After Hans Holbein the Younger Year: c.1537 © National Portrait Gallery, London
'Jane Seymour' Artist: After Hans Holbein the Younger Year: c.1537 © National Portrait Gallery, London
At 8pm on 23 Oct, Henry was called to Jane's bedside, and remained with her throughout the night. Last rites were again delivered to her by the Bishop of Carlisle, and she passed away in the early hours of 24 Oct.

Following Jane's death, Henry 'fled' to Windsor Castle, entering into seclusion due to his grief. Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, was placed in charge of Jane's funeral and burial arrangements. Her body was embalmed on 25 Oct, with her entrails being removed and buried in the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace. Her body was dressed in golden robes, wearing jewels and a crown, and lay in state in the presence chamber at Hampton Court, before being moved to Windsor in Nov, which was to be her final resting place.
Jane's ladies-in-waiting at this time included Mary Brandon, Lady Monteagle (Charles Brandon's daughter from his first marriage, and elder half-sister to Frances Brandon), Anne Parr, Countess of Pembroke (younger sister of Katherine Parr), and Jane Parker, Viscountess Rochford (widow of the ill-fated George Boleyn, who had been executed in May 1536 on charges of high treason), Whilst it is not known if Jane Guilford, Lady Dudley was one of her attendants, Jane is likely to have had a place in the new queen's court, as her husband's status rose. What is known is that she one of the women who accompanied Jane's coffin from Hampton Court to Windsor.

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