23 Facts About Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour became queen following the execution of Henry's second wife, Anne Boleyn, who was accused by Henry of adultery after failing to produce a male heir.

Jane Seymour was the only wife of Henry VIII to receive a queen's funeral; and Henry was later buried alongside her remains in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Jane, the daughter of Sir John Seymour and Margery Wentworth, was most likely born at Wulfhall, Wiltshire, although West Bower Manor in Somerset has been suggested.

Jane Seymour shared a great-grandmother, Elizabeth Cheney, Lady Say, with his second and fifth wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.

Jane Seymour was not as highly educated as Henry's first and second wives, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn.

Jane Seymour could read and write a little but was much better at needlework and household management, which were considered much more necessary for women.

Jane Seymour's needlework was reportedly beautiful and elaborate; some of it survived as late as 1652, when it is recorded to have been given to the Seymour family.

Jane Seymour was highly praised for her gentle, peaceful nature, being called as "gentle a lady as ever I knew" by John Russell and "the Pacific" by the Imperial Ambassador Eustace Chapuys, for her peacemaking efforts at court.

Jane Seymour was regarded as meek, gentle, simple, and chaste, with her large family making her thought to be suitable to have many children.

Jane Seymour's well-publicised sympathy for the late Queen Catherine and her daughter Mary showed her to be compassionate and made her a popular figure with the common people and most of the courtiers.

Jane Seymour was never crowned because of plague in London, where the coronation was to take place.

Jane Seymour's only reported involvement in national affairs, in 1536, was when she asked for pardons for participants in the Pilgrimage of Grace.

Jane Seymour formed a close relationship with her stepdaughter Mary, making efforts to have Mary restored to court and to the royal succession, behind any children she might have with Henry.

Jane Seymour brought up the issue of Mary's restoration both before and after she became queen.

Jane Seymour was the only legitimate son of Henry VIII to survive infancy.

Jane Seymour's labour had been difficult, lasting two days and three nights, probably because the baby was not well positioned.

Jane Seymour was the only one of Henry's wives to receive a queen's funeral.

Jane Seymour married Anne of Cleves two years later, although marriage negotiations were tentatively begun soon after Jane's death.

Jane Seymour put on weight during his widowerhood, becoming obese and swollen and developing diabetes and gout.

Jane Seymour gave the King the son he so desperately desired, helped to restore Mary to the succession and her father's affections, and used her influence to bring about the advancement of her family.

An inventory of Henry VIII includes costume belonging to Jane Seymour, which was stored in 1542 in the Old Jewel House of Whitehall Palace.

Jane Seymour was said to have embroidered a bed and a chair, later given by Charles I to her relation William Seymour.

Jane Seymour owned great and little "babies", dolls dressed in gowns of cloth of silver, satin, and velvet tied with gold "aglettes", like her own sleeves.