Jane Seymour - the woman, not the Queen

Jane Seymour © Hans Holbein the Younger – The National Portrait Gallery

With most historical figures, we know these people as who they were to history; as important names, people who were involved in significant events and attached to dates and timelines. We know these people by the most infamous facts and details attached to them, but we scarcely know who these people actually were. Jane Seymour is one such person. The third wife of Henry VIII, she is widely known for replacing Anne Boleyn and the woman who finally gave the king the son he so desperately needed. There are patches of what we know about her personality and most of this describes her as simply meek and plain, not giving a clear enough insight of her character. There are ins and outs of her childhood, her family, who she was before she was queen but who was she really?

What were her desires, her anxieties, her passions and was she more than just obedient?

Today, this blog post will try to explore Jane Seymour in depth; who she was as a woman, and not just a queen.

Unfortunately, as with many figures throughout history, we have no exact date of Jane’s birth, but it can be roughly assumed to be between 1508 and 1509. The idyllic Wiltshire countryside is where Jane grew up, at the infamous Seymour family home of Wolf Hall. Jane grew up amongst 4 siblings, most certainly making Wolf Hall a busy and lively family home. The house was surrounded by fields and lush farmlands; Jane may have played amongst her siblings in her youth, making up stories and exploring for hours. Savernake Forest was just a mile away, providing plenty of adventures for the Seymour children.

The Seymours were a noble and respected family in England, with royal blood running in their veins, meaning Jane and her siblings may have had a duty placed on them to grow the respect and success of their family. The details of Jane’s childhood and teenage years are scarce. Many sources state that Jane had little education and hardly excelled at reading and writing. However, with the expectations placed on her and her siblings to become respectable adults and to boost the Seymour name, it is certainly possible that Jane did receive somewhat of an education, suitable for a sixteenth-century gentry woman. It wasn’t until the 1530’s that it became common for nobility to educate their daughters formally, but previously, most gentry women were educated at home.

Jane may have been introduced to significant and important literary or religious texts, and most likely was taught a different language; presumably French. Jane was known for being very religious and a follower of the Catholic faith, suggesting that she may have received a great degree of religious teaching. Mothers in the Tudor period were in charge of their daughter’s education, giving them instruction in reading, religion, sewing, embroidery, music and dancing. For too long, Jane has been deemed as unintelligent, particularly in regard to her predecessor Anne Boleyn. But there is scarce evidence either way. Yet, Jane has been regarded as politically ambitious, as well as passionate in her faith. She may have received a decent, basic education and perhaps even spent much of her youth reading religious texts.

There is evidence that Jane could read and write, speak French and excelled at creating beautiful embroidery. Embroidery was a meaningful and important task for Tudor women, giving them a space to be creative and allow them a past time to while away the hours. Jane completed much of her excellent needlework during her childhood and may have been a pastime that allowed her to spend time with her mother. Although her education would have been purely for that of a country gentlewoman, and not aristocracy, it still suggests Jane would have been intelligent.

Jane was passionate about animals. Growing up, her father kept a kennel of hounds at Wolf Hall; Jane may have been very fond of these animals and spent hours playing with them in the fields during her youth. She is known for being an excellent horsewoman and talented at riding and even hunting. Hunting was one of Jane’s favourite interests and even more so when she was queen. Growing up, Jane went for walks around the estate with her siblings, spending time in the sunshine and the lush English countryside. Jane has been recorded as being somewhat quiet, with obedience instilled into her from a young age. Yet, this doesn’t make her boring, chaste or even unintelligent. She was a young woman with many passions and interests, with a great love of her Catholic faith and being outdoors. She had a strong mind of her own and enjoyed many hobbies.

Jane was surrounded by ambitious and intelligent brothers growing up, which could suggest that Jane may have looked up to or even been inspired by them. Her parents certainly wanted their children to excel. Despite being quiet, it doesn’t in any way diminish Jane as being unambitious. Edward Seymour was Jane’s elder brother by seven years and ended up with a place in the household of Mary Tudor, Henry VIII’s sister, in France. This would have been a great achievement for the Seymour family, despite gaining a lower position in Mary’s court. Edward was recognised by Mary’s husband Louis XII and ended up remaining in the French court, gaining military roles and becoming a soldier. After rising in the ranks, he would have brought great success to the Seymour family and Jane may have looked up to him. The tales of his adventures would have filled her with pride and perhaps even inspired her. Jane’s brother Thomas was close in age to her and was equally as ambitious. Growing up with these siblings and the evidence that Jane was educated, suggests that she may have been ambitious in her own, quiet way. Watching her eldest brother rise to success, Jane may have taken careful notice of how to rise in Tudor society.

In 1529, Jane must have been filled with both nerves and excitement as she arrived at the household of Queen Catherine of Aragon. We have no idea exactly how Jane felt, but after spending the first part of her life at her family home, she must have been nervous. At the prospect of meeting other ladies her age and the queen herself, she may have been highly excited to make friends and meet Catherine, who was known for being kind and highly Catholic; traits that Jane held for herself too. Jane’s mother, Margery, had connections to the Howard family and appears to have served a young Catherine in the early stages of her reign; allowing her daughter to gain a place. Jane’s father held a strong influence at court, and it seems likely that her parents’ status and experience allowed her to become a lady in waiting. As mentioned previously, Jane’s quiet and kind character does not mean that she didn’t hold ambitions of her own. Encouraged by her parents to boost their family name and surrounded by ambitious, clever siblings, it seems possible that Jane was ambitious too. Upon hearing of her future place at court, Jane may have been excited to rise higher up the social ladder, mix with nobility and perhaps even acquire a successful love match that would bring her wealth and success. Jane appears to have been highly fond of her family, and no doubt would have wanted them, and herself, to do well.

At nineteen years old, Jane would have been given a new set of clothes to fit in with the fashionable ladies at the court. Jane has been regarded as plain, pious and boring, but with most young women of this age, and throughout history, Jane may have loved experiencing this glitzy new world for the first time. Jane arrived at court during a tense period; Catherine of Aragon had not given birth to a son, she had experienced countless miscarriages, and it was clear by now a prince was not arriving. It’s noted that Jane was highly fond of Catherine and it’s moving to imagine how Jane looked up to the queen. No doubt, Jane and the other ladies would have felt great sorrow for their queen and provided consolation and comfort to her. During this time, Jane would have met Catherine’s daughter, Princess Mary, who she came to be very fond of. Jane must have adored serving Catherine.

Several contemporaries noted how intelligent Jane was during her time at court. Polydore Vergil described her as “a woman of the utmost charm both in appearance and character”, meaning that Jane was well mannered, kind and graceful; well respected attributes in women at the time and her thoughtfulness suggests she was becoming an intelligent young woman, holding her Catholic views in high regard. Many scholars note that Jane was much like her ambitious brother Edward and her ability to remain calm and not raise her temper is again a sign of great intelligence. When Anne Boleyn began to appear at court as Henry’s new mistress around 1527, it no doubt angered Jane who was so loyal and fond of Catherine. Jane would have been witness to the gossip and the darkening mood that had befallen the queen’s household; Jane must have felt a mix of sadness, anger and anxiety. Smartly, she kept these opinions to herself and knew how to play safe in the Tudor court. During Catherine’s refusal to accept her marriage to Henry as unlawful and denying any means of a divorce, Jane must have admired her. The strength and bravery of Catherine no doubt inspired Jane.

In 1533, when Anne Boleyn became queen, Jane began to serve as a lady in waiting in the new household. Fiery Anne was outspoken, bold and confident and no doubt Jane was witness to the opinions of Anne, particularly her ones on religious reform. Jane was a staunch Catholic and no doubt disagreed with these new Protestant views. However, both smart and shy, Jane kept these ideas to herself and did not disagree with her mistress. To rise in court and remain a respectable example to the Seymour name, Jane continued to serve her new queen with the utmost respect.

Around 1535 and 1536, Anne Boleyn had begun to fall out of favour with Henry. She had failed to produce a son, and the marriage was falling apart due to constant arguments. Furthermore, there were rumours that the king had found a new love match. The shy and graceful, Jane Seymour. It’s stated by many that the king may have fallen in love with Jane after a royal visit to Wolf Hall, but this is unclear. Most likely the king was drawn to Jane after seeing her at court. Jane has been described as plain looking by many, yet Jane was a traditional English beauty. With her fair hair, pale skin, light eyes and her large forehead, she was the epitome of medieval beauty, and this may have drawn the king to her. Perhaps even her kind and charming character, with her discreet intelligence too. Many draw the conclusion that Henry was drawn to Jane because both her personality and appearance is the opposite of the fiery and dark featured Anne Boleyn. They may be different in regard to their looks, but Jane may have been just as smart, strong minded and ambitious; although, the quieter kind.

By Spring 1536, the king was sending Jane letters and gifts; one in which Jane refused. This is fascinating evidence. Jane’s refusal, as well as kissing Henry’s letter and sending it back unopened, reveals that Jane was playing at the game of love. This woman, who has been deemed as boring, pious and plain, was flirting and playing hard to get with the king, potentially knowing this would only boost his attraction towards her. Eustace Chapuys noted that Jane did not accept the letter as there was “no treasure in the world that she valued as much as her honour’. If the King wanted to send another gift, she suggested he might wait until ‘such a time as God would be pleased to send her some advantageous marriage’. This is a startingly intelligent move from Jane. A strong-minded woman who wanted to protect her virtue and just like Anne, refused to be just another mistress. Her clever refusal, the standing up for own reputation is inspiring. Did she, just like Anne Boleyn before her, see herself as more than a mistress, perhaps a future queen?

Jane’s ambitious wishes and her goals to raise the Seymour name paid off. On the 30th of May 1536, Jane and Henry were wed at Whitehall Palace. Although Jane never received a formal coronation, she was still a queen and now held the most desired and prestigious place on the Tudor social ladder. Jane must have felt ecstatic. She had brought immense wealth and power to herself and her family, her brothers were given greater places at court, and she had done exceedingly well for herself. We have no idea if Jane was ambitious to be queen all along, but there is potential that Jane strove to work her way up the Tudor court as soon as the king set eyes on her. Jane, who has been deemed as obedient and chaste, agreed to accept the king’s offer, knowing that Anne was her mistress. Jane was highly aware that as she was preparing for her wedding to Henry, Anne was facing the executioner’s block. Just like Anne, Jane had a cunning and ruthless side to her. This was a woman who knew what she was doing and played to the sweet tempered and obedient image that had been created of her.

As queen, Jane’s motto was “bound to obey and serve”, which gives the impression she was meek and boring. However, could this all be an act? If Jane was politically ambitious and held strong, intelligent opinions, she may have been quiet and put her head down on purpose. After what had happened to the two queens before her, Jane may have wanted to save her own name, and her life. Despite this, we can see some of Jane’s political opinions. Jane encouraged Henry to maintain contact and reconcile with his daughter, Mary, who had long disregarded after her defiance in standing up for her mother. Jane was highly fond of Mary, and she helped to mend the relationship between the king and his daughter, welcoming her back into court. Despite this, Henry did not reinstate Mary as his heir and warned Jane to stop interfering. Smart and quick thinking, Jane told him that she was only thinking of the realm and their family. Following the rebellions after the Dissolution of The Monasteries, Jane allegedly pleaded with Henry to restore the abbeys and to refrain from seizing church lands and riches. However, Henry was not happy with this. He warned Jane to stop interfering and reminded her of what happened to the last queen who “meddled with his affairs”. This chilling backlash to Jane’s pleas most likely made her even more determined to maintain a quiet and obedient nature. It doesn’t stop Jane from being strong minded about religion and her love for Catholicism. Instead, it made her smart to remain high in the king’s favour. The two examples of her speaking her mind, clearly show an intelligent woman with a mind of her own.

Jane’s infamous portrait by Hans Holbein, painted between 1536 and 1537, shows a woman dressed in lavish clothing. Jewels, bright red fabrics; this was not a plain woman, but a queen who had a taste for finer things and embraced her luxurious, royal position. Jane instructed the ladies of her household to wear traditional, English gable hoods, asserting herself as their queen and making her rules known. Jane’s Catholic ways of worship and her respect for Princess Mary, made her popular with Tudor society. She was well respected, well liked and people seemed to enjoy her as queen.

In 1537, Jane gave birth to a boy, named Edward. Henry had finally got the son he wanted, and the king was overjoyed. Jane was treated like a goddess; she was the mother of the future king. Jane must have known that she had done what no wife of Henry had done before; given him a son. She must have been overjoyed and must have revelled in the special treatment she was given and the fact she was now untouchable. Not only had Jane succeeded at raising her family name, becoming queen, she was now the mother of a future king of England. She had excelled at everything. Sadly, she passed away the same year, on the 23rd of October. Henry, England and the Tudor court were devastated.

Jane Seymour has been unfairly described and misunderstood by so many. Plain, boring, meek, quiet and dim, Jane was far from this. This is a woman, like so many of us, who wanted the best for herself and her family, with her own passions, ambitions and strengths. She held a strong mind, a great intelligence and kept her head down, maintaining the ideal of the perfect, obedient Tudor woman to save herself and rise higher in the ranks of the Tudor court. This is a woman who held strong religious opinions and desired to live the luxury life of queen. Jane Seymour was a truly fascinating woman, who rose from a country gentry woman to the queen of England.

Resources:

1. Jane Seymour: Henry VIII’s True Love. Elizabeth Norton. Amberley Publishing.

2. https://www.historyhit.com/facts-about-jane-seymour/

3. https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/jane-seymour/

4. https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/interview-with-elizabeth-norton/