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Edward Seymour, Lord Beauchamp, Earl of Hertford as played by Max Brown
(later 1st Duke of Somerset)
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| born c. 1506 - executed January 22, 1552 by order of Edward VI's privy council Character's backstory: Studied at Cambridge University & became a Protege of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. With some genuine military talent, he was knighted in 1522 while still in his teens & saw military service in France in 1523. On his return he worked for Henry, Duke of Richmond, as Master of the Horse. He reached the court rank of esquire of the body in 1530 & had accompanied Henry & Anne to Calais in 1532. Edward benefited enormously from the fall of Anne Boleyn and the rise of his sister, Jane Seymour, to the side of King Henry VIII. A very ambitious man, Edward reached the height of his power at the death of Henry VIII, when his young nephew, Prince Edward Tudor, became King Edward VI of England. Since his nephew was too young to rule, Edward was named Lord Protector, virtually serving as the King of England. However, several factions worked to bring his power down, among them his brother, Thomas Seymour. After -popularly bringing about his brother's execution for treason, Seymour's own downfall was swift. The faction led by John Dudley arrested Seymour on charges of treason, and he died a death similar to that of his brother. Gentility: Position: Viscount Beauchamp, Earl of Hertford, Lord High Admiral, Lord High Treasurer, Earl Marshal, 1st Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector of England Personality type: Very straight-lace, cold, sturdy, no-nonsense and extremely ambitious. Humourless but he had true concerns for the needs of the English people. Occasionally he showed touches of genuine sensitivity ( unlike the series shows) and when Henry died he sent a messenger to inform the King`s `dear sister` Anne of Cleves before it was announced publicly. *the series shows him callously telling his sister Jane of their father`s death which is not based in fact. Signature look: Dour Endearing trait(s): Could get business done Annoying trait(s): Too ambitious, had his brother beheaded |
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CHARACTER CONNECTIONSFamily members: John Seymour: Father Jane Seymour: Sister Thomas Seymour: Brother Prince Edward Tudor/King Edward VI: Nephew Anne Stanhope: Wife Ancestor of Princess Diana through his son, Edward, Earl of Hertford, and his wife Lady Catherine Grey Marriage(s): 1st wife : Catherine Filiol - married c. 1527 and annulled v. 1537 after the scandal of his father having an affair with her & her children declared illegitimate 2nd Wife: Anne Stanhope -married c. 1537 - 9 children (described as being a "violent woman", and was held responsible for the fate of her husband, through having urged him to adopt a ruinous policy. She was disliked throughout the royal court) | Children: Edward Seymour (1st Earl of Hertford) born 22 May 1539 Anne Seymour born 1540, died 1588 Mary Seymour born 1552 Elizabeth Seymour born 1552, died. 3 Jun 1602 Lord Henry Seymour born 1552 William Seymour was a lover of Arabella Stuart, cousin of King James I. Both were clamants to the throne of England, and had they been allowed to marry their union would have united the bloodlines to Mary and Margaret Tudor, however James did not allow this. Romance(s): Friends: Enemies: Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland Henry Grey, Marquess of Dorset | When King Henry VIII died in 1547 Seymour was named as executor of the will. Edward Tudor was too young to rule and Seymour was appointed by the Council of Regency as Protector of the Realm. He was also given the title of Duke of Somerset. Once he held power, Seymour resumed the war in Scotland and won an important victory at Pinkie on 10th September, 1547. However, establishing English garrisons was highly expensive. The Duke of Somerset was a Protestant and he soon began to make changes to the Church of England. This included the introduction of an English Prayer Book and the decision to allow members of the clergy to get married. Attempts were made to destroy those aspects of religion that were associated with the Catholic church, for example, the removal of stained-glass windows in churches and the destruction of religious wall-paintings.Seymour also showed concern for the poor and on 14 June 1549, he persuaded King Edward to pardon all those people who had torn down hedges enclosing common land. Many landless people thought that this meant that their king disapproved of enclosures. All over the country people began to destroy hedges that landowners had used to enclose common land. This led to the Kett Rebellion in Norfolk. The mayor of Norwich refused to let Kett's army enter the city. However, Robert Kett and his men, armed with spears, swords and pitchforks, successfully stormed the city walls. The English government were shocked when they heard that Kett and his rebels controlled the second largest city in England.Robert Kett formed a governing council made up of representatives from the villages that had joined the revolt. This council then sent details of their demands to King Edward. Seymour responded by sending John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, and a large army to defeat Kett. The Privy Council became concerned that Seymour's policies were leading to a popular uprising. In October, 1549, he was removed from power and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Seymour was released in 1550 and allowed to return to the Privy Council. Seymour soon got involved in a conspiracy and he was once again arrested. Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, was found guilty of treason and executed on 22nd January, 1552.
UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTER QUOTES
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DEFINING EPISODES | MEMORABLE SCENES
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LINKS
| Historical Profile of Edward Seymour Photo Gallery of Edward Seymour |
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PHOTOS
 |  Portrait of Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford and 1st Duke of Somerset, located at Weston Park, Trustees of the Weston Park Foundation, |
 Edward & his wife Anne Stanhope | |
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