Jane Seymour
(born 1509?, England — died Oct. 24, 1537, Hampton Court, London) Third wife of
Henry VIII of England. A lady-in-waiting to Henry's wives
Catherine of Aragon and
Anne Boleyn, she first attracted Henry's attention
c. 1535 but refused to be his mistress. This probably hastened Anne Boleyn's downfall and execution (1536), after which Jane and Henry were married privately. She restored Henry's daughter Mary (later
Mary I) to his favour and gave birth to his only male heir, the future
Edward VI, but she died 12 days later, to Henry's genuine sorrow.
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