JANE SEYMOUR,
Third Queen of Benry the Eighth.

Parentage-Birth-Education-Maid of honour to Anne Boleyn-Courted clandestinely by Henry the Eighth-Execution of Anne Boleyn-Marriage of Henry and Jane-Progress to London-Jane is introduced to court as Queen-Her pretended royal descent-Hypocrisy of the King encouraged by parliament-The crown settled on Jane's descent-Jane's friendship for the Princess Mary-Her coronation contemplated-Her quiet, passive conduct-She takes to her chamberHer great sufferings-Henry's desire to save the child at the expense of her lifeShe gives birth to Edward the Sixth-Christening-Jane's illness-Death-Lying in state-Burial-Henry the Eighth's mourning-The Bishop of Durham's letter of condolence-Henry the Eighth buried by the side of Jane-Monument begun but never finished.

ANE SEYMOUR, the third consort of Henry the Eighth, was the eldest daughter of Sir John Seymour, of Wolf Hall, Wilts, and Margaret, daughter of Sir John Wentworth, of Nettlestead in Suffolk. The Seymours, a Norman family, came to England with William the Conqueror, and increased their wealth and influence by alliances with rich heiresses of noble blood. For several centuries they only took rank as second-rate gentry, and although some of the name served as high sheriffs for Wilts, and others were knighted in the French wars, in no instance had a Seymour obtained historical celebrity, or been returned as Knight of the Shire.

Jane was born about the year 1504. Her career up to the period when she

won Henry's heart, is involved in obscurity. A full-length portrait of her by Holbein, in the royal collection at Versailles, entitled maid of honour to Mary of England, Queen to Louis the Twelfth, and placed by the side of that of Anne Boleyn, which bears the like designation, has given rise to the conjecture that she finished her education at the court of France, in the service of Queen Mary Tudor, and subsequently of Queen Claude, and renders it at least probable that she and Anne Boleyn proceeded together to France, lived there under the same roof, and returned to England at the same time. Whether she ever entered the service of Katherine of Arragon, is problematical. Nor is it known when, or by whom she was placed as maid of honour to Anne Boleyn. Wyatt says she was introduced to court for the express purpose of stealing the King's affections from his once idolized Queen, Anne; and many circumstances