At two o’clock in the morning on Friday 12th October 1537, St Edward’s Day, Jane Seymour finally gave birth to the future King Edward VI after a long and tiring 30 hour labour. Henry VIII had a legitimate son and heir at long last!
Church bells around London pealed in celebration, parish churches around the country sang the Te Deum, bonfires were lit, the city merchants gave out fruit and wine, German merchants gave wine and beer to the poor, and the happiest of days was ended by two thousand rounds being fired into the sky from the Tower of London. It was a day of celebration, not only for Henry and Jane but also for the country.
You can read more about Edward’s birth in my article “Happy Birthday Edward VI” and the astrology surrounding his birth in Robert Parry’s article “Happy Birthday Edward VI – Venus and Saturn in Conjunction” over at The Elizabeth Files.
Notes and Sources
- Edward VI: The Lost King of England, Chris Skidmore, p14 of UK paperback edition
I wonder if Henry would have been so willing to turn Heaven and Earth upside down for a son, if he had known how extraordinary his daughter with Anne would turn out to be, especially since “consumption,” whether it was tuberculosis or some other ailment, cut poor Edward down so young.
Also, the premature loss of his wife following the birth of Edward!
Edward or Elizabeth never knew their mother, how sad.
I think both Anne and Jane would have been pleased with the influence Catherine Parr was over Elizabeth and Edward – she was gentle, loving, kind, concerned for not only their physical wellbeing, but also their education and upbringing. She was the closest thing both ever knew to a mother, and she brought the family together.
Happy Birthday little guy…..you never had a chance from the very beginning of your life. I have always felt sad for you!! You were a victim and not a son…!!
I agree – Henry wanted a successor, and was more concerned with that, than truly being a dad. But that is judging him by modern standards, and not by the realities of the time, a smooth continuation of the Tudor dynasty.