On 24th October 1537 Queen Jane Seymour, third wife of King Henry VIII, died from what is thought to be puerperal (childbed) fever. Her son, the future King Edward VI, had been born on 12th October 1537 after a long and difficult labour but Jane seemed fine until around 17th October, when she was taken ill with a fever.
Jane was buried in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on the 13th November 1537, although legend has it that her heart was buried in the Chapel Royal of Hampton Court Palace. Henry was buried with her after his death in 1547.
You can read more about Jane’s death, along with the primary source accounts of it, in my article from last year – click here to read that now.
Here are some other articles of interest:
- Did Jane Seymour have a C-section?
- Jane Seymour – Guest Post by Lauren Johnson
- Jane Seymour: The Meek and Mild One?
- Jane Seymour: Redefining the Myth
I used to dislike Jane and believe she was sneaky in the way she “took” Henry away from Queen Anne but after reading your posts, I don’t feel that dislike for her any longer.
She paid a heavy price to give Big Butt a son. To die of childbed fever was a horrible way to go! But to bed in labor 3 days and nights just to die like that, poor lady suffered. I wouldn’t have wished that on anyone.