This poem is Part 27 in Esther Hyams’ series of poems which tell the life story of Anne Boleyn.

Mistress Jane Seymour

Jane SeymourLater in 1535, the King felt in his heart another amour
This time to the demure and pale-faced Jane Seymour.

This fancy began when King Henry stayed at Wolf Hall
In September 1535, on the Seymour’s he did call.

A respected court family, Jane attended Anne the Queen
Henry stayed for a week; his fancy for Jane was quite keen.

And now that Queen Anne seemed unable to have a son
What may have been fleeting was a new passion, now begun.

Henry found Jane’s virtuous chastity and shyness so enchanting
Just as Anne’s sensual seductiveness had once been so entrancing.

In her 20’s as Anne had been when she had attracted the King
And with her family history of boys, what joy she could bring.

Mistress Seymour was pale, not a beauty, but with a certain charm
With light angel-blond hair so different from the dark Anne’s harm.

With a good nature and dignity she fitted in so well with convention
Considered a perfect queen consort, with no bewitching pretension.

With no threatening sensuality, the people would lovingly abide her
Unlike Anne Boleyn who had once been the fascinating outsider.

Never in history was there between two women a contrast so stark
One Mistress was an angel of light, one considered a queen of the dark.

One woman fitted in with the social norm, another was a feisty rebel
Jane was thought an angel, and Anne was thought a bewitching devil.

By Esther Hyams