Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset
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Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset (c. 1506 - 1552) was Lord Protector of England in the period between the death of King Henry VIII in 1547 and his own indictment in 1549. He was born in about 1506 to Sir John Seymour and Margaret Wentworth. Edward was the eldest brother of Jane Seymour, who would become King Henry's third Queen consort. Their brother, Thomas, also gained power through their sister's advancement.
When Jane married the King in 1536, Seymour was created Viscount Beauchamp, and the next year Earl of Hertford. He became Warden of the Scottish Marches and continued in favour after his sister's death in 1537. He retained great influence over the boy king Edward VI, in whose name he ruled the country, and was created Duke of Somerset early in King Edward's reign. Following his victory over the Scots at the Battle of Pinkie, his position appeared unassailable. However, the Seymour brothers had accumulated enemies and grudges during their time in royal favour, and, shortly after his brother Thomas's downfall, Edward, too, fell from power. His position, although not his office of Protector, was taken by John Dudley, 1st Earl of Warwick, later 1st Duke of Northumberland, and he was executed for treason at Tower Hill in January 1552.
Edward Seymour, 2nd Earl of Hertford (1539-1621) was Somerset's son by his second wife Anne Stanhope. He regained his father's lost earldom in 1559, from Queen Elizabeth I, but lost it again shortly afterwards, for secretly marrying Lady Catherine Grey, sister of Lady Jane Grey. His penalty was a long term of imprisonment. His son was Edward Seymour, 3rd Earl of Hertford (1561-1612) whose son William Seymour, 2nd Duke of Somerset was imprisoned for secretly marrying Arbella Stuart.
| Preceded by: The Lord Russell | Lord High Admiral 1542–1543 | Succeeded by: The Viscount Lisle Template:Succession box one to two Template:End box
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