The Middle Tudor Monarchs
Edward VI was born on October 12, 1537. His parents were England's
King Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Henry's third wife. For more than a
quarter century Henry had desperately wanted a son, and Edward's birth
caused great rejoicing. But Queen Jane soon fell ill with childbed
fever, and on October 24 she died.
Until the age of six Edward was raised by his nurse, Mother Jack, and
other servants. During that time Henry took two wives in quick
succession, but both marriages ended badly; Anne of Cleves was
discarded because the king found her ugly, and Katherine Howard was
executed for adultery. In 1543 Henry married Katherine Parr, who
became a loving stepmother to Edward and his older half sisters, Mary
and Elizabeth. She was a highly learned woman who personally oversaw
Prince Edward's education.
Edward's tutors taught him geography, government, history, French,
German, Greek, and Latin. He was also given lessons in etiquette,
fencing, horseback riding, music and other gentlemanly pursuits.
Perhaps most important to Edward was his study of the Scriptures. He
became a devout Protestant even though his father, who had severed
England's connection to the Roman Catholic Church, remained
conservative and mostly Catholic in his beliefs.
Although Edward was serious and studious, at times he displayed a
savage temper. According to one account, he once tore a living falcon
into four pieces.
Henry VIII died in 1547 and his nine-year-old son became King Edward
VI. A council was appointed to rule during Edward's minority, with
Edward's uncle, the duke of Somerset (Jane Seymour's brother), as
Protector of the country and the king.
Somerset's brother, Lord High Admiral Thomas Seymour, was jealous of
Somerset and schemed to put himself in power. The admiral was arrested
and charged with treason. Somerset hesitated to sign his brother's
death warrant, so Edward gave the council permission to have his uncle
beheaded. Somerset himself later fell from the king's favor and lost
his role as Protector. The duke of Northumberland took control of the
