Execution of Thomas Seymour
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“This day, died a man with much wit and very little judgment.”
– Princess Elizabeth
On 20th March 1549, one of the most controversial men of the Tudor age, met his maker on a scaffold at the Tower of London.
Thomas Seymour’s relentless bid for power and his famous feud with his brother Edward, the Lord Protector, condemned him to a traitor’s death in the reign of his nephew, Edward VI.
As a member of one of the greatest families in England, and brother of Henry VIII’s third queen, you would think Thomas Seymour knew better than to make some of the shocking decisions that he did.
Thomas Seymour was born in 1508 at Wolf Hall.
Wolf Hall was the Seymour family’s idyllic country seat, where Henry VIII is rumored to have wooed Thomas’ sister, Jane.
A hasty royal romance did eventually blossom, and in May of 1536, mere days after Anne Boleyn’s ex3cution, Jane and Henry were married.
Upon the stroke of a sword, Jane’s marriage lifted the entire Seymour family to the zenith of the magnificent, volatile Tudor court.
Jane’s tenure as queen was short but largely successful.
In October of 1537, she was delivered of the King’s long awaited male heir, making Thomas the uncle of England’s future sovereign, Edward VI.
Tragically, Jane sickened in her childbed and died a little over a week later, although in her son, the Seymour family legacy was secured.
Thomas’ nephew Edward, would mature into an intelligent and precocious prince.
He ascended to the throne in 1547, at only nine years old.
In early 1547, Thomas’ brother Edward Seymour, seized the reins of power – and appointed himself as Lord Protector.
The charming and charismatic Thomas Seymour had enjoyed a relatively prosperous career at court.
Handsome, impulsive, suave, and deeply ambitious, Seymour made an impression at court.
Seymour was created Baron Seymour, made a Knight of the Garter, appointed Lord Admiral, and was regarded as the “most eligible bachelor in England,” after his young nephew, Edward.
It was around this time, Thomas spoke about making an advantageous marriage, towards the young Princess Elizabeth Tudor.
Elizabeth, however, although flattered with the flirtatious Thomas, declined.
Thomas Seymour had his eyes set on sharing his brother’s power as Lord Protector.
Thomas ingratiated himself with the young King, and sought to overturn his brother’s position on the regency council.
Thomas’ next move, however, sent ripples of scandal throughout his nephew’s court.
Thomas took the late King’s widow Katharine Parr, as his wife, less than six months after Henry VIII’s death.
Katherine was, by then, the wealthiest woman in England, and could boast a lavish catalogue of residences and estates, bequeathed to her by her late husband, King Henry VIII.
Shortly after his marriage to Katherine, he took both Princess Elizabeth and her cousin Lady Jane Grey into his residence.
Both girls were his and Katherine’s wards, but he did not always treat Elizabeth as a ward should be treated.
Thomas used his personal influence over the young king, to propose a marriage between King Edward and Thomas’ ward, Lady Jane Grey.
After Elizabeth dodged Thomas’ advances and proposals of marriage, she may have believed she was safe from any future trouble from him.
However, they were just beginning.
Now, living under the same roof as Elizabeth, Thomas Seymour began to show affection toward Elizabeth.
At times Thomas was downright inappropriate with the teenage Princess.
Thomas would often sneak into Elizabeth’s bedchamber to bid her a good morning – while tickling, playfully spanking, or otherwise awkwardly playing with her while she was still in her nightgown!
Elizabeth’s governess, Kat Ashley, would implore Thomas to leave Elizabeth be, but Thomas would simply say that he had every right to see and interact with his ward, as he pleases.
Given Elizabeth’s relatively young age, the fact she was Katherine’s step-daughter and also second in the line of succession of the English throne – Thomas’ behaviour was considered inappropriate, shocking, and immoral.
Unfortunately, even when Katherine Parr was informed, the behavior didn’t stop – it only worsened.
The matter only resolved itself when Katherine claimed to catch Elizabeth in Thomas’ arms.
She then sent Elizabeth away, both to protect her marriage and the princess’ reputation.
To this day, details of the behavior between Thomas and Elizabeth remain unclear, but it certainly shows an overfamiliarity from Thomas.
After his wife Katherine Parr died in childbirth, it gave Thomas the opportunity to legally look for another wife.
Once again, he aggressively sought Elizabeth’s, hand in marriage.
Thomas Seymour’s behavior was already controversial, but then he chose to make one of the most absurd decisions of his life…..
On the night of 16th January 1549, the peaceful quiet of Westminster Palace was broken by the frantic barking of 11 year old King Edward IV’s dog.
Sir Michael Stanhope, who had charge of the king, rushed to the King’s chamber.
Here, he found the king’s dog lying dead.
Immediately Sir Michael cried out “Help! Murder!”
Everyone came running, and it was with relief to all, when they found Edward was safe in his bed.
All the evidence pointed to the king’s uncle, Thomas Seymour…..
On the evening of 16th January, Thomas Seymour had arrived at court.
Once there, he spoke to the king’s guards, sending them on various errands.
With a key that had been given to him by one of the king’s chamberlains, he was able to open the door to the room adjoining the king’s bedchamber.
There, he disturbed the little dog, a spaniel – which usually slept in the king’s bedroom.
In the ensuing panic he stabbed the dog to death with his dagger.
The dogs barking half woke King Edward, and he stood in his bedroom doorway, in his nightshirt.
This young boy, who had been awakened from sleep, watched his beloved uncle kill his dog.
Thomas tried to spin some line that he was just testing the king’s guards, to see if the young king was being adequately protected.
The next day Thomas Seymour was arrested and sent to the Tower of London.
In the Tower, Seymour protested his innocence.
Thomas Seymour was not only accused of trying to kidnap his nephew, he was also accused of plotting to marry the teenage Elizabeth, and put her on the throne.
When he was arrested for treason, Seymour’s associates were also cast under suspicion, including 15-year-old Elizabeth.
She did not realize her own danger until her servants, including her governess Kat Ashley, were also arrested.
The embarrassing details of Seymour’s improper behaviour towards her came to light, but there was no evidence that Elizabeth had ever conspired with him.
Of course, there was still a chance that Thomas would get off, and return to a free life.
After all, he was the uncle of the king, surely he would be spared?
Not so.
In fact, he was accused of thirty-three charges of treason, and sent to the ex3cutioner’s block on 20th March 1549.
The exEcution was an ugly one – taking two blows to sever Thomas’ head.
Many people could not believe the cruelty of both the king and Lord Protector, in signing the death warrant of a member of their own blood…..
Thomas died a traitor’s death, and in the eyes of a young but discerning Princess Elizabeth – ‘with much wit and very little judgment.’
? Tom Cullen as Thomas Seymour in ‘Becoming Elizabeth’ 2022.
