Note 11 — Chapter II · BIRTH AND EDUCATION

There has been some controversy over the date of Queen Jane Seymour’s death. Bishop Burnet (p. 33, vol. ii.) says it was the day after Prince Edward’s birth, i.e. 14th October; which date is adopted by Hall (p. 825), Stow (p. 575), Speed (p. 1039), Herbert (p. 492), and Holinshed (p. 944). On the other hand, Henninges (Theatrum Genealogicum, tome 4, p. 105) says it was the 15th; a letter of the doctors (in Cottonian MSS, Nero C. x. fol. 2), the 17th; Fabian, 23rd October; King Edward’s own Journal, “Within a few days after the birth of her son, died ...;” and George Lilly (Chronicle), twelve days after—Duodecimo post die moritur. However, Cecil’s Journal, a document in the Herald’s Office, and a letter among the State Papers dated Wednesday, 24th October, give the 24th October as the date of the Queen’s death. This is in agreement with the statement in the London Chronicle during the Reigne of Henry VII and Henry VIII (Camden Soc., from Cottonian MSS, Vespasian A. xxv. fol. 38–46), which clearly says that “On Saynt Edwardes eve Fryday in the mornyng (12th October), was prince Edward boorn, the trew son of K.H. the viii. and quene Jane his mothur in Hamton Corte. His godffathurs was the deuke of Norfock, and the deuke of Suffocke, and the (Arch) Bisschop of Caunterbery; and his godmother was his owne sister, which was dooughter of quene Kataryn a fore sayd. On Saynte Crispyns eve Wensday (24th October), dyid quene Jane in childbed, and is beryid in the castelle of Wynsor.” She was not, however, buried until 12th November. Dorset followed the procession from Hampton Court to Windsor, riding close to the Princess Mary, who was her stepmother’s chief mourner.