No. 4.
EDWARD SEYMOUR, FIRST DUKE OF SOMERSET,
THE PROTECTOR.
By Holbein.
EXECUTED IN 1552.
Black gown, with fur. Black cap, and jewel. Collar of Garter,
and George.
THE second but eldest surviving son of Sir John Seymour, of Wulfhall, county Wilts, by Margaret, daughter of Sir John Wentworth, of Nettlested, in Suffolk. Sir John (a distinguished soldier) accompanied Henry VIII. to France, and when Charles, Emperor of Germany, came over to England, he was selected to attend on that monarch.
He was in high favour with the King, who appointed him to many places even before the royal marriage with Jane Seymour, ‘the fairest and most discreet of his wives.’ The ceremony took place at her paternal home of Wulfhall in 1536. The old barn, the scene of great festivities, may still be seen, with hooks dangling from the rafters where the hangings were attached; Sir John Seymour died the same year.