Edward Seymour, Lord Beauchamp
| Edward Seymour | |
|---|---|
| Baron Beauchamp of Hatch (courtesy title) | |
Edward Seymour and his mother Lady Catherine Grey
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| Born |
21 September 1561 Tower of London |
| Died | 21 June 1612 (aged 50) |
| Noble family | Seymour |
| Spouse(s) | Honora Rogers |
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Issue
Edward Seymour, Lord Beauchamp
William Seymour, 2nd Duke of Somerset Francis Seymour, 1st Baron Seymour of Trowbridge Honora Seymour Anne Seymour Mary Seymour |
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| Father | Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford |
| Mother | Lady Catherine Grey |
Edward Seymour, Lord Beauchamp of Hatch (21 September 1561 – 21 July 1612) had a theoretical strong claim to the throne of England, but in reality, he was a cipher whose legitimacy was questioned.
He was the son of Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford (1539–1621) by his wife Lady Catherine Grey (died 1568), younger sister of Lady Jane Grey, "The Nine Day Queen". His grandfather was Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset (executed 1552), all of whose titles became forfeit on his attainder by Parliament, during the reign of his nephew King Edward VI (1547–1553). His father was however re-elevated to the peerage in 1559 by Queen Elizabeth I (1558–1603), as Baron Beauchamp of Hatch and Earl of Hertford. During the lifetime of his father, whom he predeceased, he was known by the courtesy title (his father's lesser title) "Lord Beauchamp".
He was born in the Tower of London, where his mother had been imprisoned for secretly marrying his father, against the wishes of Queen Elizabeth I. His mother was already pregnant when she entered the Tower, and was given poor living conditions, apparently in the hope that she would either miscarry or die. For many years, her children were regarded as illegitimate because no proof could be produced of her legal marriage.
By 1603 Edward was the senior qualified heir under the will of King Henry VIII, which stipulated that the elder line of the Stuart dynasty, descended from Margaret Tudor, should be passed-over in favour of the younger line, descended from Mary Tudor, the king's younger and favourite sister. Edward's only possible rival under the will was Anne Stanley, Countess of Castlehaven, who would have been heir had Edward been considered illegitimate. Regardless of Henry VIII's wishes, the succession progressed in favour of the elder line, which resulted in King James VI of Scotland ascending the English throne. Had the stipulations of the King's will been carried out, Edward would have become "King Edward VII" and England and Scotland would not have been placed under a personal union. Queen Elizabeth I never officially dismissed her father's will, but James succeeded through the support of the English Parliament.
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