Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset

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Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset (c. 1506 – January 22, 1552) was Lord Protector of England in the period between the death of King Henry VIII in 1547 and his own indictment in 1549. He was born in about 1506 to Sir John Seymour and Margaret Wentworth. Edward was the eldest brother of Jane Seymour, who would become King Henry VIII's third Queen consort. Their brother, Thomas, also gained power through their sister's advancement. His first marriage to Catharine Fillol was annulled when it was discovered she was having an affair with his father, John Seymour. His second marriage was to Anne Stanhope.

When Jane married the King in 1536, Seymour was created Viscount Beauchamp 5th June, and on 15 Oct 1537 Earl of Hertford. He became Warden of the Scottish Marches and continued in favour after his sister's death in 1537. He retained great influence over the boy king Edward VI, in whose name he ruled the country, and was created Duke of Somerset on 15 Feb 1547, early in King Edward's reign.

Following his victory over the Scots at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, his position appeared unassailable. However, the Seymour brothers had accumulated enemies and grudges during their time in royal favour, and, shortly after his brother Thomas's downfall, Edward, too, fell from power. His position, although not his office of Protector, was taken by John Dudley, 1st Earl of Warwick, later 1st Duke of Northumberland, his properties (such as Somerset House and Sleaford Castle) were confiscated by the crown, and he was executed for treason at Tower Hill on January 22, 1552.

The earldom was later temporarily regained by Somerset's son, Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford.

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