Person:Edward Seymour (11)

Edward Seymour was the son of Sir John Seymour. After military service in France (1523), Seymour became Master of the Horse for the Duke of Richmond. When his sister Jane married Henry VIII, Seymour's political fortune immediately improved and he was made Viscount Beauchamp and Earl of Hertford. He returned to military life and served in Scotland (1542) and France (1545). Upon Henry VIII's death Seymour became the effective ruler of the country as Protector of the Realm, appointed by the Council of Regency to serve during boy king Edward VI's minority.

Seymour resumed the war in Scotland, winning a decisive battle at Pinkie in 1547. He undertook social reforms, which led to the accumulation of enemies against him and his brother Thomas. Faced with the beginning of a popular uprising, in October 1549 the Privy Council removed Seymour from power and imprisoned him in the Tower of London. He was released in 1550 but was again accused of conspiracy and arrested. He was convicted for treason and executed by beheading on Tower Hill on 22 January, 1552.

1.   Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.

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   Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset PC (150022 January 1552) (also 1st Earl of Hertford, 1st Viscount Beauchamp), also known as Edward Semel, was the eldest surviving brother of Queen Jane Seymour (d. 1537), the third wife of King Henry VIII. He was Lord Protector of England from 1547 to 1549 during the minority of his nephew King Edward VI (1547–1553). Despite his popularity with the common people, his policies often angered the gentry and he was overthrown.