John Seymour

1474-1536. Courtier and father.

Born into a gentry family, John Seymour rose to prominence due to his soldiering. He served the Tournai campaign of 1513 and conveyed Henry VIII to the Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520. He was made a knight of the body and later a gentleman of the king's bedchamber. These honorific positions at court made it possible to not only talk to the king in private but also have appointments with the king and his family at court. Three of his eight children gained honour and prominence as well: His eldest son Edward as Duke of Somerset and as Lord Protector (during the minority of Edward VI), his son Thomas as Lord Admiral, and his daughter Jane by marrying Henry VIII of England.