Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, 1st Earl of Hertford, 1st Viscount Beauchamp KG, PC (1500 [1] – 22 January 1552), also known as Edward Semel, [2] was an English nobleman and politician who served as Lord Protector of England from 1547 to 1549 during the minority of his nephew King Edward VI.
Edward Seymour (1538–1621) was son and heir of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, from his second marriage. He was created the Earl of Hertford in 1559 under Elizabeth I . His grandson William Seymour (1588—1660) secretly married Lady Arbella Stuart (1575–1615) on 22 June 1610.
- Sebastian Seymour, Baron Seymour
- John Beaufort, 3rd Earl of Somerset
- Baron Seymour
- John Seymour, 19th Duke of Somerset
Edward Seymour, 1st duke of Somerset, (born c. 1500/06—died Jan. 22, 1552, London), the Protector of England during part of the minority of King Edward VI (reigned 1547–53). While admiring Somerset’s personal qualities and motives, scholars have generally blamed his lack of political acumen for the failure of his policies.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
On 22 January 1552 Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, was beheaded at Tower Hill watched by a large crowd. Despite orders from the government for the citizens of London to remain in their homes that morning, a great multitude had gathered to watch the final moments of the ‘Good Duke’.
Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset is one of the most well-known of Henry VIII's courtiers. Although the duke was most influential under the reign of his nephew, King Edward VI, it was during the reign of Henry VIII that Seymour started his ascent at the Tudor court.