Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, (~1506 - 1552) was Lord Protector of England in the period between the death of King Henry VIII in 1547 and Seymour's indictment in 1549. He was born in about 1506, the eldest brother of Jane Seymour, who would become King Henry's third queen. Their brother, Thomas, also gained power through their sister's advancement.
Edward's son, Edward Seymour (1539-1621), 2nd Earl of Hertford, was the Duke of Somerset's son by his second wife. He regained his father's lost earldom in 1559, from Queen Elizabeth I, but lost it again shortly afterwards, for secretly marrying Lady Catherine Grey, sister of Lady Jane Grey. His penalty was a long term of imprisonment. His son was Edward Seymour (1561-1612), 3rd Earl of Hertford, whose son William Seymour, 2nd Duke of Somerset, was imprisoned for secretly marrying Arbella Stuart.
Preceded by: New Creation | Duke of Somerset | Followed by: William Seymour |