Queen Jane of England

Jane Seymour was proclaimed Queen of England on June 4th 1536. It came just days after her marriage to Henry VIII. 

It was a speedy climb to supremacy. For just over a month earlier, Anne Boleyn had been queen, presiding over court. However, her arrest on May 2nd 1536 had been followed by a quick trial on charges of incest, adultery and treason and her execution at the Tower of London followed on May 19th. The following day, Jane had been betrothed to Henry and the couple married on May 30th.

Jane's proclamation at Greenwich made sure everyone knew that she was now queen consort. But it was another way to rub the memory of Anne Boleyn from history. For the ceremony declaring Jane as Queen of England took place on Whit Sunday, Pentecost. And just three years earlier, Anne's own magnificent coronation as queen had taken place on that same, special feast day. 

Jane was never crowned. The question of whether a coronation would have followed the delivery of a son couldn't be answered. For although the third queen of Henry VIII provided him with his longed for male heir, born in October 1537, she died eleven days later. Her proclamation as queen consort, on June 5th 1536, was her crowning moment.