The account at right was written by the Tudor chronicler Edward Hall.

King Henry VIII's third marriage, made when he was almost forty-five, finally brought him the longed-for son.  Edward's mother was Jane Seymour, the daughter of a Wiltshire knight.  She died a fortnight after his birth in October.


On 27 May 1537, Trinity Sunday, there was a Te Deum sung in St Paul's cathedral for joy at the queen's quickening of her child, my lord chancellor, lord privy seal and various other lords and bishops being then present; the mayor and aldermen with the best guilds of the city being there in their liveries, all giving laud and praise to God for joy about it.  The bishop of Worcester, Dr Latimer, made an oration before all the lords and commons after the Te Deum was sung, explaining the reason for their assembly, which oration was marvelously fruitful to the hearers.  And also the same night various great fires were made in London, with a hogshead of wine at every fire for the poor people to drink as long as it lasted.  I pray Jesus, if it be his will, to send us a prince.

 

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