This Poor Queen Died A Horrible Death During Childbirth

The tragic and startling demise of Queen Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's favored consort, remains a subject of intrigue and debate. Jane Seymour, the third wife of the notorious Tudor monarch, Henry VIII, is often characterized as his favorite, primarily due to her accomplishment of providing him with a muchdesired male heir, who was expected to continue the Tudor dynasty. Nevertheless, the veracity of this assertion is subject to dispute.
Shortly after Jane Seymour's passing at Hampton Court, Henry VIII was already engaged in discussions about his potential fourth wife, prompting questions about the circumstances surrounding her untimely death. The prevailing belief is that Jane Seymour succumbed to complications stemming from childbirth, as she gave birth to the future King Edward VI.
Childbirth during the Tudor era was fraught with peril and posed significant risks to women, making it more common than one might imagine for women to endure considerable suffering during the process. A particularly intriguing account regarding the birth of Edward VI comes from Nicholas Sander, a Catholic writer who held no particular fondness for King Henry. Sander asserted that Jane Seymour endured a grueling and challenging childbirth, with her limbs stretched to facilitate the passage for the child. Some accounts even suggested that her womb was cut open before her death to expedite the birth.
During this arduous ordeal, a critical decision had to be made regarding whose life would be spared—the child's or the queen's. In response, King Henry reportedly declared that the boy's life should be preserved, as he could easily secure another wife for himself.
While there is no concrete evidence to support the notion that Jane Seymour underwent a cesarean section for childbirth, as there were no records of such a procedure before the 1580s, it is worth noting that Jane would have received the best available medical care in the country. If she did indeed undergo a cesarean section, her passing would have likely been excruciating. However, it is essential to acknowledge that safe cesarean sections for women did not become commonplace until the 20th century.

There exists some persistent historical evidence suggesting that Jane Seymour might have experienced a unique birthing process. In 1643, Sir Richard Baker speculated that Jane endured an excruciating labor lasting six days or more. According to this account, she beseeched for her stomach to be incised to save the child and relieve her suffering.
Additionally, there have been mentions of Jane Seymour suffering from postpartum fever or an infection as a result of childbirth. However, it's crucial to note that there are no sources or medical records corroborating these claims.
By scrutinizing the sequence of events surrounding Jane Seymour's labor and subsequent demise, several reported causes of her death come to light. It is documented that Jane went into labor sometime in the afternoon of October 9, 1537, and her son Edward was born around 2 a.m. on October 12th. She reportedly signed letters announcing the birth and, by October 15th, was sitting up in bed at Hampton Court, where guests attended the christening of her son. These details rule out the possibility of a cesarean section, as she would have required ample time for recovery.
It wasn't until four days after Edward's birth that Jane Seymour's health began to deteriorate. Her chaplain and physicians described her initial symptoms as a natural postpartum fatigue, which she appeared to overcome and even improved upon. However, on Friday, October 19th, it was reported that Jane was unwell once more, and her condition worsened over the weekend. By Monday, it was evident that Jane's health was in grave jeopardy. On Tuesday, Henry VIII was urgently summoned to her bedside at Hampton Court, where he prayed with her and remained by her side for a considerable period of time.

It was evident to everyone that Jane Seymour was approaching the end of her life. On the 24th of October 1537, at 2 a.m. in the morning, Jane Seymour, the third wife of Henry VIII, passed away within the confines of Hampton Court Palace.
Initially, her death and the severe illness leading to it were attributed to the negligence of those attending to her, allowing her to be exposed to great cold and consume foods that her condition did not warrant. The sole written record pertaining to Jane's illness suggested the possibility of food poisoning or an upset stomach that caused her distress. There is also mention of her falling victim to a severe cold that ultimately led to her demise.
During the Tudor period, colds and health issues were commonplace,