dward was the only surviving son of King Henry VIII of England and his third wife Jane Seymour. Edward was born at Hampton Court Palace on 12th October 1537. Jane Seymour died shortly after the birth of her son. Henry was pleased with the birth of a son who could succeed him after his death. After Jane's death Henry married Catherine Parr and it was Catherine who brought Henry's children together. Edward, Mary and Elizabeth lived under the same one roof for the first time. It was Catherine who recognised the need for Henry's children to have a good education and arranged for the best tutors to teach them. Edward's early years were filled with learning. Becomes King
When Henry VIII died in January 1547 Edward was only nine years old and at this age the young king could not rule without help and due to his ill health he would only live to be sixteen. His reign is dominated by those opposing parties would would seek to secure power for themselves. Edward's first adviser was his uncle, Edward Seymour the duke of Somerset, who was given the title of Protector of the Realm. Somerset was able to obtain the right to exercise the whole authority of the crown and his first act was to persue the marriage of the young king Edward to Mary, Queen of Scots. The Scots refused to allow the marriage so Somerset took an army into Scotland.
