On This Day (17 January) in 1549, Thomas Seymour, 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley, and Lord High Admiral, was arrested at his London home of Seymour Place, on The Strand, on charges of treason.
There had been concerns about Thomas Seymour's mental state since the death of his wife Katherine Parr in childbirth in September 1548. Pre-morbidly impulsive and impetuous, these negative personality traits became more prominent in the latter months of 1548. There was ongoing evidence of financial corruption, likely with the intent to fund rebellions in a bid for increased power, having previously expressed his dissatisfaction with the Regency Council's decision to nominate his elder brother Edward, 1st Duke of Somerset as 'Lord Protector'. Additionally, following a meeting with his brother in late September 1548, Seymour also took it upon himself to pursue the 15 year old Lady Elizabeth, to 'decide the succession'; despite a pre-existing affection on her side, this was unsuccessful, following interventions by Elizabeth's attendants Blanche Parry and Kat Astley, as well as Seymour's sister-in-law Anne Stanhope, Duchess of Somerset. Seymour's increasingly erratic behaviour and subsequent 'disloyal practices' could not be ignored by the Regency Council; he was issued with a summons to present in private to his brother to explain his actions, but he refused, and so more formal investigations began. Members of the Council began to fear for their safety, with Somerset travelling with a bodyguard, and John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, moving into his friend Somerset's home of Syon House.
On the night of the 16 January, Seymour went, without invitation, to Hampton Court Palace, where the young king and his court were in residence. His intentions were not clear, although there have been speculations that Seymour was planning to abduct his nephew and take him into his personal custody, away from the influence from the Council and his brother Somerset. However, on Seymour's entering the king's bedroom by way of the privy garden, he was startled by one of the king's spaniels. Panicked, Seymour made the rash decision to fatally shoot the dog, with the loaded pistol that he was carrying. This commotion was enough to wake the young king, members of his household, and alert the Yeoman Guard.
Seymour initially informed a shocked Edward that he was there to test how well he was being protected, and stated that he had killed the dog in self-defence as it had turned on him. His story convinced the guards, who allowed him to leave the palace, and return home that night. However, once the Regency Council met the next morning, the decision was made to issue an arrest warrant for Seymour.
Seymour's young ward Jane Grey was present at Seymour Place at the time of his arrest; her wardship had originally been purchased by Seymour in February 1547, with Jane subsequently moving down from Bradgate House, Leicestershire to London. Initially living in his household at Seymour Place, she accompanied the joint households of Seymour and Katherine Parr at Sudeley Castle in the summer of 1548. Following Katherine's death and funeral, Jane had returned to her parents' custody at Bradgate. However, the following month, Seymour had renegotiated the terms of Jane's wardship, likely recognising her value, as Jane had long been considered by Seymour to be a good candidate for marriage to the young king. The eldest Grey daughter soon returned to London, with Seymour's elderly mother, Margery Wentworth, Dame Seymour, residing alongside as her companion.
Despite the concerns raised by others regarding Seymour's erratic behaviours, these were largely ignored by her father Henry Grey, 3rd Marquess of Dorset, who also shared a tendency to seek power and success through others. It is also known Henry Grey, and his younger brother Sir Thomas Grey, were also present at Seymour House that day, having dined with Seymour; both would later be executed in February 1554 for their part in Wyatt's Rebellion. Coincidently, the date of Seymour's arrest, was also Henry Grey's 32nd birthday. Following Seymour's arrest, they would take Jane immediately back to Bradgate, where she would quietly continue her education for the next three years.
Following Seymour's apprehension and arrest at his home, he was taken initially to Westminster, accompanied by Thomas Grey, to present himself to the Council and his brother, following which he was taken up river to the Tower of London. The next day, 18 January, the Council ordered that anyone with known connections to Seymour should be interviewed as possible accomplices. Blanche Parry and Kat Astley were both arrested and taken to the Tower, and Elizabeth herself was interrogated. Information regarding their previous 'relationship', dating back to Elizabeth's time in Katherine Parr's household at Chelsea Manor in 1547 was disclosed. However, no evidence was identified which proved any knowledge or involvement in Seymour's treacherous activities. Seymour was invited infront of the Regency Council to answer the charges that he had been accused of; however, he continued to refuse to appear, with the apparent intent to have an open trial. On 22 February, the Council met and drew up an inditement totalling 33 counts of treason, including plotting to murder the king, usurp the throne and marry Lady Elizabeth. It was also agreed by the Council that there would be no trial, but that Parliament would pass an Act of Attainder against him. The Bill of Attainder received royal ascent and was received through Parliament on 04 March; it condemned Seymour to death, and made his lands, goods and titles forfeit to the crown; his elder brother, Somerset, as Lord Protector, signed the Bill on the King's behalf.
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