Anne and Henry

Anne Seymour, Duchess of Somerset

Born Anne Stanhope (c. 1497) to Sir Edward Stanhope of Sudbury and Elizabeth Bourchier, Anne was through her mother a direct descendant of Thomas of Woodstock, the youngest son of King Edward III of England and his wife, 퀸 Philippa of Hainault. Anne’s father had been married once before, so Anne had two older half-brothers – Richard Stanhope and Sir Michael Stanhope. The latter was selected for the governorship of Hull, was knighted, and made Shelford Priory his residence.


In 1511 Anne came as a maid of honour to 퀸 Catherine, and in 1529 Edward Seymour...