Edward Seymoure

, Son of Sir Joh. Seymoure of Wolfhall in Wilts. Knight, was educated in trivials, and partly in quadrivials for some time in this University, and whether he afterwards studied in Cambridge (of which he was Chancellour in the Reign of Edw. 6.) I cannot say. If so, ’tis very strange that one that had conversed with the Muses of both Universities, should be so unlearned (as one (*)(*) Rob. Parsons in his Treatise of three conversions, Vol. 1. part. 1. ch. 12. §. 31. who was an enemy to his memory reports) that he could scarce write or read. Afterwards K. Hen. 8. marrying his Sister Jane, he ascended to, and obtained great, honours and places in the Realm of England, as all Histories will tell you. While he was Lord Protector, there went under his name,

Epistola Exhortatoria ad pacem, missa ad nobilitatem ac plebem, universumꝫ populum regni Scotiae. Lond. 1548. qu. In which Year also came out his Expedition into Scotland, written by another hand. After he was committed Prisoner to the Tower of London for divers miscarriages in his Government, he made very great shew of sanctity, and seemed not to omit any opportunity, whereby he might employ his time religiously, as it well appears by a Book that he then wrot entituled,

A spiritual and most precious Pearl, teaching all Men to love and embrace the cross as a most sweet and necessary thing, &c. Lond, 1550 oct. At that time, before, and after, he was much courted by John Calvin and Peter Martyr, as being the chief Person that carried on the reformation. The former wrot to him the said Protector, An Epistle of godly consolation, 22. Oct. 1549. Writ before the time and knowledge of his trouble. Which Epistle being delivered to him in the time of his trouble, was translated by him from French into English.—Printed at Lond. 1550. oct. The other (P. Martyr) wrot an Epistle to him about the same time in the Lat. tongue; which being much pleasing to him, was by his desire translated into English by that noted Zealot Thom. Norton.—Printed 1550. in oct. From which Epistles it doth plainly appear what great respects they (Calvin and Martyr) and their Parties had for him, and what solemn wishes and prayers they continually sent forth for his welfare and blessed proceedings in the Reformation then in hand. This great Person, who was also Duke of Somerset, died on Towerhill near London, by the stroke of the ax, 22. January, in Fifteen hundred fifty and two,1552-53. which was the sixth Year of K. Ed. 6. but where he was buried, I cannot yet tell.