Edward VI

Edward VI was born on 12 October 1537 at Hampton Court Palace and became King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death on 6 July 1553. His coronation took place on 20 February 1547. He was the only surviving son of Henry VIII and his third wife, Jane Seymour, and the first English monarch to be raised as a Protestant. His reign was overseen by a regency council, initially led by his uncle Edward Seymour and later by John Dudley, due to his young age. Edward’s time as king was characterized by economic challenges, social unrest, and significant religious reforms, transitioning the Church of England towards Protestantism, including the abolition of clerical celibacy and the Mass, and the introduction of compulsory English in church services. Despite his attempts to secure a Protestant succession, his early death led to a brief and disputed succession before the throne passed to his Catholic half-sister, Mary I.