Edward VI of England
king of England and Ireland from 1547 to 1553
Edward VI: a brief reign and a lasting liturgy
A child heir at Hampton Court
Edward was born at Hampton Court Palace in 1537 to Henry VIII and Jane Seymour. Westminster Abbey records that he received an extensive education, but childhood illness remained a concern. His position as Henry’s son placed him at the centre of the Tudor succession long before he could exercise power himself.
Coronation and government by regency
Edward inherited the throne at nine. His coronation took place in Westminster Abbey in February 1547, while a regency governed because of his age. His uncle Edward Seymour served as Protector. The arrangement meant that decisions associated with Edward’s reign were made in a court where senior adults held immediate political authority.
The English prayer book and burial
The introduction of the first English Prayer Book changed public worship during Edward’s reign, replacing Latin with English in church services. He died in 1553 and was buried in the Abbey’s Lady Chapel. The Abbey notes that the English prayer book was used at his funeral, linking the religious change of his reign to its final ceremony.