Sir Edward Seymour

In my blip about General Ludlow on Saturday, I mentioned that Sir Edward Seymour took control of Ludlow's land and assets, and asked William III to have Ludlow arrested when he returned to England in 1688.

Sir Edward Seymour was a descendant of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset (brother of Jane Seymour and uncle of Edward VI). He was a skillful politician, Speaker of the House of Commons, Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty, a Privy Counselor, Treasurer of the Navy, Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, and Comptroller of the Household. Seymour was never Duke of Somerset himself but his grandson became the 8th Duke.

The only problem was his great arrogance. Samuel Pepys in his Diary recorded the unpleasant impression that Seymour made on most people who met him, and the Duke of Marlborough wrote that, while one should not wish for any person's death, he was sure Seymour's death would be no great loss.

He consolidated the land forfeited by General Ludlow with land he already owned in Maiden Bradley and built a huge country house (still the seat of the Dukes of Somerset). He died here and was buried in our little country church, the interior of which is dominated by this marble monument. It was carved by the most famous sculptor of the day, Michael Rhysbrach, who depicted Seymour as a Roman senator with his toga wrapped over 18th century dress!