Edward VI's diary

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  • Intro

    Edward VI reveals here that he and his sister Elizabeth learnt of their father Henry VIII's death from his uncle Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, at Elizabeth's Enfield residence on 30 January 1547.

     

    Although he writes that it caused great grief in London, he reveals nothing of his personal feelings. He describes the Privy Council's choice of Edward Seymour as Protector and Governor of the King's Person and mentions how his father's officers broke their staffs of office and threw them into Henry's grave at his burial.

     

    Edward may have been prompted to write his 'diary' by one of his tutors. It begins with a description of his childhood until 1547. For the years 1547 to 1549 the 'diary' is a chronicle of past events that mostly refers to Edward in the third person. From March 1550 until November 1552, when it ends, it is more like a diary, with entries for individual days.

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    Edward VI's diary

    Extract from original text:

     

    After the death of King Henry th'eight his son Edward prince of Wales was come to at Hartford by th'erle of Hartford and S[ir] Anthony Brown Master of t'horse for whom befor was made great preparation that he might be created Prince of Wales, and after ward was brought to Enfield whear the death of his Father was first shewed him, and the same day the death of his father was shewed in London, wher was great lamentation and weping and sodenly he proclaimed King. The next day, being the _ of _ he was brought to the Towre of London whear he taried the space of three wikes : and in the mean Season the Counsel sat every day for the performance of the performaunce of the will...

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