born 1509?, England
died Oct. 24, 1537, Hampton Court, London
Third wife of Henry VIII of England.
A lady-in-waiting to Henry's wives Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, she first attracted Henry's attention 0441; 1535 but refused to be his mistress. This probably hastened Anne Boleyn's downfall and execution (1536), after which Jane and Henry were married privately. She restored Henry's daughter Mary (later Mary I ) to his favour and gave birth to his only male heir, the future Edward VI , but she died 12 days later, to Henry's genuine sorrow.