Anne Stanhope

Anne Seymour (nee` Stanhope) is the wife of Edward Seymour, and sister in law to the queen Jane Seymour. Anne is introduced in the third season and Sir Francis Bryan instantly likes her. They continue an affair for most of the season, while Edward Seymour's work distracts him from stopping his wife's affair. Anne's family, the Stanhopes, had a distant connection with royalty and Anne bore 10 children.

She lived until she was 90, which was quite a feat for a woman who bore ten children, and also considering the fact that back in those days the life expectancy wasn't too great. Anne is shown to be a spiteful, vindictive and proud person and her personality caused her to be disliked by many. Although Edward initially seems not to care about Anne, it is revealed he really does love her, such as when he tells Sir Francis Bryan to leave her alone.

Season Three
Anne is introduced in the third season as the wife of the queen's brother. The new character, Sir Francis, takes an instant liking to her. We are led to believe that courtly love will pass between them and this is proved true when we see Anne having sex with Sir Francis Bryan. Although the affair is continued, when Sir Francis Bryan tries to force himself on Anne she responds by saying, "This is madness!"