33. He Lost His Lover to Henry VIII
Thomas Seymour had demonstrated his skill as a diplomat, but the main reason he ended up as ambassador to the Hapsburgs was that Henry VIII took a shine to Seymour’s lover, and wanted him out of the way. In 1542, Seymour had started a romantic relationship with a wealthy widow, Katherine Parr, and the duo began making plans to marry. Then the king became infatuated with Parr, decided that he would like her for himself, and got Seymour out of the way by bundling him off to the Hapsburg court. Parr reportedly loved Seymour, but when Henry VIII proposed, she decided that should could not say no to the king.