History

Edward was born at Hampton Court Palace on 12 October 1537, the son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour. He succeeded his father when he was just 9 years old and was crowned at the Abbey on 20 February 1547. As he was a minor a Regency was created and his uncle, Edward Seymour, later Duke of Somerset, became Protector. An important event during his reign was the introduction in 1549 of the Book of Common Prayer when English replaced Latin in church services.

He died of tuberculosis and was buried beneath the original altar of Henry VII's Lady Chapel on 8 August 1553. The burial service from the English Prayer Book was used for the first time at the funeral of a monarch. His grave was unmarked until the present stone was inserted, just in front of the present altar:

IN MEMORY OF KING EDWARD VI BURIED IN THIS CHAPEL THIS STONE WAS PLACED HERE BY CHRIST'S HOSPITAL IN THANKSGIVING FOR THEIR FOUNDER 7 OCTOBER 1966.

Edward's coffin was seen by Dean Stanley in the 19th century and he recorded the Latin coffin plate inscription. It can be translated:

"Edward the sixth by the Grace of God King of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on earth under Christ supreme head of the churches of England and Ireland and he migrated from this life on the 6th day of July in the evening at the 8th hour in the year of our Lord 1553 and in the 7th year of his reign and in the 16th year of his age".

Further reading:

"Edward VI" by Jennifer Loach (1999)
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (2004)