King Henry VIII didn't even lay claim to Queen Elizabeth I until she made it clear that she was respectable in everything she did and was very intelligent for being so young. Despite all her knowledge, she was a girl and in that time girls were not respected like they are today. Since Elizabeth's mother Anna could not give the king a son, she was executed on false charges of incest and adultery in 1536, May 19 ("Biography of Queen Elizabeth I"). Elizabeth was only three years old when her mother was accused of such actions. After her mother's death, Elizabeth had countless stepmothers. One of whom gives the king his long-desired son, King Edward VI ("Biography of Queen Elizabeth I"). King Henry VIII married Jane Seymour twelve days after the execution of Elizabeth's mothers. However, Jane died due to childbed fever ("Queen Elizabeth I: Biography, Portraits, Primary Sources."). It was Henry's sixth and last wife, Katharine Parr, who had the greatest impact on Elizabeth's life. A kind woman who passionately believed in education and religious reform, Katharine appeared to be a devoted stepmother and took pride in helping Elizabeth further her life.