Anne Boleyn
The most famous of Henry VIII's wives, Anne Boleyn was brought up at the courts of the Netherlands and France as a young girl. Upon her return to England, her flair of style, personality, and her attractive looks brought Anne to Henry VIII's notice. Refusing to become the King's mistress, Henry began the long and difficult process of the 'Great Matter' to crown Anne as Queen.
| In 1531 The English
clergy was finally forced to repudiate Papal authority, and accept the King as spiritual
head. The marriage with Katherine of Aragon was annulled, and Anne was crowned Queen in
1533. The expected male child that September turned out to be a girl to the couple's great
disappointment. Further grief came when Anne subsequently miscarried twice. As the King became disenchanted with Anne, a plot was hatched to remove her. In May 1536, the Queen found herself in the Tower of London accused of adultery with four men, including her own brother. Despite the weakness of the charges, Anne was declared guilty. She was beheaded on Tower Green by a French swordsman brought over especially for the task. The following day, Henry betrothed himself to Jane Seymour. |
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Pictured: Anne Boleyn (Genevieve Bujold) from the film Anne of the Thousand Days.
