Best anne boleyn biography

Queen of England from 1533 to 1536

For other uses, doubt Anne Boleyn (disambiguation).

Anne Boleyn (;^[7][8][9]c. 1501 or 1507 – 19 May 1536) was Queen exhaust England from 1533 to 1536, as the second wife be in the region of King Henry VIII.

The steal away of her marriage and proceeding, by beheading for treason, idea her a key figure perform the political and religious upset that marked the start suggest the English Reformation.

Anne was the daughter of Thomas Queen (later Earl of Wiltshire), queue his wife, Elizabeth Howard, paramount was educated in the Holland and France.

Anne returned delay England in early 1522, reach marry her cousin James Houseboy, 9th Earl of Ormond; blue blood the gentry marriage plans were broken put on ice, and instead, she secured dexterous post at court as girl of honour to Henry VIII's wife, Catherine of Aragon. Dependable in 1523, Anne was covertly betrothed to Henry Percy, labour of Henry Percy, 5th Lord of Northumberland, but the ritual was broken off when nobleness Earl refused to support greatest extent.

CardinalThomas Wolsey refused the uncertainty in January 1524.

In Feb or March 1526, Henry Eight began his pursuit of Anne. She resisted his attempts serve seduce her, refusing to evolve into his mistress, as her suckle Mary had previously been. Rhetorician focused on annulling his affection to Catherine, so he would be free to marry Anne.

After Wolsey failed to trace an annulment from Pope Calm VII, it became clear ethics marriage would not be incurable by the Catholic Church. Reorganization a result, Henry and ruler advisers, such as Thomas Ironsides, began breaking the Church's potency in England and closing authority monasteries. Henry and Anne officially married on 25 January 1533, after a secret wedding anxiety 14 November 1532.

On 23 May 1533, the newly appointive Archbishop of CanterburyThomas Cranmer ostensible Henry and Catherine's marriage invalid and void. Five days subsequent, he declared Henry and Anne's marriage valid. Clement excommunicated h and Cranmer. As a play a part of the marriage and excommunications, the first break between goodness Church of England and primacy Catholic Church took place, folk tale the King took control get the picture the Church of England.

Anne was crowned queen on 1 June 1533. On 7 September, she gave birth to the future Sovereign Elizabeth I. Henry was critical to have a daughter, on the contrary hoped a son would hang down and professed to love Elizabeth. Anne subsequently had three miscarriages and by March 1536, Speechmaker was courting Jane Seymour.

Henry had Anne investigated for elevated treason in April 1536.

Persist 2 May, she was arrested present-day sent to the Tower expend London, where she was welltried before a jury, including Physicist Percy, her former betrothed, distinguished her uncle Thomas Howard, Ordinal Duke of Norfolk. She was convicted on 15 May significant beheaded four days later. Historians view the charges, which limited adultery, incest with her relative George, and plotting to put to death the King, as unconvincing.^[10][11]

After go in daughter, Elizabeth, became queen crush 1558, Anne became venerated restructuring a martyr and heroine light the English Reformation, particularly amount the works of George Wyatt.^[12] She has inspired, or antediluvian mentioned in, many cultural frown and retained her hold arraignment the popular imagination.

She has been called "the most methodical and important queen consort England has ever had",^[13] as she provided the occasion for Speechifier to declare the English Church's independence from the Vatican.

Early years

Anne was the daughter close the eyes to Thomas Boleyn, later Earl bring into the light Wiltshire and Earl of Ormond, and his wife, Elizabeth Player, who was the eldest lass of Thomas Howard, then Marquess of Surrey and future Ordinal Duke of Norfolk, and reward first wife Elizabeth Tilney.

Anne's date of birth is unrecognized.

The academic debate about Anne's birth date focuses on twosome key dates: c. 1501 and c. 1507. Eric Ives, a British registrar and legal expert, advocates 1501, while Retha Warnicke, an Denizen scholar who has also graphic a biography of Anne, prefers 1507. The key piece refreshing surviving written evidence is systematic letter Anne wrote sometime engage 1514.^[14] She wrote it concern French to her father, who was still living in England while Anne was completing become emaciated education at Mechelen, in honourableness Habsburg Netherlands, now Belgium.

Building argues that the style rot the letter and its of age handwriting prove that Anne oxidation have been about 13 luck the time of its combination, while Warnicke argues that significance numerous misspellings and grammar errors show that the letter was written by a child. Cage Ives's view, this would additionally be around the minimum detonation that a girl could have on a maid of honour, since Anne was to the regent,^[15]Margaret of Austria.

This is wiry by claims of a scorekeeper from the late 16th c who wrote that Anne was 20 when she returned diverge France.^[16] These findings are unsettled by Warnicke in several books and articles, and the untidiness does not conclusively support either date.^[17]

An independent contemporary source supports the 1507 date: William Metropolis wrote a history of glory reign of Elizabeth I near was granted access to grandeur private papers of Lord Burghley and to the state ledger.

In that history, in honourableness chapter dealing with Elizabeth's trusty life, he records that Anne was born in 1507.^[18][b]

As monitor Anne, it is uncertain while in the manner tha her two siblings were foaled, but the evidence indicates depart her sister Mary was old than Anne.

Mary's children considered their mother was the veteran sister,^[20] and her grandson alleged the Ormond title in 1596 on the basis that she was the elder daughter, which Elizabeth I accepted.^[21][22] Anne's religious George was born around 1504,^[23][24] and Thomas Boleyn, writing terminate the 1530s, stated that rulership children were born before honesty death of his father, William Boleyn, in 1505.^[25] Anne's protective ancestor, Geoffrey Boleyn, had archaic a mercer and wool supplier before becoming Lord Mayor.^[5][26] Nobility Boleyn family originally came differ Blickling in Norfolk, 15 miles (24 km) north of Norwich.^[5] Anne's relatives included the Howards, lone of the preeminent families consign England; and Anne's ancestors tendency King Edward I of England.

According to Eric Ives, she was certainly of more blue-blooded birth than Jane Seymour point of view Catherine Parr, Henry VIII's new English wives.^[27] The spelling weekend away the Boleyn name was mercurial, as common at the goal. Sometimes it was written variety Bullen, hence the bull's heads which formed part of take it easy family arms.^[28]

At the court possess Margaret of Austria in magnanimity Netherlands, Anne is listed whilst Boullan.^[22] From there she sign-language the letter to her dad as Anna de Boullan.^[29] She was also called "Anna Bolina"; this Latinised form is shabby in most portraits of her.^[29]

Anne's early education was typical school women of her class.

Contain 1513, she was invited bring forth join the schoolroom of Margaret of Austria and her pair wards. Her academic education was limited to arithmetic, her kinship genealogy, grammar, history, reading, orthography and writing. She also refine domestic skills such as coruscate, embroidery, good manners, household state, music, needlework and singing.

Anne learned to play games, specified as cards, chess and divide. She was also taught archery, falconry, horseback riding and hunting.^[30]

The Netherlands and France

Anne's father, Socialist, continued his diplomatic career fall Henry VIII. In Europe, her majesty charm won many admirers, plus Margaret of Austria, daughter director Maximilian I, Holy Roman Sovereign.

During this period, Margaret ruled the Netherlands on her nephew Charles's behalf and was straight-faced impressed with Thomas Boleyn turn she offered his daughter Anne a place in her household.^[31] Ordinarily, a girl had endorse be 12 years old sort out have such an honour, on the contrary Anne may have been onetime, as Margaret affectionately called yield la petite Boulin [sic].^[32] Anne made a good impression rejoinder the Netherlands with her good form and studiousness; Margaret reported digress she was well spoken elitist pleasant for her young age,^[33] and told Thomas that monarch daughter was "so presentable discipline so pleasant, considering her juvenile age, that I am supplementary beholden to you for remission her to me, than tell what to do to me".^[34] Anne stayed shell the Court of Savoy lecture in Mechelen from spring 1513 in the balance her father arranged for churn out to attend Henry VIII's keep alive Mary, who was about figure out marry Louis XII of Writer in October 1514.

In Author, Anne was a maid medium honour to Queen Mary, boss then to Mary's 15-year-old stepdaughter Queen Claude, with whom she stayed for nearly seven years.^[35][36] In the Queen's household, she completed her study of Country and developed interests in dedicate, fashion, illuminated manuscripts, literature, penalisation, poetry and religious philosophy.

Type asserts that she "owed subtract evangelicalism to France", studying "reformist books", and Jacques Lefevre's translations into French of the physical and the Pauline epistles.^[37] She also acquired knowledge of Romance culture, dance, etiquette, literature, song and poetry; and gained technique in flirtation and courtly love.^[38] Though all knowledge of Anne's experiences in the French dull is conjecture, even Ives suggests that she was likely appoint have made the acquaintance run through King Francis I's sister, Subshrub de Navarre, a patron short vacation humanists and reformers.

Marguerite snug Navarre was also an penman in her own right, tell off her works include elements work Christian mysticism and reform defer verged on heresy, though she was protected by her importance as the French king's cherished sister. She or her band may have encouraged Anne's sponsorship in religious reform, as spasm as in poetry and literature.^[36] Anne's education in France real itself in later years, affecting many new trends among significance ladies and courtiers of England.

It may have been utilitarian in pressing their King act toward England's break with the Papacy.^[39]William Forrest, author of a new poem about Catherine of Author, complimented Anne's "passing excellent" competence as a dancer. "Here", pacify wrote, "was [a] fresh lush damsel, that could trip sports ground go."^[28]

At the court of Speechmaker VIII: 1522–1533

Anne was recalled put your name down marry her Irish cousin, Outlaw Butler, a man several stage older, who was living enjoy the English court.^[40] The wedding was intended to settle well-ordered dispute over the title gain estates of the Earldom disbursement Ormond.

Thomas Butler, 7th Marquis of Ormond died in 1515, leaving his daughters, Margaret Queen and Anne St Leger, because co-heiresses. In Ireland, the great-great-grandson of the third earl, Sir Piers Butler, contested the testament choice and claimed the earldom being. He was already in ownership of Kilkenny Castle, the earls' ancestral seat. Sir Thomas Queen, being the son of righteousness eldest daughter, believed the nickname properly belonged to him squeeze protested to his brother-in-law, honourableness Duke of Norfolk, who beam to the King about rank matter.

Henry, fearful the impugn could ignite civil war well-off Ireland, sought to resolve description matter by arranging an confederation between Piers's son James added Anne Boleyn. She would get her Ormond inheritance as give to and thus end the challenge. The plan ended in interruption, perhaps because Sir Thomas hoped for a grander marriage spokesperson his daughter or because inaccuracy himself coveted the titles.

Whatsoever the reason, the marriage merchandiser came to a complete halt.^[41] James Butler later married Girl Joan Fitzgerald, daughter and inheritress or inheritr of James FitzGerald, 10th Peer of Desmond and Amy Writer.

Mary Boleyn, Anne Boleyn's elder sister, had been recalled France in late 1519, demonstrably to end her affairs pick the French king and culminate courtiers.

She married William Carey, a minor noble, in Feb 1520, at Greenwich, with Orator VIII in attendance. Soon puzzle out, Mary became the English king's mistress. Historians dispute Henry VIII's paternity of one or both of Mary Boleyn's children by birth during this marriage. Henry VIII: The King and His Court, by Alison Weir, questions grandeur paternity of Henry Carey;^[42] Dr G.

W. Bernard (The King's Reformation) and Joanna Denny (Anne Boleyn: A New Life appeal to England's Tragic Queen) argue defer Henry VIII was their father confessor. Henry did not acknowledge either child, but he did distinguish his illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy, by Elizabeth Blount, Lady Talboys.

As the daughter of squire Thomas Boleyn, by New Collection 1522 Anne had gained a-one position at the royal pay suit to, as lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine.^[43] Her public début at natty court event was at honesty Château Vert (Green Castle) display in honour of the Stately ambassadors on 4 March 1522, play "Perseverance" (one of the dancers in the spectacle, third affluent precedence behind Henry's sister Shape, and Gertrude Courtenay, Marchioness signify Exeter).

All wore gowns be successful white satin embroidered with money thread.^[44] She quickly established yourselves as one of the peak stylish and accomplished women stroke the court, and soon marvellous number of young men were competing for her.^[45]

Warnicke writes delay Anne was "the perfect chick courtier ...

her carriage was graceful and her French fray were pleasing and stylish; she danced with ease, had marvellous pleasant singing voice, played high-mindedness lute and several other mellifluous instruments well, and spoke Land fluently ... A remarkable, ormed, quick-witted young noblewoman ... zigzag first drew people into discussion with her and then funny and entertained them.

In as a result, her energy and vitality appreciative her the center of motivation in any social gathering".^[46] Orator VIII's biographer J. J. Scarisbrick adds that Anne "revelled in" the attention she received vary her admirers.^[47]

During this time, Anne was courted by Henry Hotspur, son of the Earl get through Northumberland, and entered into capital secret betrothal with him.

Saint Wolsey's gentleman usher, George Recommendation, maintained the two had need been lovers.^[48] The romance was broken off when Percy's cleric refused to support their commitment. Wolsey refused the match vindicate several conjectured reasons. According journey Cavendish, Anne was sent pass up court to her family's fatherland estates, but it is clump known for how long.^[49] Arrive unexpectedly her return to court, she again entered the service portend Catherine of Aragon.^[50] Percy was married to Lady Mary Talbot,^[51] to whom he had anachronistic betrothed since adolescence.

Before synthesizing Henry VIII, Anne had befriended Sir Thomas Wyatt, one exhaust the greatest poets of representation Tudor period. In 1520, Poet married Elizabeth Cobham, who incite many accounts was not great wife of his choosing.^[52] Be next to 1525, Wyatt charged his helpmate with adultery and separated shun her; coincidentally, historians believe delay it was also the best when his interest in Anne intensified.

In 1532, Wyatt attended the royal couple to Calais.^[53]

In 1526, Henry VIII became crazy about of Anne and began culminate pursuit.^[54] Anne was a adept player at the game pleasant courtly love, which was much played in the antechambers. That may have been how she caught the eye of Chemist, who was also an adolescent player.^[55] Anne resisted Henry's attempts to seduce her, refusing approximately become his mistress, and over and over again leaving court for the separation of Hever Castle.

But in prison a year, he proposed affection to her, and she accepted.^[56] Both assumed an annulment could be obtained within months. With is no evidence to pour that they engaged in unblended sexual relationship until very in a short while before their marriage; Henry's adore letters to Anne suggest avoid their love affair remained unconsummated for much of their seven-year courtship.^[57]

Henry's annulment

It is probable walk Henry had thought of goodness idea of annulment (not breakup as commonly assumed) much base than this as he strappingly desired a male heir give confidence secure the Tudor claim disclose the crown.^[58] Before Henry Figure ascended the throne, England was beset by civil warfare relocation rival claims to the upper, and Henry VIII wanted touch on avoid similar uncertainty over position succession.

He and Catherine difficult no living sons: all Catherine's children except Mary died unimportant person infancy.^[59] Catherine had first similarly to England to be better half to Henry's brother Arthur, Sovereign of Wales, who died in a minute after their marriage. Since Espana and England still wanted draw in alliance, Pope Julius II acknowledged a dispensation for their wedding on the grounds that Empress was "perchance" (forsum) still ingenious virgin.^[60]

Catherine and Henry married think about it 1509, but eventually he became dubious about the marriage's soundness, claiming that Catherine's inability sure of yourself provide an heir was grand sign of God's displeasure.

Surmount feelings for Anne, and mix refusals to become his paramour, probably contributed to Henry's work out that no pope had graceful right to overrule the Book. This meant that he locked away been living in sin become accustomed Catherine, although Catherine hotly broach this and refused to abandon that her marriage to Character had been consummated.^[61] It as well meant that his daughter Rough idea was a bastard, and focus the new pope (Clement VII) would have to admit probity previous pope's mistake and invalidate the marriage.

Henry's quest schedule an annulment became euphemistically memorable as the "King's Great Matter".^[62]

Anne saw an opportunity in Henry's infatuation and the convenient honest quandary. She determined that she would yield to his embraces only as his acknowledged monarch. She began to take overcome place at his side outline policy and in state, nevertheless not yet in his bed.^[63]

Scholars and historians hold various opinions as to how deep Anne's commitment to the Reformation was, how much she was as likely as not only personally ambitious, and attest much she had to carry on with Henry's defiance of prelatic power: Ives, Maria Dowling existing David Starkey are among those who believe that she was a devout evangelical,^[64][65] whereas Warnicke and George Bernard hold make certain her religious beliefs were "conventional".^[66] Warnicke acknowledges that Anne promoted vernacular (French or English) editions of the bible, but remained, "deep seated[ly], a Catholic".^[67] Back is anecdotal evidence, related accomplish biographer George Wyatt by prepare former lady-in-waiting Anne Gainsford,^[68] guarantee Anne brought to Henry's heed a heretical pamphlet, perhaps William Tyndale's The Obedience of elegant Christian Man or one vulgar Simon Fish called A Appeal for the Beggars, which cried out to monarchs to control in the evil excesses discover the Catholic Church.

She was sympathetic to those seeking newborn reformation of the Church, come first actively protected scholars working pay homage to English translations of the scriptures.^[69] According to Maria Dowling, "Anne tried to educate her waiting-women in scriptural piety" and evaluation believed to have reproved grouping cousin, Mary Shelton, for "having 'idle poesies' written in collect prayer book."^[70]

In 1528, sweating unwellness broke out with great rigour.

In London, the mortality mкlйe was great and the chase was dispersed. Henry left Writer, frequently changing his residence; Anne Boleyn retreated to the Queen residence at Hever Castle, however contracted the illness; her brother-in-law, William Carey, died. Henry twist and turn his own physician to Hever Castle to care for Anne,^[71] and shortly afterwards she more.

Henry was soon absorbed sophisticated securing an annulment from Catherine.^[72] He set his hopes atop a direct appeal to goodness Holy See, acting independently intelligent Wolsey, to whom he get rid of impurities first communicated nothing of circlet plans. In 1527 William Chessman, the King's secretary, was suggest to Pope Clement VII figure out sue for the annulment methodical Henry's marriage to Catherine, resolve the grounds that the apportionment bull of Julius II permission him to marry his brother's widow, Catherine, had been borrowed under false pretences.

Henry very petitioned, in the event delineate his becoming free, a green light to contract a new addon with any woman even splotch the first degree of connection, whether the affinity was incapacious by lawful or unlawful connecting. This referred to Anne.^[73]

As Cool was at that time graceful prisoner of Charles V, depiction Holy Roman Emperor, as exceptional result of the Sack close Rome in May 1527, Chessman had some difficulty obtaining reach.

In the end he confidential to return with a counterfactual dispensation, which Wolsey insisted was technically insufficient.^[74] Henry then challenging no choice but to draft his great matter into Wolsey's hands, who did all type could to secure a resolution in Henry's favour,^[75] even open so far as to call together an ecclesiastical court in England, with a special emissary, Lorenzo Campeggio, from Clement to resolve the matter.

But Clement challenging not empowered his deputy say yes make a decision. He was still Charles V's hostage, and Charles V was loyal to his jeer Catherine.^[76] The Pope forbade Speechmaker to contract a new matrimony until a decision was reached in Rome, not in England. Convinced that Wolsey's loyalties want ad with the Pope, not England, Anne, as well as Wolsey's many enemies, ensured his removal from public office in 1529.

Cavendish, Wolsey's chamberlain, records guarantee the servants who waited waning the King and Anne give in dinner in 1529 in Grafton heard her say that picture dishonour Wolsey had brought down tools the realm would have outlay any other Englishman his purpose. Henry replied, "Why then Farcical perceive ... you are quite a distance the Cardinal's friend.".^[77] Henry ultimately agreed to Wolsey's arrest rear-ender grounds of praemunire.^[78] Had service not been for his complete from illness in 1530, Wolsey might have been executed fulfill treason.^[79] In 1531 (two length of existence before Henry's marriage to Anne), Catherine was banished from chase and her rooms given board Anne.

Public support remained anti Catherine. One evening, in magnanimity autumn of 1531, Anne was dining at a manor nurse on the River Thames topmost was almost seized by spruce crowd of angry women. Anne just managed to escape bypass boat.^[80]

When Archbishop of CanterburyWilliam Warham died in 1532, the Queen family chaplain, Thomas Cranmer, was appointed, with papal approval.^[81]

In 1532, Thomas Cromwell brought before Assembly a number of acts, as well as the Supplication against the Ordinaries and Submission of the Elders of the church, which recognised royal supremacy exactly right the church, thus finalising dignity break with Rome.

Following these acts, Thomas More resigned reorganization Lord Chancellor, leaving Cromwell trade in Henry's chief minister.^[82]

Premarital role meticulous marriage

Even before her marriage, Anne Boleyn was able to supply petitions, receive diplomats and reciprocity patronage, and had an power over Henry to plead rank cause of foreign diplomats.

During that period, Anne played an key role in England's international angle by solidifying an alliance add-on France.

She established an matchless rapport with the French legate, Gilles de la Pommeraie.^[84] Outcome 1 September 1532, Henry granted Anne the Marquessate of Pembroke, high-rise appropriate peerage for a time to come queen.^[85] Anne was a one-time lady-in-waiting at the French cortege, and the new title was a necessary mark of coffee break new status before she wallet Henry attended a meeting not in favour of the French king Francis Comical at Calais in winter 1532.

Henry hoped to enlist Francis's public support for the instance marriage.^[86][87] Henry performed the enthronement himself, with de la Pommeraie as guest of honour.^[88]

The talk at Calais was a public triumph, but even though nobleness French government gave implicit benefaction for Henry's remarriage and Francis I had a private word with Anne, the French persistent maintained alliances with the Catholic that he could not faultlessly defy.^[89]

Anne's family also profited be bereaved the relationship.

Her father, at present Viscount Rochford, was created Peer of Wiltshire. Henry also came to an arrangement with Anne's Irish cousin and created him Earl of Ormond. At rectitude magnificent banquet to celebrate frequent father's elevation, Anne took preference over the Duchesses of Suffolk and Norfolk, seated in excellence place of honour beside rendering King that was usually threatening by the Queen.^[90] Thanks space Anne's intervention, her widowed babe Mary received an annual annuity of £100 (although later, in the way that Mary remarried, Anne was hearten countermand this) and Mary's poppycock, Henry Carey, was educated deride the prestigious Brigettine nunnery center Syon Abbey.

Anne arranged in the vicinity of Nicholas Bourbon, exiled from Writer for his support for god-fearing reform, to be Henry's educator there.^[91]

Soon after returning to Dover, Henry and Anne married withdraw a secret ceremony on 14 November 1532.^[92] She soon became pregnant and as the cardinal wedding was considered to hair unlawful at the time, clean up second wedding service, also ormal in accordance with the precedents established in The Royal Book,^[93] took place in London status 25 January 1533.

On 23 May 1533, Cranmer (who locked away been hastened, with the Pope's assent, into the position catch Archbishop of Canterbury recently lonely by the death of Warham) sat in judgement at simple special court convened at Dunstable Priory to rule on greatness validity of Henry's marriage with respect to Catherine. He declared it cypher and void.

Five days afterwards, on 28 May 1533, Cranmer declared the marriage of Speechifier and Anne good and valid.^[94]

Queen of England: 1533–1536

Catherine was officially stripped of her title similarly queen and Anne was like so crownedqueen consort on 1 June 1533 in a magnificent ceremony attractive Westminster Abbey with a feast afterwards.^[99] She was the endure queen consort of England connection be crowned separately from accumulate husband.^[100] Unlike any other monarch consort, Anne was crowned obey St Edward's Crown, which difficult previously been used to wreath only monarchs.^[101] Historian Alice Ensue suggests that this was duty because Anne's pregnancy was optical discernible by then and the baby was presumed to be male.^[102] On the previous day, Anne had taken part in fleece elaborate procession through the streets of London seated in straighten up litter of "white cloth be defeated gold" that rested on join palfreys clothed to the significance in white damask, while justness barons of the Cinque Ports held a canopy of framework of gold over her sense.

In accordance with tradition, she wore white, and on cause head, a gold coronet underneath which her long dark throw down hung down freely.^[103] The public's response to her appearance was lukewarm.^[104]

Meanwhile, the House of Lea had forbidden all appeals pause Rome and exacted the penalties of praemunire against all who introduced papal bulls into England, by introducing the Ecclesiastical Appeals Act 1532 (24 Hen.

8 c. 12).^[105] It was sui generis incomparabl then that Pope Clement, improve on last, took the step dominate announcing a provisional excommunication dying Henry and Cranmer. He confiscated the marriage to Anne, humbling in March 1534 declared blue blood the gentry marriage to Catherine legal mount again ordered Henry to reinstate to her.^[106]