Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn was the queen of England from 1533 to 1536. She was the second wife of King Henry VIII. She was later beheaded for treason. The queen was an important figure in the political and religious upheaval that plagued the country at the time. Her death was a turning point in the country's history.
Mary Boleyn
Mary Boleyn, the mother of Anne's second child, was an English courtier. She was engaged to Henry Percy, but her parents forbade their marriage. Henry VIII, however, sided with the parents and cancelled the engagement, possibly because he liked Anne Boleyn too much to allow another man to have her. She remained with her family for a few years. She later returned to royal circles when she became a lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon.
Portraits of Anne and Mary Boleyn
While no portraits of Anne or Mary Boleyn survive, there is a miniature painting by Lucas Horenbout that has long been believed to depict the queen. However, a scholar's analysis of the age of the model suggested that it was a portrait of Mary Boleyn. It is also popular belief that Mary was the fairer of the two sisters. This notion has been reinforced by historical fiction.
Madge Shelton
Madge Shelton was a noblewoman during the Tudor era, and a cousin of Anne Boleyn. Anne Boleyn was the wife of Henry VIII and queen consort. She was a staunch opponent of the Catholic Church, and she worked to build up England's navy and independence. During her lifetime, Anne was accompanied by her close friend Margaret Shelton. They both shared the same vision for the country. Anne would later pass this vision down to her daughter, future Queen Elizabeth I. This novel is not the only adaptation of this book; Madge Shelton also appears in the television series, The Tudors.
Anne Boleyn's trial
Anne Boleyn's trial was presided over by the Duke of Norfolk. The trial included a grand jury that included 26 peers. Anne pleaded her innocence but was found guilty. She was sentenced to death by burning or beheading. Her brother, George, was also convicted. The execution was delayed, however, because the executioner was not yet in England. In spite of the delay, Henry wanted Anne's death to be swift and painless. Her execution was delayed until he was able to procure an executioner from France.
Mark Smeaton
There's no definitive evidence to support the relationship between Anne Boleyn and Mark Smeaton. But some scholars believe the two were at least acquainted with each other. Anne was a patron of the arts, and she likely sent Mark gifts from time to time. Nevertheless, it seems that she took little personal interest in Mark. Indeed, she once told Smeaton that she'd never spoken to him before. The two were likely just part of the background noise in the palace.
Mark Smeaton's Background
Mark Smeaton was a man of no great distinction. Born in Flanders, his father was a carpenter. At an early age, Smeaton was a member of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey's choir. When Wolsey fell from grace, Smeaton was transferred to the chapel royal. In 1532, his singing drew the attention of Anne Boleyn, and in 1533, he became the court musician.
Henry Norris
The affair between Henry Norris and Anne Boleyn had been suspected by John Skip, the Queen's almoner. But he did not know the whole story. He learned of Norris's affair when a friend, Sir Edward Baynton, informed Cromwell. Cromwell realized that words could be twisted so easily. This made it easy to accuse Anne and Norris of adultery.
The Scandal of the Affair
The affair between Henry Norris and Anne Boleyn was a scandal for a number of reasons. The first is that Norris had been a close friend of the king. His close relationship with the King meant that he was the king's closest confidante. He was present in the morning and the evening and controlled the king's access. In fact, anyone who wished to visit Henry would first need to pass through Norris.
Catherine of Aragon
There are several differences between the lives of Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragone. The former was born to Spanish royalty, and was raised to be a queen. In England, it was highly unusual for a female to succeed the throne, and fathering a male heir was considered a priority. Henry and Catherine seemed to be a good match, but Catherine suffered from miscarriages and stillbirths.
The Marriage and the Bible
The two women were married in 1527, when Henry VIII had no living son. After their marriage, Henry was desperate to produce a son and was tempted to consult the Bible for a spousal dispensation. However, the Bible states that a man may not marry the widow of a deceased brother. Henry believed this to be a sign from God that he had been denied a royal heir.
Henry VIII
When the King and Queen of England were unable to have a child together, Henry VIII sought a wife who would be able to provide an heir. His first marriage to Catherine of Aragon had failed to produce any sons. Their daughter was born in the year 1516. The King sought an annulment, but the Catholic Church and the Pope refused his request. Henry then sought alternative ways to ensure his heir was raised in the Catholic faith. After consulting with William Tyndale, he concluded that he did not need the pope's approval on matters of church.
Henry and Anne's Love Affair
Henry and Anne's love affair was a complicated one. They argued about what was best for their child and fought over the marriage. While their love was mutual, they were unable to have a child together. Henry was frequently unfaithful and his interest in Anne was a hindrance to his plans. Thomas purposefully removed Anne to Kent for her rest and to avoid Henry's attention.
