Although she reigned for only three years, Anne Boleyn has become one of the most famous and controversial Queens in the history of England.
The Birth and Early Life of Anne Boleyn
Opinions differ as to the exact year in which Anne Boleyn was born. Dates ranging from 1499 to as late as 1512 have been suggested, but the general consensus places Anne as being born in either 1501 or 1507.
The daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn (a minor courtier) and Lady Elizabeth Howard (the daughter of the second Duke of Norfolk), it is known that Anne had two siblings, a sister, Mary and a brother, George. Their years of birth are also unknown but it is agreed that the three were close in age.
From Spring 1513, Anne served as a lady in waiting to Archduchess Margaret of Austria who was ruling the Netherlands on behalf of her father. Despite her youth, Anne soon became a favourite of the Archduchess, impressing many with her manners and pleasant demeanour.
Upon the marriage of Mary Tudor (the sister of Henry VIII) to King Luis XII of France in October 1514, Anne accompanied the new Queen to France as a lady in waiting. After the death of the King, Anne stayed in France to serve the new Queen Claude.
While serving in the French Royal household, Anne was educated in religious philosophy and may have come into contact with a number of religious reformers. As well as this, Anne developed an interest in French fashion and became an accomplished musician and dancer.
The Court of Henry VIII of England
Anne was recalled to England in January 1522, initially to marry an Irish cousin, but nothing ever came of the proposed marriage and she was appointed as a lady in waiting to the then Queen of England, Katharine of Aragon. Making her début at court in March 1522, Anne quickly became known for her style and charm. Despite her reported lack of beauty, Anne was known for her long dark hair and "her eyes, which are black and beautiful".
Engagement to Henry Percy
It was around this time, in 1523, that Anne met and fell in love with Henry Percy, son of the Earl of Northumberland. The pair became secretly engaged. However, Anne had also caught the eye of King Henry VIII. When word of Anne's engagement reached Henry, he ordered his great minister, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey to break it. This having been achieved, Henry Percy was married to the earl of Shrewsbury's daughter.
Anne also left the Royal court either at this time or slightly later, spending time at her family's country estate. It is unknown exactly when she left, but it is known that she returned in the Summer of 1526 at a direct request of the King that she resume her role as lady in waiting to Queen Katharine.
The Relationship Between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
The relationship between Anne and Henry VIII appears to have began gradually, becoming more obvious upon her return to court in 1526. Henry wrote many letters to Anne during her absences from court, detailing the gifts he sent her ("my picture, set in a bracelet") and declaring his love for her ("I and my heart put ourselves in your hands").
Noting the treatment her sister, Mary Boleyn, had been subjected to as a result of being the King's mistress, Anne refused to become so herself. This decision sparked one of the greatest revolutions in British history.
To read more about Anne Boleyn, click here
Sources:
The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Antonia Fraser, (Phoenix; New Ed edition, Aug 2002)
Six Wives: The Wives of Henry VIII, David Starkey, (Vintage; New edition edition, Mar 2004)
Letters of the Queens of England, ed. Anne Crawford, (Sutton Publishing Ltd; New edition edition,Aug 2002)
Selections of Henry VIII's Love Letters to Anne Boleyn (retrieved, 17th September, 2009)
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