Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn (* between 1501 and 1508 in Blicking, Norfolk, † 19 May 1936) was the second of the six wives of Henry VIII of England. She was Queen of England from 1533 to 1536.

Family

Her parents were Thomas Boleyn and Elizabeth Howard, who got married in 1501. Thomas Boleyn's ancestors were rich merchants. He served for the King because of his perfect French and Latin. Apart from that he was a Gentleman of the Bedchamber under Henry VIII. Anne's mother had aristocratic ancestors among them Edward I of England and his second wife Margaret of France. The Duke of Norfolk was Anne's maternal grandfather and her uncle was married to a sister of Elizabeth of York. Anne had two sibling - Mary and George.

Early Life

Anne Boleyn spent the first part of her childhood in Blicking. Some years later the family moved to Hever Castle. The three children were taught French by Mademoiselle Semmonet and Anne's French was decribed as very fluent. Later she met Thomas Wyatt, who was the eldest son of one of the neighbouring families. Her father did not agree on a marriage, because he had higher plans for Anne. She was sent to Belgium where she lived at Brussel's Court. In 1514 she came to France and was eventually made court lady. There she received excellent court education. In 1521 she returned to England to marry the son of the Earl of Ormond. This marriage eventually did not come about. In England she served as court lady of Henry VIII's sister Mary and of his wife, Catherine of Aragon, later. During that time she had a romance with Lord Percy. This relationship was put to an end by command of the King. After that Anne had an affair with Thomas Wyatt, who was already married to antoher woman.

Queen Anne of England

Probably in 1526, at the age of 35, Henry VIII recognized his affection for Anne Boleyn during the carnival. Their relationship was established very slowly, because at first Anne did not give in for him. In 1528 Anne did not live at Queen Catherine's royal household anymore. Supposedly she was sent to Durnham House to wait for Henry VIII. In 1531 Queen Catherine was banished to rural England but her marriage with Henry VIII was not anulled yet. Henry VIII appointed Anne Lady Rochford. In 1532 she was made 'Marquis' of Pembroke. Thereby she not only received thirteen estates in Wales, Somerset, Essex and Hertfordshire, but also a male title that could be inherited. In December 1532 she became pregnant. Henry VIII married her on 25 January 1533. Their wedding was kept a secret until Henry VIII's marriage with Catherine of Aragon was declared null and void on 23 May of the same year. Anne Boleyn was crowned on 1 June 1933 and named Anne Queen of England from this day on. Two days later she performed the traditional pompous procession through London to Westminster. The Londoners were not in favour of the new Queen and there was not much jubilance during the procession. They even made fun of the new royal couple by turning the initial letters of their first names into a loud 'HAHAHA'.