Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn
(1507 - 1536)
English Queen Consort (1533 - 1536) of King Henry VIII of England.

Anne was related to the powerful Duke of Norfolk, who secured her appointment not only to court, but as future Queen of England. Anne's rise to power was at the expense of Henry VIII's lawful wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon.

Anne gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth - she was said to have been already six months pregnant when married and crowned.

However, like Katherine, Anne's constant failure to provide Henry VIII with a male heir would be her downfall. She was accused of adultery - treason against the King and her execution planned by a secret Commission.

Meanwhile, Henry VIII cast his eye about court and set his sights on the pious Lady Jane Seymour.

Anne was executed on Tower Hill - Henry VIII was said to have brought in a skilled French swordsman to perform the beheading, as some consolation. Anne was buried in the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula.

Anne's fall from grace was mirrored in the fall of the Howard family and the rise of the Seymour family.

~~~ Melisende (first pub: 2/9/2006)