I was reading Robin Maxwell's "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn" (it was a very slow week, and as everyone had been raving about this book, I decided to jump on the bandwagon), and was struck by a couple of passages in the book:
Anne: "My father's fortunes risen over Mary's debauchery" ~~~ this was Anne lamenting the fact that her father found favour and fortune when daughter Mary became mistress to King Henry VIII of England.
It was true, the Howards and Boleyns did find favour when Mary became the willing mistress of King Henry - for a young woman at court, to catch the eye of the King, and he was still a handsome and imposing figure at this early stage, was no mean feat. However, to maintain that allure was another thing. But Mary herself was no stranger to "debauchery" - her time at the court of the French King had earned her the nickname of "the hackney". But unlike Anne, Mary enjoyed her time in the spotlight for what it was, knowing that at any moment she would be replaced in the King's favour.
More on Mary Boleyn:
Mary Boleyn
Mary Boleyn
A bit later, Anne again bemoans the fate of women: "A woman is a castle or a piece of land, most valued, oft admired, improved upon. Then she's sold or bought by fortune's sake, for heirs, a bribe, a prize, a debt repaid. Her flesh, her mind, aching heart forgot, nay considered not at all."
Yes, that was the fate of women before her and for some time after her. Women were considered the "property" of the fathers, and then once married, of their husbands. Marriages were arranged - for political considerations, for financial advancement, for social advancement - love and the young woman's own inclination did not enter the equation. Father's sought to ensure that their daughters were seen by those who could enable advancement for the family, and they were married off before they knew what was going on, oft times to a man many many years older.
In the case of royalty, a marriage to a reigning sovereign was considered one of the highest achievements for a young noblewoman. But this also brought with it a new set of constraints. Consider the example of the Tudors - infidelity was treason which result in death; marrying a King did not always entitle one to eternal happiness - this was far from the case more often than not; and of course, though the woman was bound by fidelity, this did not apply to the lusty monarch. Henry VIII is a good example - whilst applauding virtue, obedience and fidelity in his women, he rarely practised it himself.
Yes, catching the eye of a monarch had its rewards. In the case of Mary Boleyn, her family found favour and enrichment (land, money, preferment at court) - Mary herself was rewarded with jewels and money, and a child (though it is speculated that as Henry did not officially acknowledge the child that it may have been fathered by Mary's husband). Yes, even husband's gained advancement and reward for allowing the monarch "use" of a wife.
I again refer to Robin Maxwell's book:
George Boleyn: "I would think him [William Carey, husband of Mary] wise if her were making use of it, seeking favour in return for use of Mary." Yes, much mileage was to be gained from Mary's "use".
But as we know, with hindsight, it was Mary who had the last laugh on them all. She survived her time at the Tudor Court, and more importantly, unlike her sister, Mary kept her head!
The Other Boleyn Girl's Story: the Real One
Anne: "My father's fortunes risen over Mary's debauchery" ~~~ this was Anne lamenting the fact that her father found favour and fortune when daughter Mary became mistress to King Henry VIII of England.
It was true, the Howards and Boleyns did find favour when Mary became the willing mistress of King Henry - for a young woman at court, to catch the eye of the King, and he was still a handsome and imposing figure at this early stage, was no mean feat. However, to maintain that allure was another thing. But Mary herself was no stranger to "debauchery" - her time at the court of the French King had earned her the nickname of "the hackney". But unlike Anne, Mary enjoyed her time in the spotlight for what it was, knowing that at any moment she would be replaced in the King's favour.
More on Mary Boleyn:
Mary Boleyn
Mary Boleyn
A bit later, Anne again bemoans the fate of women: "A woman is a castle or a piece of land, most valued, oft admired, improved upon. Then she's sold or bought by fortune's sake, for heirs, a bribe, a prize, a debt repaid. Her flesh, her mind, aching heart forgot, nay considered not at all."
Yes, that was the fate of women before her and for some time after her. Women were considered the "property" of the fathers, and then once married, of their husbands. Marriages were arranged - for political considerations, for financial advancement, for social advancement - love and the young woman's own inclination did not enter the equation. Father's sought to ensure that their daughters were seen by those who could enable advancement for the family, and they were married off before they knew what was going on, oft times to a man many many years older.
In the case of royalty, a marriage to a reigning sovereign was considered one of the highest achievements for a young noblewoman. But this also brought with it a new set of constraints. Consider the example of the Tudors - infidelity was treason which result in death; marrying a King did not always entitle one to eternal happiness - this was far from the case more often than not; and of course, though the woman was bound by fidelity, this did not apply to the lusty monarch. Henry VIII is a good example - whilst applauding virtue, obedience and fidelity in his women, he rarely practised it himself.
Yes, catching the eye of a monarch had its rewards. In the case of Mary Boleyn, her family found favour and enrichment (land, money, preferment at court) - Mary herself was rewarded with jewels and money, and a child (though it is speculated that as Henry did not officially acknowledge the child that it may have been fathered by Mary's husband). Yes, even husband's gained advancement and reward for allowing the monarch "use" of a wife.
I again refer to Robin Maxwell's book:
George Boleyn: "I would think him [William Carey, husband of Mary] wise if her were making use of it, seeking favour in return for use of Mary." Yes, much mileage was to be gained from Mary's "use".
But as we know, with hindsight, it was Mary who had the last laugh on them all. She survived her time at the Tudor Court, and more importantly, unlike her sister, Mary kept her head!
The Other Boleyn Girl's Story: the Real One
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