Анна Болейн

EXACT DATE OF BIRTH of Annyboleyn is unknown, as well as a place. Historians assume that it happened in 1501-1507 in Blikling the Hall ("Blickling Hall") or Hever Castle ("Hever Castle"). Her mother – lady Elizabeth Howard – came from an ancient noble sort. The father – Thomas Boleyn – couldn't brag of so notable origin: some more generations back his family was engaged in trade. Anna had elder sister Mary and younger brother George.

Thomas Boleyn was the ambitious person and the successful politician – Henry VIIIth appreciated his diplomatic abilities and often sent the abroad. Thanks to communications of the father small Anna send the maid of honor to Margarita Avstriyskoy's yard, the Regent of the Netherlands, to Belgium. Margarita Avstriyskaya very warmly responded about Anna. Later to Anna and her sister Mary there will be a place at the French yard. Queen Claudia Valois was very pious woman, unlike the husband François I. In such contrast worlds sisters Boleyn grew. Mary will give in soon to a temptation and becomes François I mistress, and later and Henry VIIIth. Anna had sharper eye on the future …

When at England, once again, the relations with France, sisters Boleyn deteriorated it was necessary to come back home. They became maids of honor in свитеКатерины Aragonsky. For the first time Anna Boleyn appeared at an English yard on March 1st, 1522 on a masquerade. Ladies and gentlemen were dressed by "Virtues": king Henry VIIIth represented "Sincerity", his sister Maria - "Beauty", the duchess of Devonshire – "Honour", and Anna Boleyn – "Persistence". How the girl when the king saw her for the first time looked? In France it called "a fashion mirror". Anna's charm was so much in appearance, how many in live character, wit, charm and other talents. It was fragile addition with long black hair and big dark eyes. Anna wasn't an ideal of beauty of the time, then preferred fair-haired pale girls, as Jane Seymour. Anna was the educated woman: she knew some languages and wrote verses. It also I supported the translation of the Bible into English and I patronized people of art …

Anna's talents estimated and at an English yard, and speech about its wedding with nobleman Henry Percy, the count Nortumberlensky soon came. And everything would be good if the king didn't "take notice" of Anna Boleyn. Henry VIIIth ordered to cardinal Volsi to terminate engagement. Not grief, and rage was Anna's who wasn't knowing about plans of the king first reaction. The cardinal destroyed its future, in conversation with Percy called "the silly little girl" and "unworthy couple" though father Volsi was the simple butcher. Later, it will make everything that to destroy it …

Henry Percy's destiny is unenviable – his marriage with noblewoman Mary Talbot will be unhappy, he will witness trial of the woman whom loved and will endure it everything for two years …

24 summer Anna Boleyn was contrast to Henry VIIIth's growing old wife - Katerina Aragonskoy. Henry was young, well educated and charming. He thought that he can't achieve Anna's love. Still it always managed it. But it had an unexpected rival – court poet Thomas Uayett. It is very doubtful that Anna really had with it any serious relations: he was the married person, and all this was no more than court flirtation. But Henry's jealousy suited Anna Boleyn …

For the first time the king started rendering to Anna attention signs in February, 1526 when appeared on tournament with the motto "I Will Not Dare to Tell" ("Declare I dare not"). But Anna didn't hurry to answer its courtings – she remembered destiny of the forgotten sister. Henry was intrigued. Anna defiantly rejected its gifts. She refused to become the mistress of the king – she played on more precious prize. As soon as Anna learned from Henry about his doubts about marriage with Katerina Aragonskoy, she saw the chance. In her veins noble blood Plantagenetov flew – why not to become it the queen of England? From this point she started hinting that under certain circumstances could belong to its majesty a body and soul. Katerina Aragonskaya couldn't give birth any more, and in the person of Anna two desires of the king – passion to the inaccessible beauty and successor of a throne so necessary for a crown connected …

Divorce will be tightened for seven years. Because of love to Anna Boleyn Henry VIIIth will suspend relations with Rome and declares itself the head of church is will begin one of the most important events of its board – the Reformation of English Church …

Soon Anna with pleasure found out that is pregnant. On January 25, 1533 Henry VIIIth's secret wedding on Anna Boleyn took place. Ceremony happened in a royal chapel of the palace Whitehall …

In the spring on May 29, 1533 Anna Boleyn's magnificent crowning will follow. It – only from Henry VIIIth's wives which will receive such honor. The new queen wasn't popular. It was easier to people to hate the impudent woman, than the king. When Anna arrived to Westminster the Hall, Henry asked: "How to you townscape, my love? " "Sir, the city was beautiful, but I saw many covered heads, and heard at most some voices" …

Henry VIIIth kept the promise, Anna's turn … Anna Boleyn now came on September 7, 1533 gave birth to the child. Henry tried to hide disappointment and to encourage Anna is there was a girl, instead of the long-awaited son. Her named Elizabeth, later she becomes the well-known Elizabeth I – one of the greatest queens of England …

Anna, despite the first feeling of disappointment, very much fell in love with the daughter. To Henry's irritation, she insisted on that most to bring up it. Strangely enough, princess Maria – Katerina Aragonskoy's daughter, despite burning hatred to Anna who has stolen heart of her father, too became attached to the small stepsister …

On January 24, 1536 on tournament Henry fell from a horse, and fainted. According to eyewitnesses, Anna reacted cold, but nobody knows that she had on soul actually. It is considered miracle that it survived, but this incident won't take place without a trace. : at the king the old a foot wound will open. He won't be able any more neither to dance, nor to play tennis, hunts.

It was the real blow for such sports person as Henry, and it will be reflected in his character not to the best. Gradually Henry VIIIth will be disappointed in Anna - that didn't give birth to him to the promised successor, she had a willful character, she was jealous. Anna afforded more, than was permitted to the woman of that time, even to the queen. Unlike Katerina Aragonskoy, she badly hid the feelings …

The king convinced himself that Anna Boleyn bewitched him …

By this time of heart of the king Jane Seymour –  the complete antithesis to Anna in appearance and behavior, but not took control for. Considerable role I played both the politician –  François I and emperor Charles were going to unite, and Henry hurried to get support of the emperor. It was disturbed only by Anna …

Thomas Kromvell – Thomas Volsi's ambitious receiver on a post of the prime minister - becomes Anna Boleyn's ally against Cardinal Volsi who will die on the way to an execution place on November 29, 1530, but Kromvell promoted Anna Boleyn's falling. The king expressed desire to divorce from Anna. Kromvellya the idea came to mind: to accuse Anna of a serious crime – plot to begin against her process which would cause sympathy for Henry and I presented the queen in the most dark light. Кромвелль told to Henry that his spies informed: the queen changes to it and even plans murder of the king …

It is unlikely Anna, having so carefully and skillfully risen so highly, would allow itself such liberty. Too a lot of things were staked. That to her possible lovers: Henry Norris, Francis Veston, William Bririton – all of them were a noble origin and enjoyed confidence of the king. Only confessed in connection with the queen, and that is quite possible under tortures - musician Mark Smiton was ignoble blood and him added in the list rather for giving of all history still bigger …, as well as Anna's brother – George Boleyn.

Anna Boleyn delivered in the Tower by the boat through Gate of Traitors. Having set foot on land, it fell on knees and begged to the Lord for the help, saying that is innocent in crimes of which her accuse. "The Mr. valve *, me will put in a dungeon? " - she exclaimed. "No, madam, - the Constable of the Tower answered, - for you allocated those rooms in which you lived at night before your crowning". ** "It is too good for me! " - Anna began to cry …

The trial of Anna Boleyn took place in the main hall of the Tower. The king wasn't present. Among judges there was Anna's uncle – the columns Norfolk who too participated in her "rise on a throne". On attestations of eyewitnesses, Anna kept adequately, as if not in court, and at a state reception. She quietly listened to charges, and said … speech in the protection which made impression even on her enemies. Despite it judges unanimously found her guilty. Anna answered it that "doesn't fear death, but very much regrets that others, also unfairly accused, have to die".

Instead of a fire – traditional execution for sorcery – Henry VIIIth wrote out to Anna the skillful executione Not the simple axe, for the heads of traitors, and by a sword will execute the Queen of England...

Anthony Kingston, the Constable of the Tower remembered: "… when I came, she told: "The Mr. valve, I heard that I won't die today at noon, and it is a pity to me because I thought that by this time I will be outside sufferings". I answered it that sufferings won't be. Then she told: "I heard that very good, and I have an executioner a thin neck" and clasped her hands, warmly laughing. I saw not only men, but also the women expecting executions, and all of them strongly grieved, but as I know, this lady rejoiced death".

In night of expectation of execution Anna wrote the well-known poem.

 

On May 19, 1536 Anna Boleyn brought to the Tower Green to a scaffold covered with a black velvet. On it was, the dark brocade dress edged by fur, and on shoulders the white pelerine streamed. It looked tired, but having risen by a scaffold smiled, and said short speech. After the executioner, on - tradition, asked for it forgiveness, it kneeled and took off a necklace. One of maids of honor tied her a bandage on eyes …

"The queen accepted death with courage, - Kingston – the Lord later will write, be to it merciful".

Anna Boleyn buried in St. Peter's church in Fetters in the Tower, in an anonymous grave. Later, at the time of queen Victoria, on a place of her burial will establish a gravestone. And at the beginning of our century on the Tower Green will put a monument in her memory …r from France.

 

 

 

“With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm and Other Tales of the Ghostly Anne Boleyn”

If legends are true, Anne Boleyn’s ghost must be the most traveled ghost in Britain – if not in the whole world! In researching Anne’s afterlife, I have found at least seven locations where her spirit is said to walk:

• Hever Castle, her childhood home

• Blickling Hall, her alleged birthplace

• The Tower of London, where she was executed

• Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle, where Anne and Henry resided during their marriage

• Salle Church in Norfolk, where Anne’s body was allegedly moved after her original burial in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula in the Tower of London and secretly buried under a black slab near the tombs of her Boleyn ancestors

• Marwell Hall in Hampshire, a residence of the Seymours between 1530-1638.

 

Salle Church and Marwell Hall

I’ll start with the stories about which I could find the least information. I was unable to find any specific ghost stories relating to Salle Church, and the only story I could find about Marwell Hall is that she haunts YewTree Walk, where Henry VIII and Jane Seymour are rumored to have strolled while planning their wedding. Legend has it that Henry and Jane were at Marwell Hall while Anne was in the Tower awaiting execution, and that Henry had arranged for a chain of beacons to let him know that the execution had taken place. It has also been rumored that Henry first married Jane at Marwell Hall on May 19 (the day of Anne’s execution!) before their official wedding on May 30, 1536.

 

Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle

Anne also haunts two of the most famous royal residences in southern England – Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle. At Hampton Court she is seen wearing a blue dress. She has been described as walking slowly, with a sad countenance. One wonders if she ever encounters her successor, Jane Seymour, who died at Hampton Court on October 24, 1537, 12 days after giving birth to Prince Edward. Jane has been seen in the Clock Court and in the Silver Stick Gallery, wearing a white robe and holding a lit candle. Anne might also encounter the spectre of her first cousin, Henry’s fifth wife, Queen Katherine Howard, as she meanders the halls of Hampton Court. Following her arrest , Katherine allegedly broke free from her guards and ran towards the door of the Chapel, where Henry was at prayer, in hopes that if she could appeal to him in person, Henry would pardon her. Henry ignored her pleas, and Katherine was dragged struggling and screaming back to her rooms. The corridor through which she ran is now called the Haunted Gallery, and Katherine’s ghost can still be seen and heard running down the corridor, still pleading for mercy.

 

At Windsor Castle, Anne’s ghost has been seen standing at a window in the Dean’s Cloister. If stories are true, the hauntings at Windsor Castle may be a (dysfunctional) family affair. Henry also allegedly haunts Windsor, and one wonders what they might say to each other if they were ever to meet. Castle guests have heard Henry’s footsteps echo along the corridors of the castle, and have heard him moaning and groaning as he attempts to pull his ulcerated leg along behind him. Henry’s and Anne’s daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, has been seen by several members of the royal family haunting the Royal Library. Sounds of her high heels are heard on the bare floorboards before her figure appears and passes through the library and into an inner room. She has also been seen standing at a window in the Dean’s Cloister, wearing a black dress with a black lace shaw draped over her shoulders. Since Anne has also been seen in the Dean’s Cloister, perhaps mother and daughter have been able to forge the relationship that they were denied in life in the afterlife. One certainly hopes so.

Now I’ll tell the stories that relate to the places that had the greatest effect on Anne during her lifetime, either because of the happy times she enjoyed there, or because of the traumatic associations she has with them.

Blickling Hall

To start at the beginning, Blickling Hall in Norfolk is the place where many modern historians believe to be Anne’s birthplace. The present building, built in the early 17th century, for Sir Henry Hobart, stands on the site of a previous building that belonged to Anne’s father, Sir Thomas Boleyn. On May 19, the anniversary of her death, Anne is said to return to Blickling Hall. A carriage comes up the drive leading to the hall, drawn by six headless horses and driven by a headless coachman. Anne sits inside, dressed in white and holding her severed head in her lap. When the carriage reaches the front doors, the horses and carriage disappear and Anne goes inside to roam the halls until daybreak.

 

Also on May 19 her brother, George Boleyn, Lord Rochford, is seen being dragged across the countryside by four headless horses. His headless ghost has also been seen wandering the grounds of the estate, searching for peace and justice. Blickling Hall is also said to be haunted by their father, Sir Thomas Boleyn. Some say he is the driver of the coach that delivers Anne to Blickling Hall on the anniversary of her execution. After dropping Anne off at the front doors at midnight, Sir Thomas continues on, pursued by hoards of screaming demons cursing him for his betrayal of his family. He is forced to drive his spectral coach over 12 bridges that lie between Wroxham and Blickling for 1,000 years as penance.

 

Hever Castle

Hever Castle, Anne’s childhood home, came to be in 1272, when Sir Stephen de Penchester was granted permission from Edward I to convert his house at Hever into a castle. The Boleyns purchased the castle in the early 16th century, rebuilding much of the castle and erecting a comfortable Tudor residence within its walls. Henry VIII was rumored to have courted Anne beneath the great oak, which is still standing. The hauntings at Hever Castle are not nearly as macabre as those at Blickling Hall. Anne loved Hever, so perhaps she returns there for peace, and to contemplate the happiness that she once knew there. Every Christmas Eve she has been seen crossing the bridge over the River Eden in the castle grounds. She has also been seen standing beneath the great oak, under which Henry wooed her.

The Tower of London

The final, and by far most active of the places that Anne allegedly haunts is the Tower of London, the place of her execution. If ghosts are, as some believe, surviving emotional memories typical of one who has died violently, traumatically and tragically, as Anne did, then it is very understandable that some essence of her remains at the Tower. The main fortress of the Tower, known as the White Tower, was begun by William the Conqueror in 1078 and added onto by subsequent monarchs, so the Tower was already over 450 years old when Anne became queen. Since the Tower was a place of imprisonment and death for most of its existence, as well as a royal residence, it is said to be the most haunted building in London, if not the whole of England.

Anne Boleyn’s ghost has been seen in several places around the Tower grounds – in the White Tower, the Queen’s House, where she allegedly stayed the night before he coronation and also during her imprisonment prior to her execution (Claire’s excellent article about Anne and the Tower proves that this is a fallacy –  see Anne Boleyn and the Tower of London); Tower Green, site of the scaffold; and the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula, where she was buried under the floor of the chancel in an arrow case.

 

In 1817 a sentry patrolling the White Tower suffered a fatal heart attack after encountering a ghostly Anne Boleyn on a staircase. In 1864 a sentry standing guard outside of the Queen’s House reported seeing the white figure of a woman veiled in mist. She was wearing Tudor dress and a French hood; however, where her face should have been there was nothing. He challenged the figure and when it did not reply and continued towards him, the sentry made a thrust at it with his bayonet. What happened next caused him to swoon – his bayonet passed through the figure, and a firey flash ran up his rifle and gave him a shock. The sentry was court-martialed for falling asleep during his watch. He was found not guilty when several eyewitnesses told the court that they had also seen the headless woman on Tower Green that night. One officer who saw the event from a window in the Bloody Tower testified that he had heard the sentry yelling at the figure to stop, and then saw him thrusting his bayonet through it. He saw the figure pass through the bayonet and then through the sentry as well.

By far the most spectacular haunting by Anne in the Tower takes place in the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, where she is buried. In the late 19th century, a Captain of the Guard noticed a light burning in the locked chapel late at night. Upon finding a ladder and placing it against one of the chapel windows, he was shocked at the scene taking place in the otherwise “empty” chapel. It can best be described by an excerpt from Ghostly Visitors by “Spectre Stricken”, London 1882:

“Slowly down the aisle moved a stately procession of Knights and Ladies, attired in ancient costumes; and in front walked an elegant female whose face was averted from him, but whose figure greatly resembled the one he had seen in reputed portraits of Anne Boleyn. After having repeatedly paced the chapel, the entire procession together with the light disappeared.”