Anne Boleyn is also notable for being the first Queen of England to be publicly executed.
Once found guilty, she was originally sentenced to burn, but Henry changed it from burning to beheading.
He called in an expert swordsman from France to carry out the execution instead of using the typical axeman.
“Anne Boleyn in the Tower” by Edouard Cibot. Wikipedia
Anne Boleyn was never described as physically beautiful.
In Europe during the 1500s, pale skin was considered the epitome of beauty.
But Anne had dark skin and long black hair.
Wikimedia Commons
But whatever she lacked in the beauty department, she made up with charisma.
When King Henry met her, he had already had carnal relations with Annes sister Mary.
But when he proposed that Anne become his mistress as well, she stubbornly refused until he married her.
The six wives of Henry VII. (Wikimedia Commons)
This set the stage for a courtship that lasted seven or so years.
The King of England chased Anne Boleyn for years until she finally agreed to marry him.
Anne played a pivotal role in the English Reformation.
King Henry VIII (Wikimedia Commons)
It can be safely stated that Anne Boleyn was the chief cause of the English Reformation.
Anne was not popular with the English public.
Catherines supporters and many Catholics referred to her was the Kings Whore.
A Lady, Called Anne Boleyn by Hans Holbein the Younger. (Wikimedia Commons)
Their marriage quickly soured due to Annes failure to produce a male heir.
But Anne suffered two miscarriages after that, and the second was of a clearly male fetus.
This led Henry to despair of her ability to ever produce a male child.
Anne deer hunting with Henry. (Wikimedia Commons)
Henry quickly turned his eye elsewherenamely, to Jane Seymour, who would eventually become his third wife.
Jane Seymour was Annes second cousin and the next object of Henrys eternally wandering eye.
Anne became aware that they were having an affair.
Anne’s sister Mary. (Wikimedia Commons)
A kangaroo court found her guilty of all charges when historians agree that she was likely innocent.
Henry granted Anne what he called the mercy of decapitation by a sword rather than an axe.
He promoted me from a simple maid to be a marchioness.
King Henry’s first interview with Anne Boleyn, by D. MacLise, 1835. (Wikimedia Commons)
Then he raised me to be a queen.
And if any person will meddle of my cause, I require them to judge the best.
Rumors persisted that after Annes head was severed from her body, it continued to talk.
Anne Boleyn by Hans Holbein the Younger. (Wikimedia Commons)
Anne Boleyn & King Henry VIII. Engraving by T. L. Raab. (Wikimedia Commons)
Thomas Cromwell, Anne’s friend and ally, whom disagreed with her on foreign policy as well as other issues. (Wikimedia Commons)
Bishop John Fisher, who refused to accept the marriage between Anne & Henry. (Wikimedia Commons)
Henry’s reconciliation with Anne Boleyn, by George Cruikshank. (Wikimedia Commons)
Jane Seymour. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Anne Boleyn in the Tower” by Edouard Cibot. (Wikimedia Commons)
Anne Boleyn’s Execution (Wikimedia Commons) and Anne Boleyn’s execution by Jan Luyken, ca. 1664-1712. (Wikimedia Commons)
St. Mary’s Church, where Anne’s heart was allegedly buried. (Wikimedia Commons)
