Tag: Anna of Cleves

Wooing a Lady

Henry VIII’s Seventeenth Love Letter to Anne Boleyn

by Heather R. Darsie The seventeenth love letter from Henry VIII of England to Anne Boleyn was likely written in late September 1528 because it mentions the arrival of the papal legate, Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio. Campeggio was acting legate in Rome for Pope Clement VII after Henry’s nephew through his current marriage to Katharine of Aragon, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, sacked Rome in … Continue reading Henry VIII’s Seventeenth Love Letter to Anne Boleyn

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This and That

A History of Beer Brewing in Germany and the Low Countries

by Heather R. Darsie Happy New Year, everyone! My very best wishes to you for a prosperous 2019!  Pieter Bruegel the Elder, “The Wedding Dance,” c. 1566, via Wikimedia Commons. When asked about trades which had a large impact upon economic development and government interests during the Renaissance, twenty-first century observers might instinctively point to the wool trade between England and the Low Countries, the … Continue reading A History of Beer Brewing in Germany and the Low Countries

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Wooing a Lady

Love Letter Sixteen from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn

by Heather R. Darsie The sixteenth love letter from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn was written around the middle of September 1528. Pope Clement VII, captured by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in June 1527 after the sacking of Rome in May, was still Charles V’s prisoner. The Pope did not return to Rome until October 1528. When Henry wrote this letter, he was … Continue reading Love Letter Sixteen from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn

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This and That, Women

The Revenge of Margaret Pole

by Heather R. Darsie In case you missed it on QueenAnneBoleyn.com On 28 July 1540, a great, accomplished man of Tudor Times was beheaded on Tower Hill. That man was Thomas Cromwell, briefly the 1st Earl of Essex, and Henry VIII’s Chief Minister. Cromwell sought to reform and consolidate the legal system the secular legal system and move away from canon law. Cromwell succeeded in establishing … Continue reading The Revenge of Margaret Pole

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Women

The Annes of Cleves, Part I

by Heather R. Darsie The name “Anne of Cleves” conjures thoughts of Henry VIII’s allegedly unattractive, unfashionable fourth wife. However, over the span of almost 200 years, there were five women known as “Anne of Cleves.” First we will meet Anne of Burgundy, who by marriage became an Anne of Cleves. For purposes of this article, we will refer to her as “van Kleef.” Next, … Continue reading The Annes of Cleves, Part I

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Women, Wooing a Lady

Love Letter Twelve from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn

by Heather R. Darsie The twelfth love letter from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn is a doozy, colloquially speaking. It shows the passion Henry has for Anne, the court intrigues of the Boleyn family, issues Henry had with religious entities in England, and was likely written just before Cardinal Wolsey made a brazen move counter to Henry’s wishes. Let us begin.  Wenceslaus Hollar, via Wikimedia … Continue reading Love Letter Twelve from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn

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This and That

Who was a True Renaissance Prince? Part III: Henry VIII of England

by Heather R. Darsie This is Part III of a four-part series, which seeks to look at what were considered the attributes of a Renaissance prince, and who of our four princes embodied the ideals of the Renaissance best. What were some of those themes? The idea of a Renaissance man stood for a person who strove to embrace knowledge and develop himself. This included … Continue reading Who was a True Renaissance Prince? Part III: Henry VIII of England

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This and That, Women

The Tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots

by Heather R. Darsie Mary, Queen of Scots lost her life on 8 February 1587. She was not buried for almost a full five months, finally being laid to rest on 5 August 1587 in Peterborough Cathedral. Peterborough Cathedral already had one queen buried there, namely, Katharine of Aragon, buried in 1536. Peterborough Cathedral has an impressive history beginning in 655 BCE, when the site … Continue reading The Tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots

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Wooing a Lady

Love Letter Nine from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn: Anne has the Sweat!

by Heather R. Darsie By June 1528, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn were deeply in love. The dreaded Sweating Sickness, or English Sweat, had tightened its grip in Anne’s household, and she retired to Hever Castle. Anne herself contracted the Sweat. This was very serious news, as the Sweat could kill its victim in less than forty-hours after symptoms appeared. In his fright for Anne’s … Continue reading Love Letter Nine from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn: Anne has the Sweat!

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Wooing a Lady

Henry VIII’s Fifth Love Letter to Anne Boleyn

by Heather R. Darsie, J. D. In the next letter from Henry to Anne Boleyn, Henry is devoid of anxiety after having received an expensive gift from Anne. Henry finds Anne’s interpretation of the symbolism behind her gift intoxicating, and writes to Anne: Wellcome Library, London, via Wikimedia Commons. “For a present so beautiful that nothing could be more so (considering the whole of it), … Continue reading Henry VIII’s Fifth Love Letter to Anne Boleyn

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