by Heather R. Darsie, J.D. Anne Boleyn’s coronation, like those of her predecessors, took into account aspects of her personality and future ideological role. As the first Renaissance English queen, Anne was not only seen as an intercessor between the public and the king, but also as part of Henry VIII’s body politic. This idea was established in the 15th century, most firmly so with … Continue reading Anne Boleyn’s Coronation
by Heather R. Darsie After Anne Boleyn had her coronation, she was assigned her own court and officers. Per her chaplain William Latymer, she gave two speeches to her court. The first was to her temporal officers, and the second to her spiritual advisers. The accuracy of these speeches is in no way verifiable, as William Latymer’s work was written during the reign of Elizabeth … Continue reading Anne Boleyn Speaks to Her Court, 1533
By Heather R. Darsie On 15 May 1536, Anne Boleyn was put on trial for her alleged crimes against Henry VIII. Three years earlier, a roughly five-months pregnant Anne and her husband Henry were learning that things were leaning in favor of their marriage. Henry and Anne secretly wed around 14 November 1532 in Dover, then officially secretly wed (confusing, I know) in January 1533 … Continue reading Anne Boleyn: The Difference of 1,100 Days
by Heather R. Darsie, J. D. On 24 March 1603, Elizabeth I died. She was approaching the age of 70 years. “It is not my desire to live or to reign longer than my life and my reign shall be for your good,” said Elizabeth to her parliament in 1601. Upon one of the many times parliament questioned Elizabeth about her plan of succession, she … Continue reading Sorrow in the City: Reactions to the End of an Age
by Heather R. Darsie, J. D. By February 1528, Henry and Anne’s romance was in full swing, judging from his seventh letter. A far cry in some ways from the first letter, Henry tries less to appeal to Anne Boleyn’s sympathy and outright addresses her as his beloved when Henry VIII writes, By the British School, before 1626; via Wikimedia Commons. “Darling, these shall only … Continue reading Henry VIII’s Seventh Letter to Anne Boleyn
by Heather R. Darsie, J. D. Henry VIII’s tumultuous relationship with Anne Boleyn is very well exemplified by the contrast between his fifth and sixth letters to her. As seen in the fifth letter, Henry is very confident in the relationship and jubilant because of Anne’s gift and the meaning behind it. In the sixth letter, Henry VIII seems worried about a cooling of affection … Continue reading Henry VIII’s Sixth Letter to Anne Boleyn
by Heather R. Darsie, J. D. Lucas Horenbout, painted between June 1526-June 1527. Royal Collection Trust. Henry VIII’s fourth letter to Anne Boleyn seeps romantic language, and is lacking the anxious tone of previous letters. Henry adopts an overall more romantic tone, and seems more confident in their relationship. The letter to Anne Boleyn starts with, “My Mistress and Friend, my heart and I surrender … Continue reading Henry VIII’s Fourth Love Letter to Anne Boleyn
by Heather R. Darsie, J. D. In this letter likely from 1527, Henry seems upset that Anne Boleyn failed to follow through on a promise she gave and did not give Henry positive emotional support the last time he saw her. Henry also asks after Anne’s current health. Henry writes, “Although, my Mistress, it has not pleased you to remember the promise you made me … Continue reading Henry VIII’s Third Love Letter to Anne Boleyn
Maidens and Manuscripts: Taking a fresh look at people and events from 1347 to 1625, with a focus on women and illuminated manuscripts 