Anne Bolelyn

Anne was born in about 1500-1507 (no exact date). Her father, Sir Thomas Boleyn, was a respected courtier. Her mother, Elizabeth Howard, was the daughter of Sir Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, one of the most powerful men in the country. She spent her childhood at Hever Castle in Kent.

In 1513, Thomas Boleyn sent Anne to the court of Margaret of Austria, and then to the French court, originally as a companion to Henry VIII’s sister, Mary, who was married to Louis XII. After Louis’ death in 1515, Anne stayed in France for seven years in the household of Queen Claude, wife of the new king, Francis I.

For an ambitious family like the Boleyns, this was a wonderful opportunity for their daughter to learn all the skills and manners expected of at court. 

Her French education made Anne stand out on her return to England: she could sing, play musical instruments and dance, and introduced new French fashions at court.

Anne returned to England in early 1522, to marry her Irish cousin James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond. The marriage plans were broken off, and instead, she entered court as maid of honor to Henry VIII's wife, Catherine of Aragon. 

Anne became Catherine’s lady-in-waiting in the early 1520s, the Queen’s days were numbered. Anne was glamorous and young, and captivated the King.  

Her sister, Mary, was one of the King's many mistresses'. Historians dispute if Henry VIII was the father of one or both of Mary Boleyn's children.

In 1526, Henry VIII became enamoured of Anne and began his pursuit. Anne was a skillful player at the game of courtly love, which was often played in the antechambers. This may have been how she caught the eye of Henry, who was also an experienced player.

Some say that Anne resisted Henry's attempts to seduce her, refusing to become his mistress, and often leaving court for the seclusion of Hever Castle. She had her eye on a bigger prize, and wouldn't settle for just being a mistress. She determined that she would yield to his embraces only as his acknowledged queen. She began to take her place at his side in policy and in state, but not yet in his bed. 

In 1527 Henry initiated secret proceedings to obtain an annulment from his wife, the aging Catherine of Aragon; his ultimate aim was to father a legitimate male heir to the throne. For six years Pope Clement VII, under pressure from Henry’s rival Charles V, refused to grant the annulment, but all the while Henry’s passion for Anne was strengthening his determination to rid himself of his queen.