Embedded Files
Depiction of Henry VIII's devotion as a father to Elizabeth I
The queen gave birth to a daughter slightly prematurely on 7 September 1533. The child was named Elizabeth, after Elizabeth of York (Henry VIII's mother).
But, the king and queen were not pleased with married life. The royal couple enjoyed periods of calm and affection, but Anne refused to play the submissive role expected of her.
The animated and opinionated intellect, that had made her so attractive as an illicit lover, made her too independent for the largely ceremonial role of a royal wife. It made her many enemies. For his part, Henry disliked Anne's constant irritability and violent temper.
After a false pregnancy or miscarriage in 1534, he saw her failure to give him a son as a betrayal. As early as Christmas 1534, Henry was discussing with Cranmer and Cromwell the chances of leaving Anne without having to return to Catherine.
On 8 January 1536, news reached the king and queen that Catherine of Aragon had died. The following day, Henry dressed all in yellow, with a white feather in his bonnet.
Queen Anne was pregnant again, and she was aware of the consequences if she failed to give birth to a son. Later that month, the king was thrown from his horse in a tournament and was badly injured; it seemed for a time that his life was in danger.
When news of this accident reached the queen, she was sent into shock and miscarried a male child at about 15 weeks' gestation, on the day of Catherine's funeral, 29 January 1536.
For most observers, this loss was the beginning of the end of this royal marriage.
Anne spending her last days as a prisoner
Henry VIII allowed Anne Boleyn a small mercy for her execution. At her request, Anne was beheaded cleanly with a sharp sword, rather than an unreliable axe.
Anne’s ‘failure’ to produce a son became the reason for her downfall.
Vicious rumours spread by surviving supporters of the old Catholic regime accused Anne of adultery and plotting the King’s death.
Early signs of a fall from grace included the king's new mistress, the 28-year-old Jane Seymour, being moved into new quarters. Also, Anne's brother, George Boleyn, being refused the Order of the Garter.
Between 30 April and 2 May, five men, including George Boleyn, were arrested on charges of treasonable adultery and accused of having sexual relationships with the queen. Anne was arrested, accused of treasonous adultery and incest. Although the evidence against them was unconvincing, the accused were found guilty and condemned to death.
The accused men were executed on May 17, 1536. Henry and Anne's marriage was annulled by Archbishop Cranmer at Lambeth on the same day.
On 19 May 1536, Anne was beheaded on Tower Green. She protested her innocence until the last, but her final reported words were uncontroversial, “I am come hither to die, for according to the law and by the law I am judged to die, and therefore I will speak nothing against it … I pray God save the King … for a gentler nor a more merciful prince was there never.
Execution of Anne Boleyn
Page updated
Report abuse