‘it was determined that Anne should die, not by the agony of the fire, but at the hands of the executioner of Calais. He used the sword rather than the axe and had a reputation for removing heads with an exquisite surgical skill.’
David Starkey, Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII
May 15, 1536: Anne Boleyn Trial
On May 15, 1536, Anne Boleyn, the Queen of England, was put on trial in London for treason, adultery, and incest. She was sentenced to death and was executed four days later. Anne was famously known as the second wife of Henry VIII, and had failed to give birth to a son for the King. His obsession with having a heir to the throne that was a son led to him having six different wives.
”The sentence being denounced, the court arose.’ Anne curtsied to the peers, then was escorted by Sir William Kingston from the hall, with Lady Kingston and Lady Boleyn following. The Gentleman Gaoler walked alongside, his ceremonial axe now turned towards the prisoner, to show the waiting crowds that she had been condemned to death’
‘The Lord Mayor of London openly declared, ‘I could not observe anything in the proceedings against her, but that they were resolved to make an occasion to get rid of her at any price.’ Even Anne’s old enemy Chapuys thought that she had… been ‘condemned upon presumption [of guilt] and certain indications, without valid proof or confession’.
- Alison Weir, The Lady in the Tower
Letter sent from Anne Boleyn in the Tower of London to Henry VIII
‘Your grace’s displeasure and my imprisonment are things so strange to me, that what to write, or what to excuse, I am altogether ignorant. Whereas you send to me (willing me to confess a truth and so obtain your favour), by such a one, whom you know to be mine ancient professed enemy, I no sooner received this message by him, than I rightly conceived your meaning; and if, as you say, confessing a truth indeed may procure my safety, I shall with all willingness and duty, perform your duty.
Henry VIII publicly led Anne Boleyn out as his dancing partner for the first time at court.
I hate it to.. What I usually do is to watch movies on my computer. Before getting on the plane I cry out :p
aaaaaaaaargghhh! I’ve got to get on an aeroplane tomorrow :( and be stuck on it for aaaaaaaages…
really. don’t. like. flying.
HELP.
