Guest Author - Kim DeLeary

Anne Boleyn was born in 1504 as a daughter to the aristocratic Thomas Boleyn, the first Earl of Wiltshire and his wife Elizabeth, the Countess of Wiltshire. Anne is remembered as one of the wives of King Henry VIII. Anne received a good education in her youth and when she was allowed to further her education in France, she acted as an interpreter in the French royal court.

Anne Boleyn was fashionable, charming and could dance well. Despite having a lively social life, Anne also made shirts for poor people. Upon Anne's return to England, she was made a lady-in-waiting to Catherine, Henry's queen. In 1522, Anne made her debut at court. She quickly became a court favorite because of her intelligence and wit. After leaving the court for a while and returning, the married Henry VIII noticed Anne and began to pursue her in earnest.

Henry VIII's wife at the time was Catherine of Aragon. Catherine had previously been married to Henry's elder brother who died young. Catherine said the marriage had remained unconsummated. Henry had betrothed and was subsequently married to Catherine in 1509. By 1525, it was apparent that Catherine would not produce a male heir after several miscarriages and the loss of young sons. Only one daughter named Mary survived. This was not good enough for Henry VII who wanted a male heir. Henry wanted out of this marriage and he wanted sons.

Henry began turning his attentions to Anne. Anne's older sister had been the king's mistress even though she was married. Anne was known for successfully keeping men at a distance. She understood how easily a woman's reputation could be ruined. Anne refused Henry's advances until he proposed marriage. She accepted his proposal but refused to bed Henry. If she did get pregnant before marriage, her children would be considered illegitimate.

Henry tried to get his marriage to Catherine annulled because he said her marriage to his brother had been consummated. By 1531, Henry had Anne moved into Catherine's old rooms after he banished Catherine. Henry married Anne in 1533 and through an Act of Parliament declared himself the head of the church. His marriage to Catherine was annulled and Mary, his daughter, was declared illegitimate and further, it was stated that any children from his marriage to Anne would be next in line to the throne. There were actually two wedding ceremonies and by the second marriage, Anne was pregnant. Elizabeth I was the result of this pregnancy.

Anne had a sumptuous court where there were many entertainments. Henry began seeing other women. Anne suffered a miscarriage in 1534. By 1535, the marriage began to break down. Anne is rumored to have miscarried again on the day of Catherine of Aragon�s funeral in 1536. Henry did not think he would get the son he think he needed. Shortly after the miscarriage, Henry said the marriage was cursed and he moved Jane Seymour in. In April 1536, five men were arrested as being Anne's lovers, including her brother. Under torture, Flemish musician Mark Smeaton said that Anne was unfaithful. Before he was tortured, he had maintained that Anne was innocent. The other men said Anne was innocent.

On May 2, Anne was arrested and with her brother, was taken to the Tower of London. Anne was accused of witchcraft, treason, incest and adultery. The five men were executed on May 17. Anne was executed on May 19 by beheading with a sword. She met her end bravely.

King Henry VIII would continue to prove to be a dangerous man to have for a husband. In time, it was apparent that Henry VIII had some despicable ways of getting rid of his wives. In his lifetime, Henry VIII managed to get married six times anyway. He divorced the first - Catherine of Aragon, beheaded the second - Anne Boleyn, lost the third to death after she produced his only male heir - Jane Seymour, divorced the fourth after six months because he found her unattractive - Anne of Cleves, beheaded the fifth for adultery - Catherine Howard and finally left the sixth a widow - Catherine Parr.

Anne Boleyn's ghost has been seen leading a courtly procession in the Green Tower and was described as elegant by the guard who watched the event. Anne's ghost also scared a guard who then stabbed at her misty apparition. This event had witnesses. Anne's ghost also appears near the place of her execution. Some have also witnessed her headless body walking in the Tower. Some have even said that Anne's ghost sometimes carries her head.


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