Anne Boleyn: The Headless Queen
" O death, rock
me asleep, bring me to quiet rest, let pass my weary guiltless ghost out of my
careful breast," stated Anne Boleyn the night before her execution. Anne
Boleyn is one of the most interesting monarch figures, committing unpopular
acts that changed England forever.
Childhood
We do not know much about Anne Boleyn's childhood but what we do know is this. Anne Boleyn was born in 1507. Historians believe that she was born in a town called Bricking, England. Her father was Thomas Boleyn the Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond. Her mother was Lady Elizabeth Howard the Queen. Anne had a sister named Mary and a brother named George. She was the youngest of the three children. Part of her childhood she lived in France but she moved back to England in 1522, therefore she grew up with two global cultures in her life. Anne Boleyn was raised by nobility and in her childhood she was surrounded by affluence.
Early Adulthood
Anne Boleyn had a very romantic beginning with King Henry. She made residence at a maid of honor for Catherine of Aragon. Mary, Anne's sister introduced the King to Anne. One night in 1522 at a ball, Anne danced expressly catching the eye of the King. Over time Henry VIII started to like Anne. He sent Anne love letters depicting his feelings for her. In one of them he said: " If you … give yourself up heart, body, and soul to me... I will take you as my only mistress rejecting from thought and affection of all others save yourself, I serve only you.'' However, at first Anne rejected King Henry. Anne and Henry had lots of very romantic conversations.
Adulthood
Anne had a rough time being Henry's wife and not being able to provide an heir to the throne. Anne Boleyn was King Henry's second wife. Henry was very headstrong and he split from the church so he would be able to marry Anne. On January 25, 1533 Henry and Anne had a quick and secret wedding without the Pope. On August 15, 1533 Anne gave birth to Elizabeth. Anne was not ready to take on the responsibility of being queen or Henry's wife. Henry wanted a baby boy so he had affairs with other ladies. Their relationship started to go down hill because Anne thought that Henry loved her so much, but he had affairs with other women. That made her jealous and started lots of fights. Later Anne had a stillborn baby boy and that made Henry extremely angry. They had a very scandalous marriage.
Death
Anne Boleyn was the first queen to be executed in public. She had several questionable charges against her and was executed very suddenly after being charged. She was charged with adultery, incest and conspiracy. On May 2, 1536 Anne was arrested and put in solitary confinement in The Tower of London. Initially, her sentence was to be burned to death. She felt burning was a gory way to die and she feared it very much. She admitted to adultery so that she could be beheaded instead of burned and she was glad to know she would die instantaneously. She was pleased to find out that a skilled swordsman was dispatched from France to carry out her execution. Anne was heard saying "I have heard the executioner is very good and I have a little neck". Right before she was executed she made this speech: '' I am come hither to accuse no man, nor to speak anything of what, where I am accused and condemned to die, but pray that God save the king and send him long to reign over you, for a gentler lord, she said adding, '' I take my leave of this world and of you all, and I heartily desire you to pray for me. O lord have mercy on me to God I commend my soul.'' And like that Anne was executed. After her death, Anne's body was put in a small arrow box but the box was too short so her head was tucked in beside her. After Anne died, King Henry VIII was very smug about her death and ten days later he remarried.
Anne Boleyn was King Henry VIII's first wife to be executed. Even though she only reigned for three years, she became well know as a controversial monarch and we still remember her today. She gave birth to Elizabeth I, who became one of the most important historical figures in English history.