So Many Queens, So Little Time

I'm almost done reading my history of Henry VIII! And I've only written about one out of six of his wives! Clearly I've got some catching up to do. In my previous post, I talk about the faithful Katherine of Aragon, daughter to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, first wife of Henry VIII. Here is a portrait of Katherine:

Henry VIII was becoming more anxious for a male heir, since the peace of England depended on it. Katherine was in her late 30s when Anne Boleyn caught Henry's eye and heart. He pursued Anne for 7 years (!) before she finally submitted to him. Anne Boleyn had great control over Henry, and she and her family came to symbolize reform at court. Here are some quick facts about the witty, flirtatious, and powerful Anne Boleyn:

-She was already pregnant when she and Henry were married.
-Although she didn't have the most virtuous past, she made Henry pursue her for 7 years and give her an official title before she fully became his mistress.
-She is the mother of one of the greatest queens of England, Elizabeth I. She was also pregnant two or three more times although none of the other children survived.
-Henry had a habit of taking mistresses while his wives were pregnant and Anne openly chided him and protested against this, much to his displeasure.
-It was Anne who gave Henry the idea that he should be the leader of his counrty in its entirety, including leader of the church.
-Anne and Henry had only been married for 3 years by the time she was executed for treason due to unfaithfulness and plotting to kill the king.
-At least half of the charges brought against Anne have been shown to be made-up by those who wanted to see her out of power, and she was very unpopular with everybody.
-She was charged with many counts of infidelity, including incest with her own brother. Many of the men also accused were convicted and executed as well. There was a major power shift after all was said and done.

Being falsely accused was a horrible thing to happen to Anne, but how she had deposed the faithful and kind queen before her was also very horrible and underhanded. The pattern that I am beginning to see in this history is that the striving and fighting for power may last for a little while but it always comes to an end, and that fall from the top can be a very long fall. Anne Boleyn continues to fascinate me although I do see what a vicious and manipulative woman she was. Here is her picture: