Romancing the Renaissance:
the Feminization of Early Modern Culture in Twentieth Century Mass Media

English 339

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Anne Boleyn
Michelle Fongemie

Biography:

Born 1501/2 or 1507 at Blickling Hall, Norfolk

Executed May 19, 1536 at Tower Green

Anne Boleyn, born the daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn and Elizabeth Howard, was sent off to school at a young age to France. It was there, at the French court, where she was under the eye and influence of the French Queen herself and during these young years was taught all the appropriate measures in order to ensure her a successful future, meaning how to act like a lady and attract the eye of a gentleman of the court. After some years in France, Anne was introduced to the English court in 1522. It is here where Anne Boleyn attracted the eye of one of history's most famous playboys, Henry VIII.

However, Anne did not immediately establish a public relationship with King Henry. Anne's older sister Mary was already a mistress of King Henry and the King did not turn his eye to Anne until about 1526 or 1527. Anne kept him waiting before she allowed their relationship to be displayed in the court because she didn't want to be a mistress, she wanted a full fledge royal relationship. The King's desire for Anne and for a male heir overcame him and this led to divorce proceedings against Katherine of Aragon in 1527. In 1532, Anne finally gave in to henry's romantic interests and the resulting pregnancy led to a secret marriage (January 1533) and the final annulment (May) by Archbishop Cranmer of Henry's previous marriage.

Anne was crowned as Queen on June 1st of that year and was the only one of Henry's "Queens" who was crowned, other than Katherine of Aragon. Anne delivered a baby girl, Elizabeth, in September of 1533, and this was a great disappointment to Henry because he desperately wanted a male heir. In 1536, after a miscarriage of a son, Anne was brought to trial on charges of adultery. Her named lovers were Sir Henry Norris, Sir Francis Weston, William Brereton, and Mark Smeaton. Under great pressure, a court, headed by Anne's own uncle Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, condemned her, and she was beheaded at Tower Green on May 19, 1536.

The following is the execution speech given by Anne at 8 o'clock in the morning, recorded by Edward Hall. (This was the first public execution of an English queen).

Good Christian people, 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 am come hither to accuse no man, not to speak anything of that, whereof I am accused and condemned to die, but I pray God save the king and send him long reign over you, for a gentler nor a more merciful prince was there never: and to me he was ever a good, a gentle and sovereign lord. And if any person will meddle of my cause, I require them to judge the best. And thus I take my leave of the world and of you all, and I heartily desire you all to pray for me. O Lord have mercy on me, to God I commend my soul.

--Anne Boleyn, May 19, 1536

The daughter, Elizabeth, vowed never to marry, because in her mind, marriage meant death.

Books of interest concerning Anne Boleyn:

Anne Boleyn The Martyr of Antioch and Anne Boleyn

-L. Adams Beck -Henry Hart Milman

Anne Boleyn Vertue betray'd, or, Anna Bullen (1682)

-Marie Louise Bruce -John Banks

Anne Boleyn Windsor Castle

-Hester W. Chapman -William Harrison Ainsworth

Blood royal : a novel Mistress Anne

-Mollie Hardwick -Carolly Erickson

Films of interest concerning Anne Boleyn:

1.Geneviève Bujold (as Anne Boleyn)

Anne of the Thousand Days (1969)

2. Merle Oberon (as Anne Boleyn)

Private Life of Henry VIII, The (1933)

3. Henny Porten (as Anne Boleyn)

Anna Boleyn (1920)

4.Charlotte Rampling (as Anne Boleyn)

Henry VIII and His Six Wives (1973)

5. Vanessa Redgrave (as Anne Boleyn)

Man for All Seasons, A (1966)

6. Barbara Shaw (I) (as Anne Boleyn)

"Six Wives of Henry VIII, The" (1971)

(mini) TV series

7. Elaine Stewart (as Anne Boleyn)	Young Bess (1953)

8. Dorothy Tutin (as Anne Boleyn).

Perles de la couronne, les (1973)

Description | Schedule | Syllabus | Class Handouts | Internet Resources

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