Mythic Monday: Anne Boleyn

Daughter of Thomas Boleyn, Earl of Wiltshire, and Lady Elizabeth Howard, Anne Boleyn lived 1501 – May 1536. She became the second wife of Henry VIII after a tumultuous period of political machinations resulting in the separation of the Church of England from Rome. Crowned Queen of England on June 1, 1533, Anne gave birth to the future Queen Elizabeth I later that same year. With no son as issue, Henry’s attentions flitted to the woman who would become his third wife, Jane Seymour. On May 2, 1536 Henry had Anne

arrested and incarcerated in the Tower of London. A jury found her guilty of witchcraft, incest, and adultery. She was beheaded on May 19th.

Anne Boleyn’s first cousin was famous Renaissance poet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, a forerunner of English poets writing in sonnet form along with Sir Thomas Wyatt. He also originated the use of blank verse. Henry Howard proved to be yet another of Henry VIII’s victims and was executed for treason in January 1547. My favorite poem of his has always been The Soote Season, which begins: “The soote season, that bud and bloom forth brings,With green hath clad the hill and eke the vale.” Soote means sweet.

Myths and misconceptions sprang up surrounding Anne Boleyn for numerous reasons:

• She had replaced the popular Queen Catherine of Aragon, Henry’s first wife, and for that suffered ostracism from public sentiment.

• Her nature displayed a self-confidence and style that many interpreted as arrogance and coldness.

• She was educated in France and the Netherlands and had a working knowledge of the world.

• Her actions illustrated ambition and a willingness to “put herself out there.”

• She disdained others’ opinions of her.

• Henry’s propaganda machine made sure she was reviled.

MYTH– She had a sixth finger on one hand.
FACT- Based on unbiased accounts, on the side of one fingernail was an innocuous bit of nail, almost unnoticeable and easily concealed.
MYTH- She had a third nipple.
FACT- This was likely a mere mole.
MYTH– She had warts and hideous moles all over her body.
FACT- She had a few small moles, nothing extraordinary.
MYTH– Her hair was dark and ugly.
FACT- She probably had dark auburn hair and an olive complexion. Her coloring appeared unattractive by the standards of that time, which favored blonde women with pale, translucent skin.
MYTH– She was a witch.
FACT- Red headed women were considered susceptible to manipulation by the devil. Although her hair was not red, its dark auburn color would do the trick. In addition, any exception to the standards of the time—including behavorial—made her a target. Anne was known for the bewitching gazes of her dark eyes. She did bewitch Henry—for a lamentably short time.

Cheers & Happy Reading!

Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance