When the date was first announced for the wedding, I thought I heard wrong. May 19th? May 19th?
"That the day Anne Boleyn was beheaded," I told my husband matter-of-factly. "What a bizarre day to get married."
Granted, let's be honest. Lots of people were beheaded in England back in the day, so probably every day was a time when someone lost their head.
But Anne Boleyn's death?
I have an Anne Boleyn dress. I know it is far from authentic. But it's fun to wear around the house. I also threaten my kids on wearing it to pick them up from school if they sass me.
Anne Boleyn is one of my favorite queens of England. Why? Well, she was bold. She spoke her mind. You might have read the book The Other Boleyn Girl. That book was mostly about her sister, Mary. Yup, Mary hooked up with Henry VIII too. Then Henry grew bored of her, but the Boleyn family had their taste of fame, and they didn't want it to go away.
Enter Anne.
This is Natalie Dormer from The Tudors. I think she played an amazing Anne Boleyn. And yes, she was also in Game of Thrones.
Anne didn't have a choice. Back then, it was a male dominated world. Women were basically there to squeeze out babies. Boys preferred, thanks. So Anne had to catch the king's eye.
And guess what? She did it.
Granted, Henry VIII was married at the time to Queen Catherine, but she was unable to give him a son. He wanted a divorce, the Pope said, nope sorry, marriage is forever, Henry VIII had a mantrum and eventually broke free of the Church. It's why kings and queens of England are now the head of the church.
This is King Henry VIII in the show The Tudors. This is NOT how he looked, sadly.
How did Anne get Henry interested? Well, she didn't sleep with him like the other mistresses. She was all, "You gotta marry me first to get into my pantaloons."
Henry was like, "But babes, the Pope says no," and Anne was like, "Well, why do you have to listen to the Pope anyway?" and Henry was all, "Good question. Why DO I have to listen to the Pope? I'm KING of damn England."
Eventually Henry married Anne after he broke free of the Pope and was all, "Now you shall give me a son," and she was all, "Of course," and got pregnant. Henry was so sure it was a boy that he had a joust and celebrations planned, and then Anne had Elizabeth. Oops.
Henry had another mantrum, but said other children will follow, but sadly, this never happened. Anne had multiple miscarriages. Henry got tired of her, accused her of cheating on him and of being a witch, and off she went to the tower on May 2nd. She had to have been terrified.
Want to know something messed up? Her brother and other men accused of sleeping with her were beheaded outside her tower window. Can you image?
And then she heard her own scaffold being built.
She was beheaded on May 19th by a sword. Most people were beheaded with an old axe, but at least Henry gave her a little mercy and paid for a swordsman.
So yes. The royal wedding will be spectacular, no doubt.
But remember Anne Boleyn, who lost her life on May 19th, because the men around her insisted that she catch the eye of a king.
If you want to learn more about Anne, check out The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. Philippa has many books written about Henry VIII and they are all wonderful. There are obviously tons of other books written about Anne, and I've probably read them, but Philippa Gregory writes about her life in a way like no other.
You can also watch The Tudors and yes, they made a movie based on The Other Boleyn Girl, but it's not the best. There was also a recent one on PBS called Wolf Hall. It was mostly based on Thomas Cromwell, who at first helped Henry marry Anne, and then helped to get rid of her when Henry wanted to marry another.
(But Thomas Cromwell got his, he pissed off Henry when he brought him another wife (Anne of Cleves) and Henry hated her, blamed Cromwell for getting him into the mess, and had him beheaded. Karma. It's a real thing.)
Did you watch the royal wedding? Do you know much about Anne Boleyn?
You should rewrite history, so much funnier your way.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with what Alessandra said! And I would have never put two and two together!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know anything about Anne Boleyn actually, thanks for this information. And yup, I don't think I'd miss the royal wedding. :)
ReplyDeleteI just love this article. I will not watch the wedding. I don't quite know much about this wedding. My husband told me a bit but I don't care so yeah. I did not know about Anne Boleyn either, but now I want to learn more about her life. I loved how you wrote this article.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very emotional post. I loved the way of writing. I am looking forward for more such posts
ReplyDeleteI get up super early anyway so I'll probably tune in on Saturday morning if I'm up. If not, oh well. I'll catch the replay. I didn't realize Anne Boleyn was beheaded on May 19th. Wowzers.
ReplyDeleteI have watched all the Tudor episodes. Don't really think they thought much about the date when they were trying to decide. Like you said someone was beheaded on any date they set. Interesting to look up the lineage from the royal line and see who's child became Queen after Henry 8th. I know do you?
ReplyDeleteI do! First it was Edward, but he was under 18 so he had all these men around him being like, "I'll rule for the boy until he's of age!" It was a giant mess. Edward got sick and died, and wrote that he wished for Jane, daughter of Henry's sister to be queen but it was rightfully Queen Catherine's daughter Mary so there was a giant argument about that. Jane was queen for like 7 days and was removed. Unfortunately because men told her she had to do it, she lost her head. Mary was a terrible queen and wanted England to be Catholic again, the Protestants were pissed, many were burned or lost their heads. Mary got sick and died and then Elizabeth became Queen--Anne Boleyn's daughter.
DeleteThanks for that tidbits of history on Anne Boleyn. I'd check out the Tudors here as it can be entertaining and informative.
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about the Royals at all! This was definitely a very interesting read. I love anything to do with history and it's kind of fun to read about history like this. I do not follow anything about the royal wedding, but I might watch a little bit of it.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know anything about the royal family, other than Diana's boys. I had no idea about this whole story, and now you make me want to watch The Tudors. Btw, now that I know, yea that is an odd choice of dates to get married on!
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DeleteI am not so big on royal weddings or history but this May 19th day seems like it is very infamous in British history. I will look out for these important happenings from across the pond.
DeleteIt is so amazing I have never heard this day was important in history and no one is saying anything about it in the news. I will be watching carefully for any talk of this being a special day in British history.
ReplyDeleteUmmm...wow. I had no idea. I'm glad I came across your site now. I love your theme. The brand is hilariously clever. I will not be waking up early tomorrow though to watch the wedding. I will watch the recap and enjoy my sleep.
ReplyDeleteI really hope you wear the dress to pick up your kids. Maybe at least once?
ReplyDeleteI remember your love for her! Henry is a tool, though.
This was such an interesting post! I remember reading about her in school years ago, such a sad story.
ReplyDeleteI'm obsessed with Anne Boleyn and have read tons of books about the Tudors (and watched the show and agree Natalie Dormer was amazing!) and I love that you associated the royal wedding with her beheading because I thought the same thing!
ReplyDeleteLove your version of this story. I have heard of her but really didn't know her story.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of royal weddings. So, every important moment I will see on the news :) Thks for the Anne Boleyn story. I like history so I will read more about her.
ReplyDeleteOkay, this is all kinds of funny in an informed kind of way. I've never watched, but now I might have to.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I had NO idea who Anne Boleyn was before this post! Such a crazy story!I planned on watching the royal wedding tomorrow for sure
ReplyDeleteAwesome post ! Thank you for the ineteresting history. I’m not that interested in this royal wedding nonsense. I have not read the other Boleyn girl but it sounds like an interesting story.
ReplyDeleteWow I remember the name but forgot the history behind it even though I studied King Henry VIII. What a terrifying man to be around. Ironically the way history happens any date can be a happy date or sad one. My husband and I were married on April 15th, the same day as Tax Day in the US, the sinking of the Titanic and the shooting of Abraham Lincoln.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what your daughter's reaction would be if you pick her up in your costume lol. I could care less with the royal wedding.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love the story of the Boleyn sisters, I had no idea that was the date she was beheaded! Now that you mention it, is is a bizarre choice.
ReplyDeleteAnn Boleyn and King Henry is such an interesting story. This is way more interesting than the royal wedding. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove the Tudors and we studied the whole British Royalty quite extensively at school. Henry and Anne Boleyn's story was always the one I was most interested it. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI have always been fascinated about her story. I know it's a bit odd for them to set the date of the wedding on the same day but I guess they have moved past it? Or maybe they have forgotten. She's a strong-willed woman. She definitely made a mark in history.
ReplyDeleteI am not much into the royal wedding stuff but this is interesting about Ann Boleyn. I liked learning about her.
ReplyDeleteI actually didn't know much about this and now I feel very informed haha.
ReplyDeleteI did get to catch a little of the wedding this morning. But I had no clue about Anne Boleyn! Quite an interesting fact.
ReplyDeleteI always have loved that time of history when kings and queens reigned supreme. I never realized who Ann Boleyn was!
ReplyDeleteWow! I read history and I didn't get bored. I love the way you told the story of Anne Boleyn!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice post! I love the dress. Ha ha, I like that you told you kids not to sass you or you'll show up in it! That's adorable. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad story.. I feel terrible now Cos I have never heard of her, but I also didn't watch the wedding too but out of choice thou
ReplyDeleteI liked the way you have penned down .I had NO idea who Anne Boleyn is.Thanks for sharing .
ReplyDeleteWOW this is so interesting and I had no idea - you learn something new everyday!
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your post. Very well written. I didn’t watch the wedding but the Saw the pictures because it was everywhere
ReplyDeleteWhat an emotional and sad post to think about.
ReplyDeleteRoyal family should have decided another date
What a beautiful tribute... such an emotional post. Thank you for your post. ♡
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the history of Anne Boleyn,or even the date of the Royal wedding and the beheaded date.But,now,I know the history of Anne Boleyn.Thanks for sharing such a story.I read this article from beginning to end without missing any word.Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteI've always been intrigued by Anne Boleyn and always found her story very interesting. I didn't connect the date though!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know much about Anne Boleyn. This was very interesting - thanks for sharing! I didn't get up to watch the Royal Wedding, though I did watch some clips later in the day!
ReplyDeleteInteresting about Anne Boleyn! I did not watch the wedding. Well, I think I may have caught the ending. I can't remember.
ReplyDeletei watched the wedding and personally loved it ha- i didnt know about Anne Boleyn so I appreciate you sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat's a very interesting story, something totally new for me! I haven't seen the wedding, but hope to watch it soon. :)
ReplyDeleteI will have to find these books now! I had no idea it was that dramatic, but I guess any time you behead someone it would be dramatic. (Rena)
ReplyDeleteWow, i had no clue about Anne Boleyn and how messed up was that :( Now I want to read more. I wonder why they chose May 19th ? I'm pretty sure they knew about Anne Boleyn. So thats very bizarre to me. I haven't seen the wedding I just seen images on the tabloids.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing story wow!!! I love history and they're often a lot we can learn from it. Very very interesting indeed. Thanks a lot for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThat story is very amazing and emotional. I love all the history involved. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE English history. I ADORE it. I loved reading this post. I read whatever I can on this part of history!
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a history buff, but it is always so interesting to learn things like this. I'm glad I live in this century, but there is still a lot of work to be done!
ReplyDeleteAnne Boleyn is a fascinating and tragic figure in history. I have read a lot about her before.
ReplyDeleteThat is a piece of history I had no idea about. Probably the royal people also missed it. What a weird day to get married.
ReplyDeleteI honestly had no idea about this. I'd love to read the books and watch the movies. It's interesting!
ReplyDeleteIt is funny to think about how different (I hope) the royal life and politics are now. I think they just have so much less power that it isn't as important.
ReplyDeleteAnne Boleyn is definitely an interesting historical character! I thought it was funny how you would threaten to pick up your kids from the school in that dress.
ReplyDeleteI love the Royal Wedding and Anne Boleyn is such a mystery to me. I've watched every movie made of her I could find because she just kind of really interests me. I'm a history buff that way.
ReplyDeleteI wasnt familiar with Anne Boleyn before this post but thanks! You did have funny antidotes in describing her!
ReplyDeleteSo many great historical story I have heard. I didn't know her but her story is such an interesting one.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea...I like your style of writing for this...I love a little humor. But, I will remember May 19th for Queen Anne...Thanks for the great lesson!
ReplyDeleteI didn't watch the Royal Wedding. I wasn't all that interested. Anne Boleyn's story is more interesting, although tragic.
ReplyDeletethis post is hilarious ahah! yes, I did watch the wedding simply because I just adore prince Harry.
ReplyDeleteI think I've heard of her before but I didn't know much until now. Her story is quite interesting and I would love to watch that movie.
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