About
This blog is written and managed by Claire Ridgway, a full-time freelance writer, closet history lover, armchair historian and champion of the underdog, from England – land of the Tudors, Shakespeare, green fields and yummy fish and chips. I now live in sunny Spain near the historic Alhambra.
I wanted to share my journey into the annals of history with other people who have an interest in Anne Boleyn and the Tudor period and thought that a blog would be the perfect forum.
LISTEN TO AN INTERVIEW WITH CLAIRE RIDGWAY
I fully admit to being addicted to Anne Boleyn and Tudor history and I am on a crusade to debunk the myths surrounding Anne Boleyn and educate the world about the REAL Anne Boleyn. I hope you’ll join me on this journey.
Please contact me if you:-
- have any questions about Anne or the Tudors and can’t find the answers here
- would like to submit an article about Anne Boleyn or the Tudors
- would like me to write an article for you
- would like me to review your book
You are, of course, free to comment on any blog posts.
Thanks for visiting TheAnneBoleynFiles.com!
Claire Ridgway
“The Most Happy Ever”
Contact Details:-
You can contact me via email – claire@theanneboleynfiles.com or by post at:-
The Anne Boleyn Files
Calle Sargento Galera 3
04887 Lucar
Almeria
Spain
The jewellers who make our beautiful Anne Boleyn and Tudor jewellery are based in the UK and the US, and ship worldwide.
What a wonderful site, Claire. Truly a labour of love. As we all know, history is written by the victors, and just as Richard III was painted darkly by the Tudors, I’m pretty sure Anne Boleyn was as well.
I’ll be visiting often to explore.
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Thanks, Jane, it is a labour of love and actually keeps me sane because I love writng about history. History is one of those things that we can argue about and have opinions about, but most of the time we don’t actually know the real answer, what REALLY happened.
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What an interesting site you have, congratulations. Although I have to say that I prefer Catherine of Aragon, Anne was certainly a fascinating, elegant, very intelligent and brave woman, and I love learning about this period, so foundational for England and Europe. Thank you for your work on this topic, it must be very difficult as most accounts of Anne are probably distorted one way or another.
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Thank you for your kind words, “Matterhorn”!
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I’ve been fascinated with Anne for years…nice piece of work this.
ciao
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I love your site! I have become completely obsessed with Anne and the rest of the Tudors after reading “The Other Boleyn Girl.” I moved onto watching “The Tudors”, which I absolutely love also and think that Natalie Dormer plays the character of Anne remarkably! I was just very upset they didn’t elaborate more on Mary Boleyn and her story, but I guess there was not enough time for that. I enjoy reading the forums on this site and also finding books that I can read for a more historically accurate depiction of Anne and the Tudors!
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I can’t tell you enough how much I LOVE this site.
I have had a crazy love for Anne Boleyn since I was 11 and more recently a deep interest in her sister Mary.
If you are just told their story and left out the names, it’s the most dramatic,amazing,tragic and engrossing story!
Can it even be true!?
The fact that it is indeed, then holds quite some power!
This site is very educational and yet so FRIENDLY!
Which I can not say for many other forums that seem to be filled to the choke point with academic snobbery. For as much as those people think themselves better, it’s really quite sad.
SO I’m quite thankful to find this place and I’m certain I’m not alone in that thought!
I truly think if you make education meaningful,interesting and even fun it really can inspire both children and adults to change their lives in many ways.
Keep up the GREAT work!
All the best,
Nicole-Elizabeth
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Hi Nicole-Elizabeth,
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and I’m so pleased that you love the site. I hate academic snobbery too and people definitely don’t learn anything when they are made to feel uncomfortable or feel that they cannot contribute. Everyone is welcome here and we can all learn from each other – nobody knows everything!
You’ve made my day (probably also my week, month and year!) with your comment, so thank you x
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No problem!
I was simply stating the truth.
I worked in a summer school program and some of the kids started reading “Innocent Traitor” By Alison Weir
And of course the critics are always first to spurt some nonsense about “dramatic license”, in my eyes that is what makes it great.
After they finished reading the book many of the kids wanted to learn more about Jane Grey and The Tudors.
I just think things like this are great, it opens new doors for many of us and brings history alive and keeps it alive(where in my eyes it should be!).
Take Care,
Nicole-Elizabeth
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I just stumbled across this website by accident, and I am so glad I did – it looks amazing! I am obsessed with all things Tudor – particularly Anne Boleyn – and I can’t wait to explore your site; it looks terrific. Thank you!
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Hi Claire,
Can you please tell me what font was used for the headings in the free Anne Boleyn booklet>
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Hi Hayley,
The name Anne Boleyn is written in a font called “Scriptina” and the other words are written in in “Segoe Script”. Hope that helps!
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Hi Claire! I just wanted to thank you for creating such an interesting website. I am currently a high school student, and Anne Boleyn has been my heroine for years. I am always reading, and from the time I read The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell when I was twelve, I was obsessed. Now I am hooked on watching The Tudors and read anything I can get my hands on about this fascinating era in history. Because of my great love of history (especially Anne and the Tudors), I have decided to make it my college major and life’s work. I am so glad to have found a site full of people like me! Thanks so much!
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Claire:
I have been a big fan of the Tudor period for many years. I read all the books about the period I can get my hands on- biographies and novels. I saw the article about your web site in USA Today, and immediately went on it! What a wonderful web site it is! I find myself going on it almost every day. Keep up the good work! The research and time you have put into it is very much appreciated.
P.S. I have just finished re-reading “Queen of This Realm” by Jean Plaidy. One of my favorite Tudor books-I highly recommend to other readers interested in the Tudors.
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Hi, Claire:
I just discovered this site a couple of weeks ago, and I think it is terrific! I ‘m really impressed with how you have incorporated so may different aspects of Anne Boleyn’s life here…this site really has everything. I’m a huge fan of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and I’m also happy to see that you have fantastic articles about people whose names don’t automatically come to mind. Thank you so much!
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Hi Claire
Like many others, have just discovered this site. Fantastic and informative for Tudor junkies like myself. I hope to visit it often. I’m reading Alison Weir’s new book The Lady in The Tower at the moment. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.
I was interested to read your review on G W Bernard’s controversial new book about Anne. Very balanced review – thank you.
Congratulations on a wonderful website.
Greetings from Ireland!!!
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Hi,
I think this website is so cool! I’ve been interested in Anne for years ever since I read a brief mention of her in my middle school textbook. Now I’ve done my senior thesis on her, a speech, and I even dressed up as her for Halloween (complete with Boleyn peal necklace that I made myself)
I kind of thought I was the only one who was so passionate about her. I get a lot of weird looks, especially when I talk about The Other Boleyn Girl and how inaccurate it is.
I’ve always found Anne to be a great woman who has earned respect from history, respect which is not always given. People can call her the other woman, but you have to admit that she was way ahead of her time. She was intelligent and honorable, and it’s unfortunate that people don’t always see that.
Not only that, but she was the mother of one of England’s greatest monarchs. Elizabeth I mirrored much of Anne when it came to her intelligence and interest in the arts.
One day I’d like to go to England and visit Hever Castle and Hampton Court and see Anne Boleyn’s grave in St. Peter Ad Vincula’s chapel. I don’t know how close I would get to her tomb, but it would still be cool just to be near it.
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Hi Jessica,
I went with Claire this past May on the Anne Boleyn Experience. Please try to go if you can. It was lovely. Hever Castle is so beautiful. When I went up the staircase to Anne’s bedroom, I touched the walls (knowing she must have touched them a thousand times). And at St. Peter Ad Vincula’s chapel I did the same thing, touched her sad gravesite tile on the floor. Chills ran down my spine. Claire is a wonderful person and lovely guide. We had 5 days of nothing but Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII ! The first night we ate in Anne’s actual dining room of the castle. It was surreal. Henry VIII’s huge gold lock was there on one of the doors. Imagine how many times he touched that! And a tapestry of his was mounted right over the huge fireplace. So impressive. If I didn’t have my photos of the trip, I wouldn’t believe that I actually went. It was a dream come true. I can’t say enough about the tour. It is the best thing I ever did for myself!
Warm regards,
Carol Stevenson
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You are an inspiration to us all. I have loved looking through your site and impressed by your dedication and hard work. You have really brought the Tudor world to life for me. Thank you and keep up the good work!
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Thank you thank you thank you!
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Just found this website while looking for a few quotes of Anne’s. I first fell in love with Tudor history after reading Anne Somerset’s Elizabeth I. I have reread it so many times I have to purchase a new copy as all the pages are starting to fall out. While I first fell in love with Elizabeth, I now devour any book or article I can find on the Tudor’s and when I can’t find one I just reread my old books, which is why I am so glad I found this forum so I can give my books a break. I have finally found a group of people who are clearly as passionate and dedicated about Tudor history as I am and I look forward to commenting on some of the things you have written.
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Thank you for all the kind comments, it’s so heartwarming to know that people enjoy using this site.
Welcome to the Anne Boleyn Files, Justin, I’m glad that you found us. My copy of the Anne Somerset book fits that description too!
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Hi!
This is a wonderful website with really interesting articles. I came across the site recently, having just discovered that my family on my mum’s side is related to Anne Boleyn and her family (going a long way back). I thought this was incredible since I have always took a keen interest in Anne Boleyn since I was a child, and I remember one of my junior school teachers commenting that I reminded her of the Holbein portrait of Anne……. and all this was years before I found out that I was related to her!
With best wishes
Sarah (Cumbria, UK)
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I absolutely had to post on this site. This has got to be the most wonderful, informative and creative site I’ve checked out in a long long time. Claire, thank you so very much for being so interested in history to give us this. Anne B. was a woman before her time hence why I think a lot of us can and do relate to her so much. I just wanted to thank you for giving us a place to go and read, enjoy, think and maybe do some shopping! Thank you Claire.
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Claire Reply:
November 15th, 2010 at 5:11 am
Hi Suzanne,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment and give your feedback, I really appreciate it. I love running this site and it is really heartwarming to hear how much people enjoy using it. Thank you x
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I really love your site! I read it often!
Keep up the great work!
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We know that after her coronation, Elizabeth I never again set foot in the Tower of London; but is there any evidence that during her imprisonment or during her stay prior to her coronation that she visited her mother’s final resting place? I can’t imagine that she would not, if she could possibly do so in secret, however; I have no doubt she would not want it widely known she honored her mother by visiting her grave.
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I was so happy to find this! I am totally obsessed with Anne Boleyn and Tudor history. So glad I am not the only one! I am fascinated and always searching for more informaton
Thanks!
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Hi Claire, you probably get this a lot but the Anne Boleyn files is truly the best historical site i’ve ever seen (and I have seen a lot of them).
Your articles are funny, clever and contains relevant facts.
Your BIGGEST fan
// Bess
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Claire Reply:
April 3rd, 2011 at 5:24 am
Hi Bess,
Thank you so much, it really is heartwarming to hear that people love the site and find it useful. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. x
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Bess Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 12:17 am
I was only stating the facts Claire
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Claire,
Thank you for your blog! I look forward to visiting often!
I am so glad I found your website !I have just recently gotten intriqued by the Tudors after watching Elizabeth R and now I am watching The Tudors. As I watch these fun movies I hop on my internet and start to dig to find validity in anything! This past Friday I watched with anticipation and excitement as the Prince William married the lovely Kate Middleton. I don’t even live in England! I am an American, but I love history, especially since most of us originate from somewhere’s over seas!
~Erin~
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I’ve only just discovered this site today thru another that I found accidently n so far I love it. I too hav felt a strange “connection” to Anne since about age 12 then oneof my cousins mentioned we r related to her tho I’ve yet to get that far back in my 20yr on/off family history research. Anyway in the meantime I’ve got my 20odd books on “the family” from Edward 3rd down but The Tudors r my favourite. I look coward to exploring ur site more. Love from Australia xx
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CLAIRES, I was so happy to find Anne Boylen Files,I came upone this as I was searching for a new gown.I signed up and can’t wait to get my e-mails, as not many people no that much about her unless you study English Histroy,I learn more new things evey time a mail comes in. All of your Items are so Lovely, I as you no go to Ren Fair every year in full costume. I will say if your going to start going to Ren Fair this is the site to go to.
i f one desides to have a gown made I highly recomend they have one made by you I no I am.I have many gowns and yours are just LOVLEY! Also I trulely recomend the Penndent Rings ect. I have the Catherine Howard hand painted pendent and have just orderd the matching ring also have some of the Jane Seymours jewleryand I’m looking forward to another gown for next year. Sincerley Barones Von Reis.
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Claire, My Ring was stunning as well as the pendent of Cathrine Howard,sad she died so young .I can olny praise your work and it is truely Art,these are highly collectable and one should try to start there own you won,t regreat .Please thank all off your staff for the wonderful care that goes in to each and everything. I so look to see the Heart Of The Ocean in my collection. Kind Regards Baroness Von Reis.
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