Free Report
We have replaced our Free Report on the fall of Anne Boleyn with an Anne Boleyn Files Welcome Pack which includes:-
- FREE 12 page report “The Fall of Anne Boleyn – The Most Happy”
- Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII Booklist – THE best books on Anne and Henry, the ones I use on a regular basis
- Primary Source list – A huge list of contemporary sources, with links, regarding Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Just perfect for your research.
Free Report
The Fall of Anne Boleyn is a fascinating story – one of passion, conspiracy, lies, injustice and bloodshed – and now you can read more about it, and my own opinions on it, in my FREE 12 page report - “The Fall of Anne Boleyn – The Most Happy”.
In “The Fall of Anne Boleyn”, I use the opinions of well-known historians and historical evidence to examine what caused Anne Boleyn to fall from grace. I examine Thomas Cromwell’s motives, explore whether Henry himself was involved in the conspiracy, look at what Anne’s own role was in her downfall and give details of the key events that led up to the execution of Anne Boleyn.
Why did Cromwell have to get rid of Anne? Did Henry know that she was innocent? Had Henry fallen out of love with Anne? Who else was involved in the conspiracy? Why did she have to be executed? Why did Anne not speak out at her execution? – These are all questions I pose and attempt to answer.
I really hope that you enjoy this report as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Anne Boleyn Book List
You could fill your bookcase with books on Anne Boleyn, the Six Wives and Henry VIII, but which ones are the best?
I spend every day researching Anne Boleyn’s life and Tudor history so I can recommend the very best books for you. This book list will prevent you from spending money on books which just don’t help. Let me be your guide through the history section of your bookstore.
Primary Sources
Books by historians are great but there is now a vast collection of primary sources, i.e. chronicles and letters written in the 16th century, available online. I have put together a list of them and given URL links so you can browse them from the comfort of your armchair. Just don’t blame me when you spend a whole day lost in the 16th century!
Hello Claire.
I’ve just got back onto Broadband after a gap of nearly a week and I spotted your report, which I have now read.
I accept that Cromwell orchestrated the plot against Anne. In fact there is ample evidence to support this: namely his own boasts to Chapuys that he did so. But I can’t agree that that means it is ‘widely acknowledged’ that he was responsible for the downfall of Anne rather than Henry. I know Weir argues this, but I would be interested to know what you believe, because Ives certainly doesn’t hold Henry as being completely blameless.
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Hi Louise,
I really must update that report as I actually wrote it a year ago so my views have kind of changed and moved on as I’ve read and researched more. Yes, Weir does count Henry as an innocent victim but I can’t see that myself as I don’t think Cromwell would dare move against Anne without Henry’s say-so, he’d be risking his life in moving against the Queen in that way.
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Susannah Reply:
June 29th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
I agree
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Thank you very much for the free report Claire.
I’m sure I will enjoy reading it!
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Hi Berta,
I hope you enjoy it too! Thanks! x
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Claire,
When we were all talking the other day about the fiction vs historical novels, I was in the middle of one you’d probably get a kick out of. It’s titled “Portrait of an Unknown Woman” by Vanora Bennett, and really takes off on a fictional account of the More household!
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My maternal side points to possibly decending from Mary Carey. So this is my question. If we are, then would my sons DNA show relation to Henry the 8th if Mary Boleyns son really was his and maybe not William Careys. Does anyone know?
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The report was really good. Cromwell wasn’t a nice man and there is no evidence that Anne did anything wrong. She was a good girl, She would obey the King’s orders whenever, Even when he would put her to death.
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I have just read the free report that is issued when you subscribe to the Anne Boleyn Files, and I have to say that it is truly excellent. I have never read anything before that so truly echoes my sentiments about this part of history. It was a pleasure and a joy to read this report; it was really well paced and well written. Thank you for producing such an excellent and informative report.
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Susannah Reply:
June 29th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
The only important thing that I believe separate from the report is that Henry was not blameless in the fall of Anne Boleyn. However, I do believe that it was most cunningly orchestrated by Cromwell, and the result was the eradication of the key members of the Boleyn Faction.
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The Tudors, the Tudors, I love the Tudors but am a little upset. Why doesn’t someone make a movie or mini series about the Tudors starting with Henry the VII? After all he did start the Tudor line, right? I would really love to see a mini series about the Tudors beginning with Henry the VII on through to Elizabeth I, then it could be called The Tudors!
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Thank you so very, very much, Claire! I can’t wait! You are such a wonder, and I am sure that it will be more than well worth the wait! Thank you, again! WilesWales
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I don,t know if any one knows that sir Henry’s grandson or great grandson was the first
of his line to be born in the americas by way of MARY NORRIS ALLERTON although he
died in the harbour at plymouth mass.in 1620. Mary herself died in 1621 from the hard-
ships of the time. Fully half of those who landed in 1620 died the firs winter.
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