On Sunday 30th April 1536, according to Alexander Alesius, the Scottish theologian who was visiting the English court at Greenwich Palace, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn had an argument. He couldn’t hear what it was about but it was clear to him that the King was angry.
On that same day, court musician Mark Smeaton was arrested and taken to Thomas Cromwell’s house in Stepney to be interrogated. Within 24 hours he had confessed to having sex with the Queen on three separate occasions.
Henry VIII and Queen Anne had been due to leave for a trip to Calais after the May Day celebrations, but at 11pm on 30th April this trip was cancelled and arrangements were made for the King to travel alone a week later. Hmmmm…
What was the reaction of international circle after anne boleyns execution..e.g holy roman emperor, french king.Is there any documented proof about??
Here are some excerpts from by book The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown about the reaction:
“Etienne Dolet, the French scholar, printer, and Reformer, published an epigram, “Reginae Utopiae falso adulterii crimine damnatae, et capite mulctatae Epitaphium” (“Queen of Utopia condemned on a false charge of adultery, and deprived of an epitaph”). He knew of Anne through his friend, Nicholas Bourbon, a French Reformer, poet and scholar, who had been rescued by Anne in 1534 after he had got into trouble in France for his work, “Nugae”.”
“The imperial ambassador, Eustace Chapuys, in reporting the trials to Charles V, wrote that the men “were condemned upon presumption and certain indications, without valid proof or confession”, that George Boleyn was charged “by presumption” and that “those present wagered 10 to 1 that he would be acquitted, especially as no witnesses were produced against either him or her”. He also reported that “there are some who murmur at the mode of procedure against her and the others”. Therefore, there were definitely those who thought that Anne and the men were framed due to the King’s relationship with Jane Seymour.”
“Mary of Hungary, Emperor Charles V’s sister, who knew Anne Boleyn from their time together at the court of Margaret of Austria, wrote that “ As none but the organist confessed, nor herself either, people think he invented this device to get rid of her” and added, insightfully, that “when he is tired of this one he will find some occasion of getting rid of her.” So she too was cynical and thought that Anne’s condemnation was more to do with the King wanting rid of her than any actual guilt.”
I hope that helps.
Thank you so much Claire, sth like the rising of “public opinion”.
We can guess that not only royals, but common people were aware of this fact (i.e. false charges).
Save Etienne Dolet’s special case (as in favour of the “new ideas”, it was a common gossip at the french court – I mean the opinion of Mary of Habsburg, once queen of Hungary (of whom I’d rather think she was expressing Henry VIII’s cynism and not hers, but I might be wrong).
Your specifications, like your answers, are always very interesting !
Sorry, meant “like your articles” rather!
Whatever the cause of the quarral, Anne was desperate at this time and hoped that by taking Elizabeth with her that she could persuade Henry to believe her and to give their marriage one more try. How sad that he just went away and that he was so angry that he could not even listen to her or show affection to his daughter. If Henry really had heard that Anne was having an affair with Norris and that the conversation had taken place; his anger would have been really bad. He was not in any mood to listen. I find this scene though very touching; this description of Anne with her little daughter in her arms; it is very moving.