483 years today, on the afternoon of 7th September 1533, Henry VIII’s second wife, Queen Anne Boleyn, gave birth to a baby girl at the Palace of Placentia (Greenwich Palace).
Chronicler Edward Hall recorded the royal birth:
“The vii. day of September beyng Sondaie, betwene thre and foure of the Clocke at after noone, the Quene was delivered of a faire Lady […]”
He records that a Te Deum was sung and “great preparacion was made for the christenyng”, which would take place on 10th September. Although the baby wasn’t the longed-for prince, her safe arrival was still worth celebrating in style. The little girl was named Elizabeth and she would grow up to be Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen, Gloriana and Good Queen Bess, a monarch who would rule for over 44 years.
Happy birthday Good Queen Bess!
Across the palace Charles Brandon married Catherine Willoughby. I know it’s just a coincidence but trust Charles to find a way to draw attention away from the birth of a potential heir to the throne. Anne and Henry were not too disappointed with the sex of the child, they certainly came to dote on Elizabeth, Anne kept her at her side until she had to send the bsby to her own establishment. Henry and Anne visited Elizabeth of course on progress, she was shown proudly about the court, a carbon copy of Henry, even though he triex to deny her after Anne’s execution, she was lavished with the best education as Mary had been, there is more evidence that her parents loved and were proud of her, very little of disappointment. It was very sad that Elizabeth would lose her mother so young and so cruelly.. She was fortunate that his other wives showed enough interest for both her, Elizabeth and Mary to be brought back into their fathers life, also that Mary showed affection tpwards her, she could have been totally isolated otherwise.
That Henry and Anne came to dote on baby Elizabeth doesn’t conflict with the idea that they were greatly disappointed at her birth. Had she been the desired boy, it would be taken as a sign of G-d’s approval of their marriage (and of Henry’s supremacy), and it would be very difficult for their enemies to explain it away — Elizabeth’s birth means that they did not have proof of divine approval. After time, they may have realized that Anne’s first pregnancy — a healthy girl — was still better than Katherine of Aragon’s first — a miscarriage.
Henry said on speaking of the death of his own much loved mother that it was the worst day of his life, therefore I feel it was a pity that he never considered what it might do to his not quite three year old daughter to lose her mother also, and at such an age before she ever got to know her properly.
Just like to add today is my birthday, 21 again, and like Anne my mum also had a craving for apples when she was carrying me!
Happy birthday!
Thank you Esther.
Happy belated birthday.
A belated happy birthday to you, Christine, I hope you had a lovely day.
Thank you Claire, it was a quiet day but tonight I was treated to a lovely Italian meal and Saturday I’m having a party, I have one every year.
Thank you Banditqueen.