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1:44 pm
May 16, 2011
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Do you think that despite the marriage ordeal and obvious religious that maybe Anne and Katherine of Aragon would've of liked each other and gotten along?
They both fought for what was right or what they wanted. They also wouldn't betray their daughters for their well being. Katherine didn't give up for Mary even though Henry threatend her over and over. Anne wouldn't give up, she fought till the end to make sure her daughter wasn't called a bastard, and even though in the end they weren't ultimately successful…they still fought her their kid. They also got really upset and jealous when Henry's eyes would wander. And they both went through the struggle of trying to get a healthy son. I think that they would make a firece team together.
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
11:56 am
January 9, 2010
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I'm not sure that Katherine an Anne would've got along, their religious differences keeping them in different camps if nothing else with Katherine being very conservative and traditional and Anne being more into reform. And Katherine being Spanish and Anne being pro-France wouldn't have helped either. Also i think that both women tended not to get along with people who disagreed with them – they were both extremely stubborn!
But after Anne had Elizabeth perhaps she could better understand Katherines' viewpoint about how a mother would do absolutely anything for her child.
1:01 pm
June 7, 2010
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Great points, Bella.
It seems KOA and Anne were from two different worlds. Katherine was more medieval; Anne was a child of the renaissance. These essential differences of ideology must have created barriers to any potential closeness. I imagine, while Anne was in the Queen's service, there was a level of congeniality to one another, but I cannot imagine a friendship developing. But, as Anne's star rose with Henry, her cordial relationship with Katherine began deteriorating, and she and Katherine became enemies.
Ironically, they were two intelligent, well-educated, passionate, religious, and dedicated woman. They shared some essential character traits. They could be difficult, manipulative, stubborn, while also being loving, compassionate, and kind. They were more alike than either would admit.
I hope Anne came to regret her treatment of KOA, especially when Anne became a mother and as her marriage was falling apart. There had to be moments when Anne looked at Elizabeth, and understood why KOA fought so tirelessly for Mary, her marriage, and her right to be Queen. It seems in the end, these two women's fates were sealed: to fight a losing battle against a powerful King, to birth girls who were meant to be Queens, and who turned out to be their mother's daughters.
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
1:14 pm
February 24, 2010
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I just had a flash of Henry getting to heaven, and in front of him, blocking his entrance stand Katherine and Anne each tapping a foot with their arms crossed, saying in unison, “Explain yourself!”
I have to agree with Bella. These two were miles apart in their beliefs. I think if one of them had gone to the other and tried to make peace, maybe they could have at least called a truce. I don't know whether a truce would have lasted though. Henry would always have been there between them.
2:27 pm
February 10, 2010
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9:06 pm
May 16, 2011
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I was looking at the similar character traits when i asked whether Anne & Katherine would've gotten along.
I understand how important their religious beliefs were so obviously that would always be there tearing them apart. I agree that Anne's treatment towards Mary and Katherine as mother & daughter was unfair and i hope when Anne had Elizabeth that she understood how strong that bond was. They both, in the end, wouldn't give up on their daughters just because Henry wanted rid of them for a new woman. Although they probably wouldn't of been the best of friends in reality, i think they share a bond as mothers who loved and fought for their daughters.
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
12:09 pm
January 9, 2010
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I agree Mya-Elise. There are a lot of similarities between them personality-wise. Both were strong, opinionated, intelligent and proud women who would do anything for their daughters. Probably those very traits that would've kept them from getting on with each other. In a lot of ways they were too similar! 
11:47 pm
May 19, 2011
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I don't believe for one second that Anne is to blame for the treatment of Katheryn. I also believe that underneath all that dignity was a very manipulative and spiteful woman. Whenever I have pity for Katheryn of Aragon I remind myself of her gloating over the dead body of James IV- Margaret's (Katheryn's friend and H8's sister) husband and that pity fades right away. Katheryn got what she deserved.
Anne Boleyn was a very honest woman, I think she and Katheryn could never be friends as Katheryn lacked that honesty. She would happily (and did) pretend friendship and pity to Margaret after the death of her husband. Anne would never do that- if she disliked you you would know exactly where you stood. Dispite her birth, Anne was the better woman and Katheryn knew it.
"A fresh young damsel, who could trip and go"
8:10 am
April 11, 2011
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I'm sorry, but no way can I agree that KOA got what she deserved, or indeed that she knew Anne was the better woman. KOA was born and raised as a princess, with a strong personal piety and with deep religious observations, which included doing extensive work for the relief of the poor. Not exactly the actions of a manipulative and spiteful woman. Of course she was going to resist a divorce that she knew to be wrong with regard to her religious beliefs, which would also sideline her daughter from her true inheritance, what mother would not fight against that? I am a strong supporter of Anne, but I believe KOA was a victim of both Henry and Anne in all of this matter. Anne got what she wanted and in so doing knew what the implications for KOA and Mary would be. KOA was a woman of her time and expected to be treated as befitting someone of her noble birth and status. She fought hard for what she believed to be her right to remain Queen and for the future rights of her daughter, I think it unfair to say she got what she deserved, after all we would all be up in arms if anybody suggested that about Anne for the way in which she secured the crown. Above all they were both women that stayed true to themselves and, in my opinion, deserve equal respect.
9:49 am
December 5, 2009
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The Catherine v Anne brigade has got so out of hand that Claire posted a spoof of them, and Jane Seymour, having a fight. In truth Catherine and Anne went to Hell and back for their positions, their beliefs, their reputations, but more importantly for their daughters futures. The stakes were enormous in an age when the monarchy had absolute power. To reduce that incredible drama, created by two such remarkable women, to nothing more than a twenty-first century cat fight, seems to me to be a dreadful insult to the memories of both of these women.
11:13 am
May 16, 2011
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I don't really think Katherine and Mary deserved what they got, despite however Katherine acted before.
Mary was a innocent little girl (at the time) and Katherine was a good Queen and wife for many years. She looked away whenever Henry had his flings and she had no reason to suspect Henry would want to leave her for one woman all of a sudden because Henry had ended every other relationship he'd been in. She was kind of blindsided in this situation and for Mary to be pulled into the drama too was wrong. I really don't think it was right to keep mother & daughter separated for years just because Henry didn't get his way, and i think Anne would of realized this when she was separated from her daughter and not allowed to see her again like with Katherine and Mary. Anne probably realized alot of things when her daughter was born and when everything Henry and her had done to Katherine was turned on her and done to her. Except, of course, Anne got it 10 times worse because her name was slandered and she lost her head. I just really blame everything that happened with these wives on Henry. He did and he should be ashamed.
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
5:14 pm
May 19, 2011
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Neil Kemp said:
I’m sorry, but no way can I agree that KOA got what she deserved, or indeed that she knew Anne was the better woman. KOA was born and raised as a princess, with a strong personal piety and with deep religious observations, which included doing extensive work for the relief of the poor. Not exactly the actions of a manipulative and spiteful woman. Of course she was going to resist a divorce that she knew to be wrong with regard to her religious beliefs, which would also sideline her daughter from her true inheritance, what mother would not fight against that? I am a strong supporter of Anne, but I believe KOA was a victim of both Henry and Anne in all of this matter. Anne got what she wanted and in so doing knew what the implications for KOA and Mary would be. KOA was a woman of her time and expected to be treated as befitting someone of her noble birth and status. She fought hard for what she believed to be her right to remain Queen and for the future rights of her daughter, I think it unfair to say she got what she deserved, after all we would all be up in arms if anybody suggested that about Anne for the way in which she secured the crown. Above all they were both women that stayed true to themselves and, in my opinion, deserve equal respect.
I'm not asking anyone to agree, just putting forth my opinion.
"A fresh young damsel, who could trip and go"
