Elliemarianna said

Sophie1536 said

Do you think the ordinary people of Tudor England would believe that Henry was REALLY going to execute a Queen of England?
I’ve often wondered if the public thought that Anne would be reprieved at the last moment?

Anne was the first Queen to be executed in England. Others had been accused of treason, adultery or witchcraft and got away with imprisonment or confiscation of property and title. It was unheard of that a Queen would suffer such a fate, but then to many she was not the ‘real’ queen anyway.

Exactly..though I think H7 may have tried it with Elizabeth Woodville if she didn’t have the “mother of murdered sons and your MIL” because there was no love lost there…

Anyanka said

Elliemarianna said

Sophie1536 said

Do you think the ordinary people of Tudor England would believe that Henry was REALLY going to execute a Queen of England?
I’ve often wondered if the public thought that Anne would be reprieved at the last moment?

Anne was the first Queen to be executed in England. Others had been accused of treason, adultery or witchcraft and got away with imprisonment or confiscation of property and title. It was unheard of that a Queen would suffer such a fate, but then to many she was not the ‘real’ queen anyway.

Exactly..though I think H7 may have tried it with Elizabeth Woodville if she didn’t have the “mother of murdered sons and your MIL” because there was no love lost there…

Joanna of Navarre was accused and convicted of witchcraft, and causing the death of her Husband Henry the 4th by witchcraft too. She was imprisoned Pevensey Castle in 1419 for about 4 years, after which Henry V I believe pardoned her and she lived the rest of her life in Nottingham Castle She died in 1437 and is buried next to Henry 4th in Canterbury Cathedral.
Jacquette of Luxembourg, Elizabeth Woodville’s mother was accused of witchcraft, and would have perhaps been burned at the stake if Edward the 4th hadn’t regained his throne from Henry 6th. Elizabeth Woodville was whispered about having dabbled in witchcraft but no evidence could be found to support this claim.
Anne B was accused of Witchcraft but even Henry with all his lies and half truths couldn’t make that stick, so it was really only in Henry’s mind that Anne was a witch…

Sophie1536 said

I’ve often wondered why Mary didn’t grant Jane Grey execution by the sword, surely she felt some pity for the young girl?

I think she wanted to make a painful example of her so people were too afraid to overthrow her.

Elliemarianna said

Sophie1536 said

I’ve often wondered why Mary didn’t grant Jane Grey execution by the sword, surely she felt some pity for the young girl?

I think she wanted to make a painful example of her so people were too afraid to overthrow her.

I think Mary choose the Axe for Jane basically to emphasis, that although she was half Spanish by blood she was English by birth, and so therefore a fellow Brit should be executed by the Axe. Jane was executed by Mary because Philip had refused to come to England and marry her if Jane was still around. Lots of people were against the Spanish marriage, because they felt that by Mary marrying a Spanard that England would become shackled to Spain forever, and they didn’t want that, so again by executing Jane with the dull English axe it’s was Mary’s way of saying that ain’t going to happen.
Although now the question has been brought up the same could be said of Mary QOS. Elizabeth could have sent to France to execute Mary I wonder why she didn’t? It would have made sence for Elizabeth to do that, but then perhaps that would have been seen as a threat to France if the Swordsman would have been sent for? After all when the Armada shipped out of Cadiz to come over and sort us out in revenge over Mary QOS death the French kept themselves right out of it. If Elizabeth had sent for the swordsman being that Mary was albeit breifly Queen of France they would have come out to get their revenge on England too. As it was it was only the weather that really screwed up the Armada’s grand plan. Yes we won, but it could have quite easily gone the other way…

The English method of beheading was by axe. The only reason Anne Boleyn was beheaded by sword was becasue she had largely been brought up in France. Presumably Henry arranged it with that in mind believeing it was an acknowledgement of her upbringing and her links to France. Whether it was arranged with irony or not, who knows? The point is that beheading by sword was not an English form of execution. There was no question of future executions being decapitation by sword, and it would never have occurred to Mary to even consider it.

Cromwell and Henry planning the death’s of Anne and the gentlemen:
“I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, Cromwell. I know none of them have been tried yet, but I’m thinking I will honor Anne’s love of everything French. (snort) Let’s send immediately for that swordsman of Calais to behead my lovely wife. It’s the least I can do. Yes, she will love me for that small favor, heh?”

I agree with you Louise. Henry had a sadistic streak and this would fit right in.

There are many opinions as to why the sword. I disagree that it was because Anne loved everything french. I think in order to kill the Queen of England without looking like a tyrant, it was decided that Anne would die in the most humane way possible, by sword. I think Henry was most concerned about how the world saw his actions. I don’t think he gave a thought to what Anne liked or didn’t like. As usual, it was all about him. He wanted to come out of this situation looking like the ‘wronged’ man, but ever the benevolent king. He probably did see the irony of it though.

Sharon said

There are many opinions as to why the sword. I disagree that it was because Anne loved everything french. I think in order to kill the Queen of England without looking like a tyrant, it was decided that Anne would die in the most humane way possible, by sword. I think Henry was most concerned about how the world saw his actions. I don’t think he gave a thought to what Anne liked or didn’t like. As usual, it was all about him. He wanted to come out of this situation looking like the ‘wronged’ man, but ever the benevolent king. He probably did see the irony of it though.

Actually Sharon think about it, I think you are right. El Stinky thought by executing Anne with the sword he thought was being seen across the world as a merciful monarch. When in reality he was seen for what he really was A Pillock.