I wrote the very first post here on the Anne Boleyn Files on 17th February 2009. That was at the very beginning of my journey of research into Queen Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII and mother of Queen Elizabeth I, and I could never have predicted where it would lead.
A dream about being a member of the crowd at Anne Boleyn’s execution led to me asking Tim to set up this blog so I record record my research, and now, 12 years later, I have written several Tudor history books, I’ve written for magazines, I’ve spoken about the Boleyns at Hever Castle, I’ve co-led historical tours, I’ve chatted with wonderful historians, authors, experts and Tudor history lovers, and I spend my life immersed in Tudor history. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself.
It’s been an incredible journey, and I have much more planned. At the moment, I’m working on a book on Hever Castle with Dr Owen Emmerson and a course on the Tudor kings and queens for MedievalCourses.com, plus working on my videos for the Anne Boleyn Files and Tudor Society YouTube Channel, particpating in history projects, writing quizzes and doing talks for the Tudor Society, and sharing Boleyn information with you here – phew! Lots to keep me busy!
I wouldn’t be doing any of this without your support and I’ll be eternally grateful for that – thank you! I’m also grateful to the haters I’ve met on my journey because I’m a stubborn woman and if you tell me I can’t do something then I’m going to prove to you that I can! Take that!
One of the projects I really enjoyed was putting together my online course, The Life of Anne Boleyn, for MedievalCourses.com. I know some of you have already done it (I hope you enjoyed it!), but for those of you who are interested, you can save 25% off the course by using coupon code ABFBIRTHDAY between now and the end of Sunday 21st February 2021. You can find out all about the course at https://medievalcourses.com/overview/life-anne-boleyn-mc06/
Happy Birthday … and many more!
I discovered the Anne Boleyn Files about five years when I googled Anne Boleyn, and havn’t looked back since, it’s great fun reading posts from other readers and the competitions are great, Iv entered quite a few but was not lucky, however, I have learnt such a lot about Anne and her family and not only that but the people who she knew and the circles she moved in, her family and the homes she lived in, I would love to go on one of the tours but as yet cannot afford to, but hope springs eternal, but for now, from me and I am sure I speak for all of us when I say congratulations Claire and Tim to, for bringing us this truly wonderful website that gives us so much joy and pleasure well done!!
Congratulations Tim and Claire on the 12th Anniversary of the Anne Boleyn Files.
Not sure when I first started coming to the site but certainly it must be around 2012/3 as I sometimes come across my comments from the time. I think this is a really good resource and the number of sources that people can access through the site is excellent. Being able to comment is nothing new, but there is an ease about sharing here which is missing elsewhere that is lacking sometimes. There are even some blogs who don’t do comments. On one blog there was a woman who thought she owned the site and kept calling everyone who didn’t conform to her point of view a liar. The editor of the newspaper whose blog it was had to throw her out. At least there is nothing like that here and it’s a friendly place and we can discuss and disagree with sense. I feel quite at home here and have for a long time. It’s been a supportive place as well, especially when Steve was in a comma in 2015. You lot probably kept me sane and the messages just blew my mind. I can’t thank you enough.
Anyway you don’t want to hear me waffle on. Congratulations Claire and Tim. Have a very grand celebration and hope you are able to do something special soon together. Take care and Happy Birthday.
Thank you! I thought you’d been around for longer than that, BQ. I really don’t know. I’m so glad that the AB Files has been a home for you. I think true friendships have been made here. It’s lovely.
Gosh, I can’t remember when (or why) I first came across The Anne Boleyn Files, but it was after BQ because she was one of the early attractions. What you’ve done here, Claire & Tim, is create a community. It’s a great place to come and put your feet under the table, sip a cuppa and ramble away through Tudor fields and beyond. Congrats. Mere ‘thanks’ doesn’t cut it.
Thank you! I really appreciate your kind words. It’s been an amazing journey and I’m so grateful for the ongoing support.
It is rather like a community Globerose you are correct there, and I am sure it has brought a lot of comfort to many people during these difficult times.