Claire | April 30, 2020
On 30th April 1536, Queen Anne Boleyn had just 19 days to live and everything was moving quickly. On 30th April 1536, court musician Mark Smeaton was arrested and taken to the home of the king’s master secretary and right-hand man, Thomas Cromwell. What happened to the lowly Smeaton in those next hours, we don’t […]
Claire | April 30, 2019
On this day in 1536, 30th April, musician Mark Smeaton was arrested and taken to the home of Henry VIII’s right-hand man, Thomas Cromwell. What happened to him there over the next 24 hours is not known, but he ended up confessing to sleeping with Queen Anne Boleyn. Also, on this day, a theologian witnessed […]
Claire | April 30, 2016
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. Read more… On that same day, court musician […]
Claire | May 19, 2015
Something strange happened in the early hours of the day Queen Anne Boleyn was executed. While Anne prepared herself for death by praying and celebrating the Mass with her almoner, Scottish theologian Alexander Alesius (Ales) had a terrible vision or nightmare. Alesius was in London at the time and although he was aware of the […]
Claire | April 30, 2015
According to Alexander Alesius, the Scottish theologian, it was on 30th April 1536 that he witnessed Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn having some kind of argument. Years later, he gave an account of the event to Elizabeth I, who he describes as being in her mother’s arms while Anne tried to placate the king.* “Never […]
Claire | April 30, 2014
On 30th April, Scottish theologian Alexander Alesius witnessed an argument between Queen Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. He later wrote of this argument to the couple’s daughter, Elizabeth, during her reign: “Never shall I forget the sorrow which I felt when I saw the most serene queen, your most religious mother, carrying you, still a […]
Claire | April 30, 2013
Sunday 30th April 1536 was a key day in the fall of Anne Boleyn as it appears to be the day when the talking and meetings turned into action. Scottish theologian Alexander Alesius, in a letter written to Anne and Henry’s daughter, Elizabeth I, during her reign told of an argument between the King and […]
Claire | April 30, 2011
Breaking news just in from court. The Scottish Lutheran, Alexander Alesius (also known as Alexander Ales and Alexander Alane), who is at court to see Thomas Cromwell, has just told Sir Tim of a scene he witnessed between the King and Queen. Sir Tim recorded his account and I have transcribed it here:- “I saw […]
