Claire | May 2, 2018
On this day in history, Tuesday 2nd May, Queen Anne Boleyn was informed that the king’s council required her presence in the council chamber of Greenwich Palace. When she got there, the council informed her that she was being accused of having sexual relations with three men: Mark Smeaton, Sir Henry Norris and an unnamed […]
Claire | May 2, 2016
On the morning of Tuesday 2nd May 1536, Sir Henry Norris was escorted to the Tower of London. He had been interrogated the previous day by the King himself and George Constantine, one of Norris’s servants, wrote of how the King “promised him his pardon in case he would utter the truth” but that “Mr. […]
Claire | May 2, 2015
It appears that Anne Boleyn was watching a game of real tennis on 2nd May when a messenger arrived telling her that the King had ordered her to present herself to his privy council. Anne Boleyn left the tennis match and presented herself in the council chamber in front of a royal commission consisting of […]
Claire | May 2, 2014
It appears that Anne Boleyn was watching a game of real tennis on 2nd May when a messenger arrived telling her that the King had ordered her to present herself to his privy council. Anne Boleyn left the tennis match and presented herself in the council chamber in front of a royal commission. She was […]
Claire | May 2, 2013
At dawn on 2nd May 1536, Sir Henry Norris, Henry VIII’s Groom of the Stool and great friend, was taken to the Tower of London. He had been held at York Place overnight after being interrogated by the King, but “would confess nothing to the King.”1 Mark Smeaton had also been taken to the Tower, […]
Claire | May 2, 2012
The 2nd May 1536, the day after the May Day celebrations, saw more people going to the Tower of London, including Queen Anne Boleyn herself. Find out all about her arrest at 2nd May 1536 – To the Tower Can you imagine the gossip spreading like wildfire at the English court?!
Claire | May 3, 2011
These are dark times and it feels like there is a dark cloud hanging permanently over London at the moment. The Queen, Mark Smeaton, Henry Norris and Lord Rochford are all still in the Tower and there are rumours that there will be further arrests. Like many at court, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer is shocked at […]
Claire | May 2, 2011
Today is a sad day at The Anne Boleyn Files. Our roving reporter, Sir Tim Ridgway, has heard four pieces of bad news at court today:- Henry Norris, Groom of the Stool and Chief Gentleman of the Privy Chamber, has been taken to the Tower of London. Mark Smeaton, Court Musician, has been racked and […]
