Was Anne Boleyn a wicked stepmother?

| June 18, 2019

Was Anne Boleyn a wicked stepmother?

In today’s instalment of my “Questions about Anne Boleyn” series, I consider the relationship between Anne Boleyn and her stepdaughter, Mary, daughter of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Anne Boleyn is often blamed for the ill-treatment Mary received in the 1530s, being painted as a wicked stepmother, so I look at how Mary […]

15 June 1536 – Mary is a traitress who would be punished as such

| June 15, 2019

15 June 1536 – Mary is a traitress who would be punished as such

On this day in Tudor history, 15th June 1536, Mary (the future Mary I), daughter of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, received an intimidating visit at her home at Hunsdon. The visit was from members of the king’s council, who had been sent by her father, the king, to persuade […]

26 May 1536 – Mary writes to Cromwell

| May 26, 2016

26 May 1536 – Mary writes to Cromwell

On 26th May 1536, exactly a week after the execution of her stepmother, Anne Boleyn, the Lady Mary wrote to Thomas Cromwell, her father’s right hand man, asking him to intercede with her father on her behalf and for permission to write to the king. Read more…

26 May 1536 – Mary asks for Cromwell’s help

| May 26, 2015

26 May 1536 – Mary asks for Cromwell’s help

On 26th May 1536, one week after her stepmother’s execution, Henry VIII’s daughter Mary wrote to Thomas Cromwell asking him to intercede with her father on her behalf. It appears that Mary held Anne Boleyn responsible for her ill-treatment and the breach in her relationship with her father, and is hopeful that Cromwell can help […]

26 May 1536 – The Lady Mary’s Letter to Cromwell

| May 26, 2013

26 May 1536 – The Lady Mary’s Letter to Cromwell

On 26th May 1536, a week after Anne Boleyn had been executed, Henry VIII’s eldest daughter, Mary, wrote to Thomas Cromwell from her household at Hunsdon. The purpose of her letter was to ask for Cromwell to intercede with her father on her behalf now that “that woman” was gone. The letter is damaged but […]

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