THE FALL OF ANNE BOLEYN

Question 1

REASON 1 - JANE SEYMOUR

Answer 1

• Henry had supposedly fallen in love with Jane Seymour, ash she was sweet and homely, and obedient.

*Wanted to make her his wife after 1536, and found her personality better in contrast to Anne’s assertive and sharp personality, which he only liked as it was different to Catherine’s

Question 2

REASON 2 - ANNE BOLEYN HERSELF

Answer 2

• Anne Boleyn was unable to provide Henry with a male heir, and had 2 miscarriages (1534 and 29 Jan 1536), where the one in 1536 was supposedly due to “shock” of Henry’s famous jousting accident
• There was a rumour that Anne was cheating, so on 24 April 1536, Henry sent Cromwell to investigate. 5 were arrested (“guilty of sleeping with 100 men)
  - Mark Smeaton - 23 - Court musician
  - Sir Francis Weston - 25 - Member of Privy Chamber
  - Sir Henry Norris - 54 - Groom of the Stool
  - Sir William Brereton - 48 - Privy Chamber Member/Welsh March controller
  - George Boleyn - 32 - HER BROTHER FFS

Question 3

REASON 3 - THE SUCCESSION

Answer 3

• A Papal Bull had stated that anyone who wanted to take over England should feel free
• On January 24, 1536, Henry had a jousting accident where he fell from his horse and nearly died after being unconscious for 2 hours, making him view life differently
• He was 45 years old in 1536, which was the onset for old-age, so his desperation for a continued legacy increased

Question 4

REASON 4 - CROMWELL???

Answer 4

• Cromwell looked into Anne’s former relationship with Henry Percy, as there were rumours that they were “secretly married”, but no evidence was found.
• Cromwell took the lead role in building the adultery case against Anne, and PERSONALLY INTERROGATED SMEATON TO COAX HIS CONFESSION
• The 7 ladies-in-waiting for Anne in prison were secretly spies who reported all the information back to Cromwell, as he planted them there

                     HOWEVER

• His information was built on lots of court gossip, so it wasn’t exceedingly reliable
• It wouldn’t make sense that he deceived the King as the King is older, and has more maturity
• Cromwell and Anne had lots of areas of agreement, e.g their views were the same about having Protestant reforms take place

Question 5

ANNE’S EXECUTION

Answer 5

• The execution took place on 19 MAY, 1536 in Tower Green

                 AS A RESULT

• ELIZABETH DECLARED ILLEGITIMATE
• Cromwell survives
• HENRY IS FREE TO REMARRY - Because of Cromwell
• The Boleyn Faction reduces in importance
• Henry would get an heir to the throne, Edward VI, who was born on October 12, 1537
• HENRY BECOMES FEARED