10 May 1536 - The charges against Queen Anne Boleyn and the men
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- Опубликовано: 8 май 2019
- On this day in 1536, 10th May, the Grand Jury of Middlesex met to decide on whether Queen Anne Boleyn, George Boleyn, Sir Henry Norris, Sir Francis Weston, William Brereton and Mark Smeaton should be sent to trial.
The jury decided that there was enough evidence to try these people and then drew up the indictment.
In today's Fall of Anne Boleyn video, Claire Ridgway, author of "The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown", explains what happened and gives a summary of the charges laid against the queen and the five men.
Here is a link to the article mentioned by Claire, where you can read the indictment for yourself - www.theanneboleynfiles.com/10...
The speed by which this all happened is mindblowing. None of them stood a chance for a single second.
There's a reason her daughter never fully trusted men... TY, Claire.❤
Whew. This is so heartbreaking, I can't watch them without crying now. I feel so involved with the entire situation. Very visceral.
Thank you for this series.
My husband is watching me wearing headphones snotfaced crying and yelling at the computer screen lol!
I'm relieved to see someone else couldn't sit through that without crying!
Visceral.
Those charges! To think "learned, pious men" spat those words out in a place of worship to make sure an innocent woman was condemned to a traitor's death; as that was their verdict until Henry showed "mercy" with the French swordsman. (eyeroll) We're seemingly going backwards these days ...
I love Claire! I'm wondering if she's done a video on Thomas Cromwell's execution; or if she's gonna? @TheAnneBoleynFilesAndTudorSociety ?
Same here. Despite knowing the eventual outcome, somehow watching this series day by day has deeply affected me.
A part of me wonders if up until the very very end Anne was thinking Henry may at the last moment, appear and pardon her after teaching her a ‘lesson’
Poor woman.
I’m re-reading her biographies because of this series and it never ceases to strike me just how smart, talented and alive she was. She had an entire three decades to take on such interesting and unique, commanding nuances. I almost picture her having a deep belief because of her own personality, he’d come in and end it with his presence and pardon, seeing how much of her life and self she committed to him.
I agree, it must have been hard to believe he would abandon her so utterly and completely. And she saw how, even being so stymied by Catherine, he insisted on “only” divorcing her. Some part of her must have thought that she would be pardoned, especially if she admitted any culpability. A crowned queen hadn’t ever been thrown down like this before, so it must have been hard to grasp. He went from defying and breaking with the church to be with her to... sincerely wanting her out of the way and dead.
I agree about how intelligent it seems she was. It’s such a waste! Such a tragedy.
Amara Jordan Anne was his subject, Katherine of Aragon was a Princess of Spain. If Henry had Kathrine executed then Spain would have an excuse to attack. Executing Anne was easy in comparison. Jane died in childbirth before Henry could tire of her. Anne of Cleves was a German noblewoman and even she had to be smart enough to do whatever Henry said or else. Katherine Howard wasn't as intelligent as the rest of his wives, maybe because she was young. I don't think she or Anne are guilty of what they are charged with. Katherine Parr only lived because she was smart and Henry died first.
@@kittye8340 Agreed 1000000000%!!!😎
@@kittye8340 he murdered her so no one else could have her. The only women executed were the Boleyns and the related family the Howard’s . There is much more than first understood. The truth will come out
Anne didn’t stand a chance, poor woman. Or the men selected for sacrifice.
All those innocent people - may they all rest in peace. 😢 On a lighter note, love your kitchen! Very pretty! 🙋❤🌹😊
Thank you! It's not quite finished, but it's getting there.
Is it known how much of what was happening was shared with the general public? Were the citizens informed of the arrest and trial, or was it pretty hushed until the end? I can't imagine how awful that must have been for the accused and their loved ones. Tragic. Thank you for this day by day description. It's happening so fast!
There would have been gossip but I don't believe that there was a public announcement of any kind. Those close to the Tower would know when arrests had been made and people taken there.
I wonder how people reacted when they did find out. She wasn’t very beloved, despite wanting to put more money into helping the poorer subjects in the kingdom. I can just imagine those people all gossiping about the witch of a wife and the horrible and lurid things they imagined she had done.
I also wonder if accusations of this kind of thing increased after the trial. “It worked for the King, and I really hate my wife, soooo....” Kind of a copy cat thing. Witch fever caught in the colonies a few times. I just wonder if it had any impact on the impression people had of what a witch was, and how to spot one, that kind of thing.
As I’ve said before, Anne was constantly surrounded by her ladies from the time she woke up, till she went to bed. She was also monitor while sleeping. So tell me, besides the dates you brought up where the people in question weren’t even around to do said things, when would she have been “alone”, to do such acts with these men????? I’ve started your book, hope to dig in this weekend, thanks for a great vid lady Claire🇬🇧🥰🇬🇧🥰🇬🇧🥰🇬🇧
Yes, exactly! She would have been chaperoned all of the time and a ladies would have slept in the same room.
This account leading up to Anne Boleyn's death is getting heavier and heavier. Henry VIII could commit any kind of adultery (women as mistresses, taken up and cast aside) and never called to account. Henry VIII was the adulterer and plotter.
The hypocrisy is just astounding, I agree. But they were so protective of the line of succession, and any threat to it had to be eliminated. It’s interesting, because before society shifted into a patriarchal system, it wasn’t a huge deal who women slept with. In some civilizations, it was encouraged to not know who the father was because everyone had an equal stake in the kids and it was a village raising the children mentality. You’re less likely to only want to help “your people” and fight to have the best stuff for them if you feel you have a claim. Scarcity caused men to be more aggressive, to get the best females and to start to gain inherited wealth to give their families a leg up.
Once we centralized power, they added a lot of checks to ensure that power stayed in the right hands, and that’s when you start to see the rights of women go out the window. It was so important that women be pure and untouched and not ever have a chance to either commit adultery or to be raped, because of the need for a clear and pure bloodline.
To think that having sex with the queen was *treason* is just... I mean, it follows, I guess, but it’s still so... barbaric. I feel so bad for Anne. The closer she was to her goal, the closer she was to danger and her downfall.
Henry VIII as king was above the law, and as such he could do whatever he liked. Any opposition to Henry could be considered treason. So how could anyone have a meaningful relationship with Henry?
@@lilystonne4108 Men like Henry VIII, must be insanely in love with you. They must love you more than you love them.
So tragic. And she did so much in politics without even realizing, for the betterment of not just England. I wonder if she even had a chance NOT to marry Henry?
Poor Anne :( the part about her brother especially makes me so angry. At least we all know the truth today - Anne would have been pleased to know that. Also, I was wondering if anyone could offer their thoughts on this - was the real reason Anne was executed her failure to produce a male heir? Or was it much more complicated than that? We don't know Anne's age at the time of her death but if she was 35 she would have been at the tail-end of her fertility especially by the standards of the day, not that that excuses Henry's cruel treatment of her in any way of course.
Henry tore England apart to marry her, a felt a fool after 1 girl and miscarriages - all for nothing.
Given the number of years Anne spent with Henry before they were married, Anne was well aware of what he was capable of if someone crossed him. Armed with that knowledge, I really can't believe she would do anything to anger Henry and jeopardize herself and Elizabeth. BTW, congratulations on your new kitchen. Love it.
There must have been quite a reign of terror going on to make so many people so publicly endorse a lie. I wonder what Thomas More would have thought of his son-in-law.
Wouldn’t you say that much of Henry’s reign was a reign of terror? The man had 70,000+ people put to death at his own whim. If I’d lived back then I hope that I would have been able to stay quiet if questioned by Cromwell and others if I knew anything about the people he chose to humiliate and execute. However, with torture (supposedly banned for women, but look at Anne Askew!) and the horrific forms of execution for traitors being a very real possibility, if I couldn’t go into hiding or leave the country I might have cracked even as I know that I’d have done my best to remain silent.
@@monicacall7532 Yes, I would. But that term could be applied to most rulers throughout history. If a ruler kept order in his realm and ruled justly it is mentioned as something unusual. Power corrupts, as we all know. Keeping ones big mouth shut has a long and honorable history. "I don't recall" is a popular answer when being questioned under oath. Catherine Howard's downfall was started by a woman's casual remark to her brother.
Thank you again for such a great video. So heartbreaking. I just can't imagine how she felt.
I’m glad you mentioned the “condemned,” phrasing there. I highlighted that in the book because I thought it seemed a bit of a slip, being a little too free with the truth there, you know?
Also “bring up the bodies” sent a shiver through me. It’s as if they were already dead. And I suppose for all intents and purposes, they were. But... we generally use the term, “body,” for the.. physical form left behind after a person dies... before that, it’s their “person,” or something similar. Using that phrase might have been less weird in that age, but to me it just... was very chilling. It seems as the nails were being put into the coffin and each of these steps worked according to plan, they started getting freer with the truth of the thing, maybe due to less risk of big backlash if it didn’t work? It’s just so... so disturbing. We’re watching a state sanctioned coup, murders, unfold in a public setting.
I’m glad to know about the George book! He gets the short end of the stick a lot, presumed to be gay for no reason, and discussed less than even Mary, when it seems he was kind, sweet, and very able to do what the King asked of him.
So, so sad. Thanks for another great video. This series is so very interesting.
Like your new update kitchen. What a horrible time the Tudor period, poor Anne & innocent's.
2 o’clock and all’s well. Unless you’re Anne Boleyn. Thank you, Claire!
Thank you for these videos Claire!!! I love history and especially Tudor history. The details you give and your explanations really help to make sense of Tudor history. There is so much to learn.
I am startled by the nasty tone of the charges, especially the ones concerning Anne Boleyn and her brother. A legal document usually doesn't get that spiteful. Does anyone remember the movie "The War of the Roses"?
How could something so unjust with obvious discrepancies pass as being true? My conscience would not be able to endure that!
Thank you.
Has Anne, George, or any of the other men been pardoned by any monarchs since?
No, but that would be impossible as we don't have access to everything that was used in 1536. The best thing we can do is tell their stories.
Excellent question! Given RIII's recent "rehabilitation," perhaps a posthumous pardon for Anne et al is now possible.
Bravo Claire, I’m ordering my first book this weekend
Thank you!
Sad shocking... I wonder what they were all thinking...did they know by now they were doomed?
Poor George, Norris, Westen, Smeton and Breton as well as Anne never stood a chance. It’s a surprise that the other men Wyatt and Page managed to stay alive. Henry wanted what he wanted and that was that 😢
Anne was a pawn her entire life. Women in her station at that time were. Her life after involvement with Henry became an intricate chess match. Henry saw in her an escape from a tiresome marriage to a drudge whom he now regarded as a barren albatross around his neck. A fertile, vibrant replacement. Her failure to produce an heir to the Tudor Dynasty was her doom. I think if Anne had borne Henry healthy sons he would not have cast her aside, but it's all conjecture. Henry was desperate for sons...
Henry VIII has opened up my eyes COMPLETELY as far as dealing with narcissistic people.
Henry VII was really a piece of work to say the least.
10/10 For another interesting video Claire.
A question for you.
Was the French executioner sent for before Anne's trial.
They never stood a chance. He wanted her gone and would take down anybody he needed to, to achieve his goal of having her gone. Sickening.xx
I wonder if Henry was able to sleep properly.... after this poor woman he had set aside SO much for...was charged with so much..in my option.. ..rubbish....If it was me..I don't think I would ever have an easy conscience again 😑 Thanks for all your hard work Claire 😁
Such a sad miscarriage of justice. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Given what I've learned about Henry, who WOULDN'T want to kill him?? Thank you Claire
Pleased to hear that you pronounce my surname correctly - impressed!
🇭🇲🦘 Horrible and disgusting lies lies lies! You asked? So yes, I'm getting a much better idea of just how fast things were progressing.
Also the language used about Queen Anne's said guilt - when she hadn't even been tried yet. Already found guilty without a trial. Any trial now just for show. Truly horrendous times.
"Thank you" Claire 💓👑👍
4:16 "...and of the issue and heirs of the said King and Queen..." Can I ask which queen the indictment is referring to here? Was Anne accused of somehow committing acts "in contempt" of her own daughter - maybe by calling her legitimacy into question? That's all I can think of off the top of my head, since Catherine of Aragon hadn't been styled as queen for years, but it seems a little counterintuitive to call Anne "Queen" in the same breath as calling her a traitor. Then again, a lot about these proceedings was counterintuitive (not to mention counter to common sense!). Thanks for another great video.
Ahh, I'm sorry, never mind - I just realized that was probably referring to any potential heirs Anne might have had, since she would've been compromising their legitimacy/the legitimacy of the succession. Calling her queen still feels weird here but that makes much more sense!
By committing adultery she was harming the succession in that any child she had would be legally her husband's, but it might not be fathered by him.
Do I detect a note of sarcasm regarding the words selected for the indictment?
Tragic.
Justice was not a part of Tudor vocabulary.Doom was predetermined before the trial began.
So sad for all as they were innocent
I love the book following in Anne footsteps thank you for all you do
The one by Natalie and Sarah? Yes, a fabulous book.
This just shows you how powerful henry was.scary to think one mad man henry the 8th had the last say on peoples lifes 😪😪😪
Were can we purchase your Books!
On Amazon or the Book Depository. Thank you!
Good video, audio very very bad. Best to buy a mike.
Sufficient evidence.... Yeah right
SMH 🤦🏼♀️
Wow wha...
I always feel for these people this time of year. It's a bit of an obsession, but queens were never alone it is impossible for her to have managed this. Anne was doomed by evidence that is demonstrably false. Yet she went to her death with her head up and suffered all these days first. Can you imagine having your life ended while you were.alive?
Did anyone come forward defend these men and Queen Anne?
Poor Anne! How awful! Doom is bearing down on her stronger than ever.
Do think or can you speculate why he became so loathsome?
I speculate that maybe Henry the 8th had blood poisoning from the injury to his leg which may have caused mental health issues. His desperation to have a son may have caused xtreme and it seems that he did love the next wife the one that died in childbirth Jane Seymour but I don't think living with him was at all easy once he was no longer that young veral handsome kid who could do no wrong he became a selfish, , paranoid control freak. Pain from the infection which they were able to hold at bay with the leeches. As with any reason for possibe mental illness how do we know he also didn't have some form of syphilis eventually getying to his brain that's another idea.
It's more likely that he suffered a traumatic brain injury from his fall during the jousts then either a blood illness or syphilis. But, if you look at the births and deaths of royal male children - all the way back to Cecily Neville - Duchess of York - something is killing them at a very young age including Richmond and Edward VI.
And we also know that the sweat was only killing Englishmen.
I definitely haven't speculated that, as I don't believe that his jousting accident had anything to do with his behaviour, apart from being a reminder that he was mortal and that if he died there still wasn't a son to inherit the throne.
@@anneboleynfiles I'm sorry, I didn't think that my text posted, thank you for answering it, but I didn't mean to say that I thought you were saying this. I was asking you if you thought there was something that was causing him to be this way, and my new phone unfortunately is broken l O The text part is a nightmare I'm disabled and must use voice recognition, and then a stylus to try and fix words and grammar. Well, this thing does have a very interesting interpretations of my words. Thank you so much for answering , and I really like the other answer that the participant posted. That is definitely a serious option as to why he became such a loathsome person, very frightening person, at least you know where his daughters were coming from, but you didn't really know where he was coming from because he changed so much.
Love your daily post, again thanks for educating us on poor AB's life. To me she has gone from destroyer of the faith but truly in the end it was her work that provides the freedom we in the North America's & UK enjoy today.
It opened up society to question the omnipotence of their rulers & religious leaders. Now I see her as a courtier, raised up as an asset for her family & she gained the greatest prize in life, To be remembered.
Why not add she slept with all the men in court too... Poor Anne and the men too. They were all railroaded. Thank you, Claire!
Naahh Henry did like *some* of the nobles!
Henry was a butcher I hope he had a horrible death there is no way Queen Anne could or would have done this too smart I think that’s why she was put to death Henry was a very insecure and paranoid man
Well I feel sad for Anne and the men who perished with her oh, I have to wonder what Henry really thought - even if she was, falsely accused. He's publicly admitting that he was Bewitched and a cuckold. Certainly this is hard for any man to admit and we know how devastated he was when he found out Catherine Howard was cheating on him. So, was this all of this cromwell's machination? As we are led to believe in Anne of the Thousand Days?
I am of the opinion that Cromwell was responsible for the machinery, but that Henry was the one controlling it. I think he just wanted Anne's name blackened forever and at any cost, he'd bounce back, which he did. The indictments made her sound a monster, so Henry was an innocent victim of her.
The stakes were heightened because of him breaking with the church for her. For him to love her that much and then fall out of love with her, to people who would want to believe it, the idea she had bewitched him would be plausible. No one in their right mind would do what he did and then do a 180° that fast. He wanted to look in the right, having been wronged by someone, not at all culpable. What a scumbag.
I am so happy that princess Elizabeth became Queen. Ann won in the end.
Considering women were basically property, I'm shocked how much effort and thought was put into all this.
There was nothing stopping Henry from just snuffing Anne out in their bed chamber.
I think he wanted it to be public, and he wanted it to sting. He also wanted to look in the right and as if he’s the wronged party. He wanted a scapegoat. If she just suddenly died and he remarried quickly, he would have been under suspicion, and she wouldn’t have suffered.
@@SunflowerSpotlight Yes. As the malevolent narcissist that he was. They like to shine out bright & right for everyone too see. They see themselves in the good light not matter how horrid their own actions.