16 May 1536 - Queen Anne Boleyn is in hope of life
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- Опубликовано: 14 май 2019
- On this day in 1536, the condemned Queen Anne Boleyn's spirits seemed to have lifted and she was hoping for mercy.
Why? What could have made her so hopeful?
Claire Ridgway, author of "The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown", looks at what happened to Anne on this day and also talks about the five men, who were preparing for their executions.
You just wish that you could visit each of them for a minute and reassure them that their voices would resonate through history and that the truth would be told.
That is such a kind and heartfelt thing to say! I couldn't agree more! My heart goes out to each and every one of those poor men and to the poor Queen as well! It's so sad, so heartbreaking!💔💔💔💔
Yes!
"They were real people"...it brings it all home when I hear those words and remind myself...this is what they went through...it really happened. How scared they must have been...
Thank you for reminding us that these are real people with real fears and worries. It’s stunning the speed and injustice of Anne’s execution and everyone who was taken down with her. 😢
I'm a therapist and have seen many people who hoped for continued life when given terrible news regarding their health, and other such situations. I think that no matter what is said, that people always cling to hope. They may be resigned to the outcome, but there is a tiny piece of hope somewhere which still burns brightly. It doesn't surprise me that Anne Boleyn hoped for life. Also, if she were the author of that letter found in Cromwell's possession, then she may yet have hoped that Henry VIII would have read it and found some pity for her. However, he had changed his loyalty towards Jane Seymour, so there was no pity for Anne Boleyn. We can still see this trait in people's behavior today, as a change of loyalty means that a person who formerly loved one person, can treat them terribly later on. Henry VIII often treated others with anger, contempt, and violence when they said "no" to him, or when he felt thwarted by them (even if the issue was not the fault of the person). That's a narcissist for you. Say "no" at your peril.
One of the many reasons(and I do mean many) reasons I love your podcasts so much is that you bring home the humanity of these historical characters. They were, at the bottom of it, people. A month prior they were going about their lives as queens, high ranking officials or court musicians and suddenly, boom, it was all taken away & they were facing death.
In that light it's understandable that AB might hold out the tiniest trickle of life that her life might be spared or her brother might feel regret for debts unpaid or otherwise. Of course we'll never really know because (hopefully) we'll never have to face what they faced.
Gracious how I babble on. Thank you again Claire. You're the best.
I meant HOPE that her life might be spared.
I've been fascinated with Queen Anne all my life but I had never felt sad or sorry for her until this series... now I want to reach into history and save her. She should be posthumously exonerated!
Unfortunately, given the length of time since her death and the loss of records, it's impossible to unequivocally prove her innocence in the 21st century. The best we could hope for is a pardon, which implies she did something wrong. Plus, what about the others who were executed "with" her? Imo the best ways to right the wrongs of the past is to educate people and to stand up for thode unable to stand up for themselves.
Thankyou Clair for your compassion and reminding us this isn't Hollywood😢
Your words expressing these were real people who were going to die not because they were guilty but because king wills it & no one’s life is important..,not in Henry’s world.
You’ have the amazing ability to tell the history of the Tudors Thank you.
Martina Adkins so true thank you for your comment.
Yes, George’s reaction makes me think of my family. My Mom has cancer and her biggest concern when we found out was what an inconvenience it would be for us! Late stage cancer that just knocked her off her feet (shocked all of us, a total surprise), causing her so much pain, requiring surgery that caused pain and other side effects, requiring treatments that in themselves are very toxic, fighting for her life... And she’s worried about how we’ll deal with it. She felt guilty my brother chose to move back home to be with us. She felt bad for me taking the night shift and sitting with her (I have a sleep shift disorder so I’m up at night anyway, so it’s no problem, even if it wasn’t my MOTHER, who’s so very sick!). She felt bad about Dad changing patients around so he could go to her first chemo session with her.
She... never thinks about herself in all this. She doesn’t think, “I might not be there to see my grandkids,” and focus on that, it’s all, “Charles, you know Ama’s not going to feel like she can expect you to drop everything to help her when she has her kids, so you need to make sure she doesn’t have to, you need to always be offering, because she may not feel she can ask. Remember this, you need to do this.” The woman is a marvel.
I think you never get so clear a picture into the hearts of people as when they are near the end of their run, especially when they know it. You see how they treat people who can’t do anything else for them. You see if they remember the people they’ve had friendships with, acquaintances they’ve done briskness with, those they paid for smaller services. How they’re treated can say a lot. To remember an old teacher or someone you’ve gotten bread from for twenty years, to use the time to reach out and thank someone who gave your kid private lessons, to wish them and their families the best, it’s as much a part of a legacy as anything.
While I don’t think there’s anything wrong or unnatural with only having eyes and mind for your family, when you have limited time left, it also says something when someone makes it a priority to make sure that the necessary aspects have been seen to. It’s one last bit of control before it’s over. And to try to help the lot of those we leave behind is the last kindness left to us.
There are so many ways in which we can die, and there’s a similarly broad range of mindsets we can have. But I do think George had as good a death as possible, considering the horrible situation. He did not take it without comment, but he also didn’t let the injustice at his situation make him unfeeling. He cared how things would go for others, and he did what he could. His actions are the ultimate and final word on how he led his life, and a reflection on his upbringing as well. I hope that I will be so lucky as to be as thoughtful when my time comes.
I wonder why the letters didn’t profess their innocence? Maybe they were concerned that the letter wouldn’t be delivered and thus their heartfelt messages (albeit temporal) would never be read. You’re right Claire, they are not characters, this is real drama.
Well why would he need an annulment from a soon to be dead woman? I would take hope from being asked for that too.
It must have been extremely tormenting to know that they had not committed the act that will lead to their execution, and that there was no way to prove their innocence or get a fair trial.
Apparently for over 150 years red roses have been sent to the Tower to be laid on Anne's final resting place in the chapel of 'St Peter ad Vincula' on 19th May by unknown persons and respectfully placed by Tower staff. She is not forgotten and never will be.
Poor Anne she was so shocked that she couldn't take in what was happening to her- its getting harder and harder to watch these videos- its so sad
I wonder if she thought saying that Henry might save her at the last second in delusion. Almost hoping he was teaching her a lesson... So sad for her and the other men. Thank you, Claire! xo
I really hated the show "The Tudors". I'm not a Tudor scholar - but the historical inaccuracies drove me CRAZY!!!
I saw the first season, and just saw it as cheap entertainment aimed at the young. On the plus side, it may draw some viewers to look more deeply into history. I think of the silly show as the sexed-up Tudors.
Elizabeth Frantes I agree I like to know the exact history but I enjoyed the Tudors mainly because it gave me an understanding of the time line and introduced me to characters I’ve never known about. Forgive me but I’m American and all my life, we just hear about Henry and his six wives.
It seems as if that show was written for people that like reading Henry viii and Anne Boleyn fan fiction. I hate how they make it seem that Henry just had Anne executed because he was hurt because he thought she cheated when in reality he executed many people. He even wanted to execute his OWN daughter, Mary. It was only when she did what he wanted that he started being sweet to her again. Apparently that jousting accident didn't seem to have any harm on him because he treated her well after she signed that paper, and this was after his accident.
I agree!!
Thank you for your insight, Clare. In this age of cheap entertainment thrills, it is so easy to forget these were real people with real lives and complex issues. History doesn't have to be as two dimensional as television makes it. We need to read and evaluate all the sources, and remember that humans are complicated.
“Remember me when you do pray, that hope doth lead from day to day”
Hi Claire! You asked what Anne could have been thinking in her hope of life ~~ I don't think she was thinking at all. I believe she was a woman in shock and in that shock, she spoke wildly about living out her days in a nunnery. It's as though she just can't wrap her mind around the idea that this man who had loved her ~~ and moved heaven and hell for her ~~ would order her execution. Surely he would just send her away ~~ I wonder what Anne said to herself when she realized the truth. Thanks for the video, and y'all take good care!
One of the reasons why I love your book, The Fall of Anne Boleyn, is because of its immediacy. In it you share the last recorded words of the condemned along with the events that occurred in their final days. It's like a punch in the gut reading it. The facts and emotion intertwine with an impact like no historical fiction or academic examination of Tudor times has had on me before or since. Thank you for sharing your passion and expertise.
I agree that we often lose touch with them being real people, that was a very good speech towards the end. I think they would have been very glad to know that you're telling their story all these years later
Seeing her good friend Cranmer likely lifted her spirits. Also, signing the annulment meant she was never actually married to Henry - so how could she commit adultery?.. Also, I believe she made her last confession and declared her innocence. Perhaps she hoped that Henry could be moved to mercy. His cruelty was so monstrous however that it was hard for Anne to believe it. They had loved so deeply and waited so long to be one that I can understand her hope for reprieve. But in the real life game of thrones as in the series - you win or you die and she had lost - her baby boy and thereby her life.
I can only imagine what it would be like to read from the originals or even the primary sources of these men's last thoughts. Just listening to you today, I have an overwhelming sense of gloom and doom. (20 May will also be the 1 year anniversary of my grandfather's passing at the age of 96). I am struggling with many thoughts regarding the great questions of life and death. I know how much torment my grandfather went through regarding GOD's judgement on his life and he was a good man. I can't imagine these men knowing the hour of their deaths was rapidly approaching, how they got through those hours without going mad.
Ive often thought the same..I think the overwhelming belief in God and the afterlife that they had made it easier. There was no other theory at that time other than everlasting life in heaven- if you were good!! If there is a God, I'm sure your grandad will be in heaven.xx
I feel that, although their fates were so unjust, yet it is a blessing that the end came swiftly. Think how much worse it would have been to languish in a dungeon, perhaps for years, with the threat of torture always hanging over your head. And once they were all sentenced to a traitor's death, think of the relief of hearing so soon that their sentences had been commuted from burning alive & drawing & quartering, to the relative mercy of beheading. 🗡️
It's also a mercy to know the day of your death, so that if you have any unfinished business, you can attend to it. Everyone could benefit from that, whether they believe in God or not. I wish I knew for myself. 📆
@@CTID Thank you Annette - When my grandfather started to get really anxious about dying, I asked him to tell me about what it was like to go off to battle in WWII. He had enlisted with the Navy and knew his orders would be coming through soon. He had heard stories about what war was like. Already some people from his small farming village, where he spent his whole life, had been killed. So he had some anxieties about leaving home and wondering what he would face. He also had some feelings of excitement about traveling to places he has only read about. Either way, it was going to be an adventure beyond anything he had previously known. I told him to try and think of dying in the same way and to look for my grandmother, who had died 8 years before , after being married for 67 years. Dying is something we all have to do. We have all heard stories about what it may be like. However, none of really knows what to expect until it happens.
Bless your wonderful Grandfather. I know you loved him very much.
@@bethjanelle20
Those who have had near-death experiences almost all report a wonderful place & sensations of overpowering love & peace. Many state they were reluctant to return to their life on Earth. All seem to completely lose their fear of death, & look forward to when their time comes again. It is apparently a wonderful experience. I think you handled it beautifully for your grandfather. He was lucky to have you by his side. Bless you. 🙏
Thank you for these videos. It makes me quite dizzy all this SPEED by Henry to rid himself of Anne, talk about a kangaroo court! Though in those days it would have been called something else!
I’m gonna be so sad when this series ends. You’ve done an outstanding job, I’ve enjoyed each & every one of these videos!
🇭🇲🦘 I too wonder why Anne thought she might yet live. But as you said we don't really know what happened. Also the men writing their final letters home
.... to their loved ones, who would mourn them. Then poor George worrying not about his impending death, but about debts and finalising his affairs. Wanting everything 'in order' after his death. Terribly sad. cont....
CLAIRE: Your commentary is so touching, so heartfelt; and when I write "thank you" - I really do mean it.
"Thank you" Claire 💓👑👍
So sad for George Boleyn!! It really points to what an honourable man he was and would not be guilty of the crimes he was charged with!!
11th hour hope for reprieve. It is human nature to believe that one will be saved in the last moment; the unbelievability of those last days leads one to hope against hope. This is so incredibly sad.
I love your series can you keep going after that sad sad day arrives?I would like to hear about what happened after thankyou
Very touching hearing the last letters and the very real concerns. Heartbreaking.
If Claire ever ended a video without a little wave at the end, I'd be heartbroken. lol.
velvta Lol! It’s like having her stop by the house everyday with her daily dose of Tudor. I love these videos!
Claire thank you for reading the importance of this tragedy or rather these tragedies they are horrendous.
After yesterday's Declaration of guilt put on Anne Boleyn and the sentence of burning or beheading I can't imagine what she went through in her mind even though I'm sure she saw it coming. And I don't think that even helped and of course true for the others.
When I was 14 and I Saw The Six Wives of Henry the 8th her trial (played by Dorothy Tutin I believe if I have her name right) just decimated me I felt so bad about her knowing that this was truth and not just a
story
I think her spirit or wherever she is really appreciates what you are doing for her and also the gentleman involved their deaths
I think this is the longest thing I've written to you but thanks 😕
I too remember that series & Dorothy Tutin who played Anne Boleyn & I too was 14 years old. This was the series that got me interested in Anne Boleyn & stays with me to this day.
Wow to think you and I were watching this program at the same time and so moved. Happiness to you
So many butcher George’s character, including the show which made him just an awful person. Such a disservice to real people and a real family who by so many standards, including and perhaps especially today’s and our own standards, would exceed our moral character very likely in any one given thing 9 times out of 10. Such a sense of responsibility & integrity regarding the most trivial matters we would not likely give so much attention to if faced with the same situation(s) today.
Poor, poor Anne. That's all there is to that.
Karma?! What did any of these people do to do deserve this?! Also, why did Henry not worry about his sins? I know they believe the king was as close to God as possible on earth but did they equate that to meaning a king could do anything they wanted and not be a sin?
Thank you, Claire 💝
I find it so interesting that as soon as your videos go up you immediately have two downvotes. Which means there are a couple of people out there who are following you simply to downvote your video no matter what. Absolutely bizarre. I'm imagining someone who is jealous of the excellent videos you make and books you write so takes time out of their day to spread negativity rather than focusing on positive things. How very odd. Don't they have something better to do?
Anyway, great video as always.
Sad story.
Thank you. 🙋👍✌💕
So many people manipulated, lied to, lied about, and abused. I try to look at the big picture and try to imagine why this had to happen? Was there some reason that the World needed this to take place in history? I can't come to grips with it.
Perhaps it was all so Edward VI could be born & reign. It could be that the extra time his reign gave Elizabeth I to mature made her a better queen right out of the gate when she finally did come to the throne. She was only 14 when her father died. Had there been no Edward VI & Mary I had still only reigned for five years, as she actually did, then Elizabeth I would only have been 19 years old when she became queen, instead of 25. Those six extra years were packed full of perilous experiences & powerful reflection. They taught her plenty. I think she needed the ripening. 👑
@Dana Davison
You could be right. Protestantism seems to suit the temperament of the English. 🤔
Thank you.
My passion for history has been rooted in understanding that it's the study of people, humanity...TY for highlighting this perspective. I'm sharing it with my students, and hope to spur their curiosity like mine has been. You're amazing, Claire! TY❤
It's not that it was karma exactly, more like logic. If he cheats with you he will cheat on you, as it were . But when Henry perused one hot and heavy, and would not let any other man have her, she had little to no choice really.
You make it very real for me. My passion for the Tudor period has increased ten fold. Thank you,
Claire: By the way and off topic but perhaps of interest to you.... Today it was announced that Dr. Garard Cheshire, University of Bristol, has a proto-Romance language translation of the supposedly unreadable Voynich Manuscript. He claims that the manuscript was written by nuns for Maria of Castile, Queen of Aragon, aunt of Catherine of Aragon. He also claims that the large centerfold map in the manuscript describes a military rescue performed by Queen Maria when her husband was away. This reminds me of the pregnant Queen Catherine leading Henry´s troops when he was away in France.
(I have done a lot of work on the VM and get Serbo-Croatian. Dr. Cheshire´s system seems work on some of it. A Turkic system works on some of it. Which is a short way to say I dispute the origin but learning about Queen Maria is an interesting window on history. Those Spanish queens were tough!)
I think poor Queen Anne must have been in a confused slight mental turmoil and denial by this time. With the trial, being locked in the tower, the trumped up charges, her daughter Elizabeth declared a bastard, the worry of not being able to see her daughter ever again, and wondering what would happen to Elizabeth as well, her marriage annulled, her tittle of Queen made null and void. You have to remember that no anointed and crowned Queen of England had ever been executed in England in all its history, possibly in all Europe, up to this point. She could have so easily been sent by the King Henry to a European country in exile for life. But that is Henry the butcher for you.
Love your channels! This sound is very hollow sounding in this room.
I always wondered if there was another possible outcome for her. So sad.
Heartbreaking!😢
Hi Claire. Is there any record of Anne showing remorse for mentioning Weston, which resulted in his arrest and subsequent death?
If we, too, knew our exact date of death - - - which we bypass annually just like our birthdays - - - we would also have plenty of debts to discharge before the end. Emotional, financial, spiritual: you name it. And to attend to them would be to attend to our own souls. And after all, what more is there to do, in the end? 🤔
💔 Heartbreaking 💔
Love the tops you have wearing
I saw a program on Henry VIII. In it, as usual, they decided that Anne Boleyn was a gold digger. But they also said that Anne and all the men who were executed were enemies of Cromwell. That's why those particular men were chosen.
The people worrying about the effect of their death on others shows a great deal of character. It is a shame that so many others got caught in the web of lies that resulted in their death.
The annulment is what convinced me that Anne's death was the only acceptable outcome. With the marriage annulled, then it was impossible for Anne to have comitted adultery against Henry and therefore there was no reason for her to be executed.
RI’m glad you brought up their realness. While I’m very upset with Henry and I wish I could go back in time, convince him of some scientific facts he wasn’t aware of at the time, and smack him a bit, it is kind of disconcerting when people detach the stories from the people too much. It’s not a novel. One event didn’t follow another to create narrative tension or to foreshadow a turn. They’re events that just... happened due to cause and effect and people plotting to have their own goals advanced.
Saying someone deserved their horrible death or the horrible death someone else got, that they deserved to be dragged down and killed... that’s awful! I’ve seen comments about Henry being in hell and that being a good thing because he deserves it!
I have no love for King Henry. But, jeez. What does it say about you when you’re at your happiest about a given situation when you think someone is in Hell, actively?
I guess it may depend on religion and denomination. And people who aren’t religious or spiritual would think it’s mega stupid in general. There are a tons of ideas of what Hell is. Is it a firey pit? Is it full of tortures? It is dark and full of demons? Is it cold and full of temptations you can never take advantage of? Is it just... utter aloneness and isolation, full to the brim with nothing but despair? I don’t know what I think. But I do know that I wouldn’t want to be in that situation. To be in pain and to be alone with no escape, yeah it’s ironic that someone who hurt his wives may be in that situation on the flip side.
But he was a person. Who lived and breathed and smiled and sang and raged and wept. He was held up to a relieved mother, because now England had two heirs. From that moment, he was just another cog in the machinery of state. He could have been a better person, yeah. But at one time, it could have been a different way. He became the man he was for a reason and we can never the full story of it.
Because of that if nothing less, maybe we need to keep our empathy in firm control of our reactions. If we can’t at least do that much, how can we expect to improve as a society?
Being happy he was stopped from hurting more women is a far cry from feeling vindicated because at least now he’s probably suffering some eternal damnation. Sigh.
I do feel sorry for the many things these people had to suffer but let's not forget they enjoyed dishing it out to others
It's called denial. 😔
I think Anne Boleyn was the Scarlett O'Hara of her day.
When or how did a swordsman to execute Anne come into play?
stay tuned I guess!
Anne requested it and Henry agreed.
@@elsiegreenwich1382 Sorry for my off topic response to you earlier, I deleted it. I confused what thread I was on lol
I'm sure Claire will discuss this
Defiled is my name, full sore
Through cruel spite and false report,
That I may say forevermore, farewell to joy, adieu comfort.
For wrongfully you judge of me,
Unto my fame a mortal wound.
Say what he list, it may not be.
Yes seek for that shall not be found.
Nan Bullen
Tower of London
I previously mentioned a comment left at QueenElizabethFiles or whatever it is called, that Queen Anne Boleyn gave her life so Elizabeth could reign. It was said Anne and Elizabeth could have gone to a convent in France but Anne chose to die and leave Elizabeth in the succession.
This seems a bit fantastical since so many men were destined to die in the whole mess.
Yet we have indications that Elizabeth I had a fairly secret affinity for the mother she must not have remembered. There is the Checkers ring and the question of many of Elizabeth´s portraits that some experts have suggested also show Anne Boleyn´s features. Elizabeth´s death mask--if real--shows a fairly round face but many of her portraits show a long face like Anne´s. Is it possible that through Anne´s relatives, Elizabeth knew of such a trade off?
If the marriage was annulled then Elizabeth would clearly have been a bastard. Mary could be reinstated and Jane´s future son would solve the rest of the problems. Henry could have been reconciled with the Church of Rome if he desired though I suppose that would have been unlikely after the dissolution of the monasteries, etc.
None of the circumstances around the fall and tragic end of Anne Boleyn make any sense to me. What would make the most sense is that Henry wanted an annulment and she refused and fought back. What if she had accepted at the last minute? Would she have been sent to a convent? Would the men have been released? If so, Anne´s brother George was held as a political hostage and she may also have known that her refusal would guarantee his death. We know Henry had a small bit of conscience since he ordered a swordsman from Calais and some of the men could have been made to suffer more.
Queen Catherine of Aragon had a similar horrific choice, to accept annulment and bastardize her daughter. Henry may have thought it easy to discard wives but what, if anything, did he think about his female progeny?
@Dana Davison Unbelievably, amazingly selfish! Or are we forgetting that he made new political alliances with the Seymours rather than the Boleyns and Howards? What, if anything, did he gain there?
I don’t think annulment changed the legitimacy of Henry’s daughters. I know that when an acquaintance got an annulment granted by the Catholic Church his 4 children were still considered legitimate.
@Dana Davison That is some of the picture but like Claire says, these were real people with real lives. I doubt many of us here can really understand what it was like to LIVE in the Tudor period.
I am a religious person and have had the simpler thoughts of karma, etc. Then historic research I have done caused me to re-think ¨religion¨ and concentrate on life.
Henry could not completely run amok with his various loves. He answered to the council, his advisers, the nobles and as we see from many rebellions, to the people. He had to consider invasion from the continent or the north. It was still the day when countries raised armies and kicked the stuffing out of other countries.
It sounds logical for her to go to a convent. I think Henry was mortified about his ed and killed everyone that knew. That isn't logical.
Why were the noblemen accused of violating Anne? Were they on Henry's shit list or did they just pick names out of a hat to be the fall guys? I can see the musician being made a patsy but why the noblemen? Just don't get it....what an evil man Henry was!
Everyone always wants to save Anne but if Henry didn't execute her 95%of us wouldn't care js