Again, since I am obsessed with Queen Anne Boleyn as I have written before on my article ~ as much as that – let’s do some bits by bits and article by article about this infamous Tudor family.
Who is King Henry VII and how he became a King ~
Born as the second prince to King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York – was not expected to be the King. Nevertheless, the first prince, Arthur who just a newlywed…passed away ~ and he left young Henry with his next-in-throne and untouched widow, Catherine of Aragon. Henry was 10 years old and she was six years older.
Henry in his teens was a bit of a hunk prince – he is charming and handsome, loves dancing, winning a joust – he is the centre of women’s attention at court.
It can be told that England was happy to have this young king-to-be.
Some times before his dad passed away, he left a dying message to young Henry – he wanted him to be espoused – espoused means to create an alliance with another country.
Catherine of Aragon, the widow of Arthur, a Spanish princess would be the best choice – hence, the headstrong Henry has cared for her anyway.
So, after 7 years, in 1509, Henry and Catherine got married – in the name of “a bit of” love, as well as in the name of English and Spanish relationship in politics.
Two weeks later, Henry had his head crowned as the King Henry VIII of England.
From this marriage, the Queen successfully delivered a princess, later known as Queen Mary I of England or the “Bloody Mary”, as her nickname. Yet, one of Henry’s biggest obsessions is to have a son. A son to sit in the next Tudor’s throne – just, both sons from the Queen died at childbirth.
Remember, Henry wanted a son so badly!
Therefore, for him to have married his older brother’s widow was a total curse – he believed this was the reason why he would not be able to have a son as his successor.
The marriage lasted until Henry set his eyes to one of his wife’s lady-in-waiting, Anne Boleyn. Henry fell in love from the moon and back to Anne – as in 1527 his first and most important priority was to set himself free from his marriage to Catherine. This matter is known as “The King’s Great Matter” as he was so desperate to have his marriage annulled by the Pope.
After some 6 years, the next thing to be known was that England divorced itself from the Catholic Rome – at the same time the Church of England was born, so that Henry could have his marriage annulled.
Later, on January 25th, 1533 he married Anne Boleyn in secret – as secret as that Anne has been discovered pregnant with Henry’s child.
Then on June 1st, Anne was crowned as the Queen Consort – the Anne Boleyn had completely achieved what she wanted – she is the Queen of England and expecting, what else would she need to be loved by the King!
Again, remember, Henry wanted a son so badly!
Yet, Anne delivered a baby girl – Princess Elizabeth ~ who later would be the Queen Elizabeth I.
This moment was the beginning of the end for Anne – with many coldness situations and arguing between the husband and wife were reported from the palace walls.
In the next year Anne got pregnant again but her child was stillborn – and it was a boy. Henry was not able to keep his feelings towards his second wife anymore. His emotion was full of anger and hatred.
It didn’t long for Henry to have his eyes laid on the Queen’s lady-in-waiting, again! He had been hounded by the pleasing serene and calm Lady Jane Seymour.
So, what was Henry’s next thing to do on his priority list? To be separated from his wife, again! So, he started to speak of witchcraft – that his wife was really a sorceress and she was using her evil charm to lure him into marriage – to be the Queen.
So, once everything is assured and confirmed, the King’s trusted person, Thomas Cromwell was setting up the drama script in motion – to get rid of Anne. It was in mid-May 1536, five men were arrested for treason and charged with having sexual relations with the Queen – the next day, Anne Boleyn herself was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Until May 19th, 1536, Anne was led to meet her death by execution. She accepted her fate ~
On the same day as Anne’s execution, the King was engaged to Lady Jane Seymour…
(to be continue in King Henry of England and the Six Wives ~ Part 2)
