Last night, the final episode of three-part historical drama Anne Boleyn aired on Channel 5. While Jodie Turner-Smith has received rave reviews for her portrayal of Anne Boleyn, TV critics are seem divided on the series script and value to Boleyn’s legacy.
But for viewers, the focus appears to be on historical accuracy, with Google Trends showcasing countless questions the public now has about Anne Boleyn’s life. From how many miscarriages Anne Boleyn had to whether she really did kiss Jane Seymour, it feels like we’ve all reverted to GCSE History, obsessing over Henry VIII’s monarchy.
Enter Tudor historian Hayley Nolan, an expert on Anne Boleyn who can answer all of your burning questions...
Did Anne Boleyn really have a lesbian kiss with Jane Seymour?
No. This has never even been a rumour, let alone there being any evidence to prove it happened. Anne Boleyn was known by her contemporaries for being a deeply religious evangelical - despite the sexist smear campaign that has since rewritten her as the saucy seductress!
How many miscarriages did Anne Boleyn have?
Following the birth of her daughter Elizabeth in 1533, Anne sadly miscarried around July 1534 when she was almost full term, then on 29th January 1536 (the day of Katherine of Aragon’s funeral.) There were rumours of a possible 3rd pregnancy however these may have simply been one of the above but misdated.
Did Anne Boleyn sleep with her brother?
No. George Boleyn was taken down because he was a key member of the Boleyn faction. The fact that he and his wife had less success than Henry and Anne at conceiving also ruins the theory she might have slept with him out of desperation to get pregnant with a fake ‘heir.’
Was Anne Boleyn guilty?
No. Spanish Ambassador Chapuys reported that King’s advisor Cromwell admitted he framed Anne for adultery. When researching my book, Anne Boleyn: 500 Years of Lies, I discovered this was because Anne had tried to set up a rival government council to Cromwell’s in order to launch the Tudor’s first access to free healthcare! This was following years of anti-poverty activism from the censored Tudor queen.
How many wives did Henry VIII kill?
Two, his second wife Anne Boleyn and his fifth wife, Katherine Howard. Incidentally, Jane Rochford (George Boleyn’s wife) aided Katherine with her affair and was executed alongside her. So it is rather telling that none of Anne’s ladies who supposedly 'witnessed her affairs' went down with their queen!
What happened to Anne Boleyn’s daughter Elizabeth?
She was declared illegitimate at first but in his lifetime Henry VIII placed both of his daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, back in the line of succession. Elizabeth eventually took the throne following Mary’s death.
Where is Anne Boleyn buried?
She is in an unmarked grave in the chapel of St Peter ad Vincula within the Tower of London. Some say her body was found during an excavation but it was never proven to be hers.
It’s also worth noting that Anne never called for the execution of a woman for attacking her in public, Cromwell never visited Anne in prison and her brother never got any of her ladies in waiting pregnant!
Read More:
Has Jodie Turner-Smith As Anne Boleyn Just Introduced Us To Tudorcore?
Behind The Scenes On Anne Boleyn, Channel 5's New Historical Drama