Anne Boleyn, Part 1

You’ve heard of “sister from another mister,” but what about a sisters with the same mister? 

We’re raising our Homewrecker cocktails high (1 part Strawberry Vodka, 1 part Peach Schnapps, and some orange juice) to Queen Anne Boleyn as we dissect how on Earth she was mislabeled as such, even though her sister Mary’s affairs with King Francis and others (she was King Henry VIII’s mistress for a bit too!) earned her title of “the most infamous whore.”

Just so the portrait is complete, we begin during the early life of Queen Anne Boleyn and skim through her education, her family, and the rumors about her appearance. 

For over 6 years, King Henry VIII stalked her, incessantly writing love letters courting Anne to become his mistress. She refused until, finally, his long-drawn-out annulment with Queen Catherine of Aragon was resolved, and the opportunity presented itself for Anne’s marriage-or-nothing ultimatum to be satisfied. 

Gross things royals did to maintain power and bloodlines for 1000: King Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was the widow of Henry VIII's brother, Arthur.  

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

• Dispelling rumors of a sixth finger and witchcraft warts 
• Henry VIII’s mistresses and the ladies in waiting
• Noble suitors and giving into King Henry’s stalker-like advances 

Must-listen moments: 

[00:06:28] Anne's early education was the time in history when girls actually got a fairly good education. It was just fashionable at this time to educate your daughters well…Mary and Anne Boleyn were educated at home by her mother at the beginning of her life.

[00:36:39]: She may not have been this great beauty for the time. But one of her biographers wrote that she was a remarkable, intelligent, quick-witted, full young noblewoman. She first drew people into conversation with her and then amused and entertained them. In short, her energy and vitality made her the center of attention at any social gathering.  

[00:53:02] Henry had never flaunted a mistress like this before…he had had Bessie Blount before and then Mary Bolen, and they had kids together and stuff. He was always respectful to Catherine in this, but with Anne, it was different…he paraded her around.

More on Queen Anne Boleyn in Part 2 https://pod.fo/e/1037ab and Part 3 https://pod.fo/e/1037aa

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