2 of 7

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 3

alone together in the Queen's private chambers. But George was one of her only close relatives at court, and as a commoner in this vulnerable position she would have wanted a confidante and the only place that she could have seen him alone was her chambers. And the greatest condemnation to state's evidence was that Lady Rochford later admitted that she had framed Anne and Her brother when she was about to be executed for helping Henry's fifth wife, Catherine Howard, commit adultery with Thomas Culpepper.

Also notable were the people who did not testify for her. There were surprisingly few witnesses (considering the large numbers of people that would have been in her presence night and day). And she would have needed a conspirator as Lady Rochford served for Katherine Howard later on. And by getting rid of some of the main people she could have called in her defense (her brother) and others in her faction by accusing them of treason, the crown's case was able to eliminate the chance of others supporting her side of the story.

For Henry's part, he was probably protected in even wondering about her guilt in the very one-sided manner with which her trial was conducted. He never seemed the least bit two ways about it, displaying if not total cold heartedness, at least singleness in purpose. In a gesture seen as magnanimous but in actuality was probably an icy cold final touch, he called for executioners by sword from France, the country Anne was closely affiliated with. Henry waited to hear the cannon sound her death and was off like a shot himself to the Seymours, where he was betrothed the next day.

The proceedings and general feeling about Anne's guilt, including that from Henry hismelf, against Anne look more and more like a frame-up as they are examined through history. She wasn't really even tried for the crimes that could have convicted her of treason. Adultery in of itself was not legal justification for her death, because adultery by or with the Queen was not treason by law at this time. Therefore, the charges of incest and the alleged plotting of King's death could only be considered treason at her trial, and neither of these were proved. Therefore, Anne's statement that Henry "made her a marchioness, then a Queen, then a martyr," rings true.

It is likely that this dramatic fall, back to the point from which Henry raised her and further, is because she was not raised to repell any and all suggestion of being culpable of human weakness as is a princess. Her previous time in France, her betrothal to a normal boy with normal feelings, and her very public display of emotion and jealousy toward her rivals while she reigned played off the ambivalence and even bitterness that those in court and in the public felt at having a commoner raised above them on the throne, what was believed to be a very sacred position for those only posessing royal blood.

Learn more about this author, Carol H. Morgan.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3

Add your voice

Know something about The downfall of Anne Boleyn?
We want to hear your view. Write now!