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The herald of major socio-political changes in both Great Britain and, by extension, America ("the colonies"), Anne Boleyn was as much a heroine and a victim of her own cleverness. Her actions changed the course of an entire nation - arguably an entire world - and all because she was a mistress of seduction and intrigue. To do justice to the story of her influence in the changes in Europe, we must begin with Henry Tudor, the puppet of great change.

Henry VIII was not crowned king at the death of his father, but it was expected that his brother, Arthur (Tudor History), would ascend the thrown. Henry was never expected to be king and so fewer resources were applied to his royal education than were applied to Arthur. In 1501, Arthur married Catherine of Aragon, princess proper of Spain. As most royal marriages, this union ensured peace amongst the often warring nations of England and Spain, and by extension, warranted peace with France in that they were unlikely to strike arms against Spain for fear of England's wrath.

Arthur died four months after marrying Catherine and Henry was elevated to the status of future king upon the death of his own father, Henry VI. At age 10, Henry was easily manipulated by the courts and was coerced into a marriage with Catherine of Aragon, a woman nearly seven years older than Henry. This marriage was allowed to take place in spite of the apparent incest taboo because Catherine vehemently proclaimed that her marriage to Henry's brother was never consummated. In 1509, Henry's father died and both Henry and Catherine were pronounced king and queen.

It is important to note that, up until Anne Boleyn's introduction to Henry VIII, England was ruled not simply by the King and Queen apparent, but also by the church - specifically, the Roman Catholic church whose presence was felt in the royal court and amongst the royal advisers. Cardinal Wolsey, a key figure in the house of Tudor, was a strong voice in the decisions and goings-on of the royal house and, by extension, all of England. Catherine of Aragon was a devout Catholic, recognizing only the Roman Catholic court as capable of judging her on any account as they were believed to be the direct appointments of God. Henry, too, was raised Catholic.

The status of Catholicism having a firm grip on most of England is important in that Protestantism is still relatively new growth in England, and therefore, on unsafe ground. Families like the Boleyn's, dedicated to their freer Protestant ways,

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