by Kimberly Napier

Created on: September 20, 2011   Last Updated: September 23, 2011

Mary Boleyn was the elder daughter of Thomas Boleyn, the first Earl of Wiltshire and Lady Elizabeth Howard. She was born at Blickling Hall in Norfolk around 1502. Mary was named after the Princess Mary Tudor, youngest child of Henry Vii and Elizabeth of York. It is believed that she was the eldest sibling of George, born around 1503, and Anne, born around 1507. George became Earl of Rochford and Anne became the second queen of King Henry VIII. Two other brothers, Henry and Thomas, died in childhood. 

Mary was educated in French, as a child, by Mademoiselle Semmonet. She also learned how to play the lute, harp, viol and virginals. There was a time in her childhood that her father used his connections to assure that both girls received a continental “finish.” 

Mary spent most of her early life at Kent, in Hever Castle. She was thought to be the prettier of the two girls, with her fair hair and blue eyes. Mary was sent to the Regent of the Netherlands in 1513. She was maid of honour to Margaret, Archduchess of Austria and Regent of the Netherlands. Later on, she became part of the entourage of Princess Mary, the sister of Henry VIII. Princess Mary, at this time was on her way to France to marry its king. While here, Mary and Anne Boleyn joined the French court, serving Queen Claude, the wife of the new king. Mary returned home before Anne. During the time at the French court, Mary had received a reputation for behaving wantonly. Despite this, her father was able to find her a place at the English court, as a maid of honour to Queen Catherine of Aragon. On February 4, 1520, Mary and William Carey were married. Carey was an esquire of the body, and considered a favorite of the king. King Henry VIII attended the wedding. 

Mary and William gave birth to a daughter, Catherine, in 1524. Around this time, Mary caught Henry VIII’s eye and in 1525, she began an affair with him. It did not last long, because during this time he also took notice of Mary’s sister, Anne Boleyn. Marry’s affair helped the Boleyn family to proper. Her father, Thomas Boleyn, was made a viscount and they also received many financial gifts. 

Soon after Mary’s affair with the king ended, she gave birth to a son, Henry. He was born on March 4, 1526. It was assumed that he had been sired by Henry VIII, although this was never officially acknowledged. By this time, the king had fallen in love with Anne. 

Having observed Mary and the king,

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