Anne Boleyn A Victim of Politics Essay - 1510 Words

On Friday, May 19, 1536, Anne Boleyn, former Queen of England, was executed for high treason and adultery, her head severed from her body by an expert swordsman, the only concession given her by her ex-husband King Henry VIII. How, in so short a time, had the woman that Henry had defied the religious tradition of England for, divorcing his wife and changing the history of religion in his country, whom he pursued relentlessly for years, fallen so far, so quickly? To understand one must examine Henry’s desperate need for a male heir, understand the politics of the time, and the personality of Anne Boleyn herself. When Henry VIII became seriously attracted to Anne Boleyn in 1525 (Weir The Six Wives of Henry VIII p. 159), he was in his†¦show more content†¦Politics interfered with his wish to divorce Catherine of Aragon. Beset by Pope Clement VII’s procrastination over the annulment between Catherine and Henry, it was completely stalled by Charles V, Catherineâ €™s nephew, when his troops sacked Rome in May of 1527. This led Henry to act in his own best interests, and on February 7, 1531, he stood in Parliament and demanded that the church of England recognize and acknowledge him as the â€Å"sole protector and supreme head†, (Weir p 221) that in itself leading to his taking over of the monasteries, and taking and redistributing their wealth. On September 1, 1532, Henry took the first step towards making Anne his Queen, by bestowing upon her her own peerage. Creating her Marquess of Pembroke, he enhanced Anne’s status, and wrote a patent of creation that confused many contemporaries of the time. Stating that any child conceived out of wedlock would be provided for in the event of the King dying before his marriage to Anne took place, could only indicate that Anne had finally submitted to the King. (Weir p. 236) Some felt that this was an indication that Anne would be set aside and that Henry was providing for any ba stards that ensued from the union, but as we know this was not the case. On April 1, 1533 the King summoned his Council and informed them that he had married Anne Boleyn two months previously, and that she was pregnant with the heir to the realm. (Wernicke p. 97) After only eightShow MoreRelatedAnne Boleyn Essay examples2136 Words   |  9 PagesOn Friday, May 19, 1536, Anne Boleyn, former Queen of England, was executed for high treason and adultery, her head severed from her body by an expert swordsman, the only concession given her by her ex-husband King Henry VIII. How, in so short a time, had the woman that Henry had defied the religious tradition of England for, divorcing his wife and changing the history of religion in his country, whom he pursued relentlessly for years, fallen so far, so quickly? 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