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Anne Boleyn
A Multigenre Research Paper by: Christine Truesdale
Table of Contents
1. Dear Reader Letter 2. Personal Ad: Henry VIII 3. Letter: To Anne Boleyn from her father, Thomas Boleyn 4. Henry VIIIs Court: An Extended Metaphor Poem 5. Annes To Do List 6. Note from Henry to Anne 7. I am Queen: A double-voice poem 8. The Courtship of Anne Boleyn: Painting and Narrative 9. Dialogue Excerpt: Anne and Henry 10. Annulment Petition: Henry and Catherine 11. Marriage Certificate: Henry and Anne 12. The King Creates New Church: Newspaper Article 13. Birth Certificate: Elizabeth 1 14. Digital Diary Entry: Anne 15. Physicians Statement 16. Royal Proclamation 17. Text Conversation: King Henry and Lady Rochford 18. The Lady in the Tower: A Haiku 19. Death Certificate: Anne Boleyn 20. End Notes 21. Biography
Dear Reader, Youre invited to join me as I travel back in time to the mid-16th century to visit the royal court of England. The following multi-genre paper is about Anne Boleyn, who is famous for her seduction of King Henry VIII and rise to the throne of England. Her journey, which ultimately caused Englands religious break from the Catholic Church, is taught to students around the world. What is often excluded, however, is the multitude of people who contributed to Annes story: King Henry, Catherine of Aragon, Mary Boleyn, George Boleyn, Jane Boleyn (Lady Rochford), the Catholic church, Annes parents, and Annes well-known daughter, Elizabeth 1. In the time of Anne Boleyn, court life was complex, manipulative, ambitious, seductive and dangerous, and those who lived within the castle walls created these descriptions of court. I hope that by peering into the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, I will help bring more knowledge about the lust, ambition and ultimate betrayal of court that is so often lost in the modern worlds fascination with the topic. This multigenre project serves as a timeline, and it is best understood when read linearly from beginning to end. Yours, Christine
FEMALE: Late 50s seeks man with a kind heart. I am intelligent, outgoing, articulate, and Im told I have an infectious laugh and a lot to offer a man. Youre not going to find anyone else like me. Looking for someone who enjoys a good golf game or walk in the park. SUCCESSFUL LAWYER: Tired of working my life away. Ready for a kindhearted woman to spend it with. Salt and pepper hair with straight teeth. Bathe daily and enjoy a woman who does the same. Red-heads and blondes preferred.
My Dearest Anne, I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying your time in the French court. I know the last time we spoke, you were angry with me. I understand your feelings of betrayal for being sent away, but after your marriage scandal with Henry Percy, you left me no choice. Hopefully we can put that all behind us now. Im writing to summon you back to the English court. Although your dear sister Mary has tried to entertain the king, her efforts have proved to be most futile. Catherine is drawing him back in with her promises of a male heireven though I have heard from a reliable source that she is indeed barren. We are in need of someone with great beauty who can hold the kings attention longer than Mary was able. We need you, with your enchanting personality and intelligence. As my eldest daughter, this is your opportunity to raise the Boleyn name to greatness and achieve power and status that of which you have only dreamed. Please do not let the thought of being a mans mistress deter you. This task will not defile your name or your virtue. In fact, simply bearing a kings son would ensure a marriage between you and a higher noble. In closing, I fear I must warn you now, for once you arrive any words spoken within the castle will need to be treated delicately and with the utmost care. One must always tread carefully around His Majesty the King. He is said to be quick to love and even quicker to scorn. Do not give him everything he wantsnot at first. That was Marys downfall, for she is too gentle-hearted to hold back her loving nature. You must always been in control of yourself, your feelings, and the situation. I have every confidence in your abilities to achieve this. I will be counting the days until I can see your beautiful face again. Your mother, George, and Mary all send their love and cheerful anticipation of your homecoming. Your father, Thomas Boleyn
Court life is like a school cafeteria With the blue-eyed queen entertaining her subjects, Speaking of crushes and cherry-flavored lip gloss Where the seats next to her are prizes As easily lost as they are won.
Annes To Do List:
1. Meet King Henry 2. Go riding with Henry 3. Receive gift from Henry 4. Make Henry fall in love with me 5. Get rid of Catherine 6. Become Queen 7. Birth a male heir to the throne
My Beloved Anne, I never knew I could love anything or anyone so much until you came into my life. You are like a fire burning bright during the coldest evening of December. My heart belongs to you, as it forever will. Please tell me I can see you tonight. Your love, Henry
I am Queen
The following is a double-voice poem about King Henry VIII from the perspectives of his mistress, Anne Boleyn, and his wife, Catherine of Aragon.
Anne Henry is Adoring In love With me. Katherine is An old woman With a barren womb Incapable of loving him As I do. He loves me Only me She must not stay, For I am Queen.
Catherine Henry is Besotted Bewitched By her. Anne is A sorceress With youth and ambition Incapable of loving him As I do. Hes forgotten, but He loves me I will not go away, For I am Queen.
The king leaned closer, drawing Anne to him while he whispered in her ear. As the whispered frenzy in the crowd rose, the Queen knowingly tilted her headresisting the urge to turn around. Things were getting worse, Catherine knew. Henry had never gone as far as to show his love for the Boleyn girl in her presence before. Clasping her hands to steady the trembling, the Queen put one foot in front of the other, tuning out all but the rhythm of her steps.
Dialogue between King Henry VIII and his mistress Anne Boleyn Anne took a step back, swiftly evading the kings outstretched hand. Why are you angry with me? Henry asked, finally managing to snag Annes hand as she tried to leave the room. Do you hear the things theyre saying about me? Who? Anne shot him a cool glare before turning her back to him, as only she could. Your queens little birds. They chatter on about how Im nothing to you. How Im just something to pass the time. Dont listen to them. Their resentment is fueled with envy. They know my heart doesnt belong to the queen. Yet she is still your queen-- whether she has your favor or not. What am I? Nothing. Ive given your father and brother both land and titles. Ive And what about a title for me? Anne interrupted, turning to look him in the eyes. Henry rubbed a hand across his face. You know I cant Youre the King of England, she said, stepping close to whisper in his ear as she placed a hand lightly on his chest, You can do anything you please. He took a deep breath, squeezing his eyes shut before opening them. I cant dissolve our marriage. The Church will never allow it. Then make it disappear, Anne whispered, holding his gaze for a long moment before turning to leave.
PETITION FOR DECLARATION OF INVALIDITY OF MARRIAGE The Petitioner, Henry Tudor VIII , states that this marriage is invalid and void based upon the following grounds: A party lacked capacity to consent to the marriage at the time the marriage was solemnized, either because of mental incapacity or infirmity or because of the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other incapacitating substances. A party lacked the physical capacity to consummate the marriage by sexual intercourse, and the other party did not at the time the marriage was solemnized know of the incapacity. One party entered into the marriage in reliance upon a fraudulent act or representation of the other party, which fraudulent act or representation goes into the essence of the marriage. The marriage is considered a sacrilegious bond according to one or both parties. -Please explain: Catherine was previously married to my elder brother, and she consummated the marriage. This is against the Catholic belief. One or both parties entered into the marriage under duress exercised by the other party or a third party, whether or not such other party knew of such exercise of duress One or both parties entered into the marriage as a jest or dare. One or both parties was previously married and consummated said marriage. ________________________________________________________________________ VERIFICATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I swear/affirm under oath that I have read the foregoing petition and the statements set forth therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
1532
Year
This certifies that Henry Tudor VIII & Anne Boleyn were united in marriage on this day, the 25th of January in the year 1533. This ceremony was witnessed and celebrated by the Royal Court of England.
consummation, but rather the King lied to marry his current Queen Consort, Anne Boleyn, who is now rumored to be with child. Many citizens have begun to gather outside the castle walls, screaming allegations about Queen Anne being an evil sorcerous who has entranced the King to marry her and make this break from Rome. The Queen stands behind her King in his decision, declaring that the Church of England will start a much-needed reform. Inside sources from the Royal Court claim that while Queen Anne is with child, the newly formed marriage is already strained due to the increased disapproval from the people of England. Another anonymous source stated the following, Im not sure what will happen if the Queen doesnt produce a male heir. For her sake, I hope she is indeed with child. The King seems restless alreadyhes wondering if he has made a huge mistake. I guess only time will tell.
Elizabeth Tudor His Majesty King Henry VIII Queen Anne Boleyn on the seventh 1533 A.D.
In Witness Whereof the Royal Kingdom of England has caused this certificate to be signed By His Majesty the King of England and its Royal Seal to be hereunto affixed.
PROCLAMATION
ROYAL DECREE No. 246 _____________________________ ANY CITIZEN OF ENGLAND FOUND TO BE INVOLVED IN SORCEROROUS ACTS WILL HEREBY BE CHARGED WITH
TREASON
AGAINST THE ROYAL MONARCH OF ENGLAND AND HIS MAJESTY KING HENRY VIII PUNISHABLE BY
BEHEADING
Death Certificate
This document officially certifies that Anne Boleyn died at 2:45 p.m. on the 19th day of May in the year 1536 A.D. Sex: Female Year of Birth: 1500 Cause of Death: Beheading
End Notes
1. Letter from Thomas Boleyn to Anne Boleyn: In the letter, Thomas mentions a marriage scandal between Anne and Henry Percy, who was the heir of the Earl of Northumberland. Henry Percy had been previously engaged, when he and Anne Boleyn became betrothed in secret. To this day, it is unknown whether they were in fact marriage in secret, and if so, whether or not they consummated the marriage. Anne was soon after sent to France to be a lady-in-waiting to the French Queen. In addition, there is mention of Mary being the Kings mistress. While there is research that claims Annes sister was the mother of two of the Kings children, there is no evidence to back this claim. 2. Elizabeth Is Birth Certificate: I named Elizabeth I as a Tudor on her birth certificate. I simply did so as a clarification. Elizabeth I was not formally entitled a Tudor until she became Queen. 3. Annes Diary Entry: The contents of Annes diary entry were created based on research of Annes fall from the Kings graces. No such diary entries were recovered, but there is a proposed letter from Anne to Henry while she spent time in the Tower of London; however, there isnt full evidence that the letter was indeed truly written by her. 4. Text Messages between Lady Rochford and King Henry VIII: Lady Rochford was Jane Boleyn, and she was married to Annes brother, George. Many sources state that she is the one who charged Anne and George with incest although the claim was never proven, and incest was thought to be a possible reason for her miscarriage at the time. Henry mentions he is with Jane Seymour, who became Queen for a short time after Annes execution. 5. Form Entries: All form entries were created based on real examples, but each one was modified to fit this project.
Bibliography
Ives, Eric. A Frenchman at the Court of Anne Boleyn. History Today 48.8 (1998): 2126. Web. 17 Apr. 2012 Ives, Eric. Anne Boleyn on Trial Again. Journal of Ecclesiastical History 64.2 (2011): 763-776. Web. 15 Apr. 2012 Mears, Natalie. Courts, Courtiers, and Culture and Tudor England. The Historical Journal 46.3 (2003): 703-722. Web. 24 Mar. 2012. Schmid, Susan W. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. History Review .69 (2011): 7-11. Web. 18 Mar. 2012 Walker, Greg. Rethinking the Fall of Anne Boleyn. The Historical Journal I. 45 (2002): 1-29. Web. 15 Apr. 2012 Weir, Alison. Henrys Queens: My Kingdom for an Heir. British Heritage 23.4 (2002) 16-24. Web. 29 Mar. 2012