The Tower of London and Anne Boleyn 

Oh I am soooooo excited about this!! I’m wearing my Anne Boleyn shirt and telling everyone in my office that today is “Anne Boleyn Remembrance Day”! I don’t care if it’s official - I’m making it a thing here in the states!! 😂💁🏻‍♀️

I think he was trying to emphasise the legitimacy of his offspring by Anne. The cracks in their relationship appeared soon after the birth of Elizabeth. Anne seemed to struggle with the transition from mistress to wife because it appears that Henry was less respectful of her as his wife and his romantic attention strayed quite quickly after marriage. Considering that he moved to execute Anne so quickly after Katherine’s death would indicate that he did not value her for herself but for the sons she was supposed to have.

Anne's letter further strengthened my belief of her innocence. Such a tragic death.

I read somewhere that those condemned to die at this time were obliged to say positive things about the king and the legal proceedings in order to protect their families from further repercussions. So sad, I can’t imagine people saying “God save the king” before getting their heads cut off. 😢

It always blows my mind the amount of power Henry had. I know a lot of people didn't like Anne, especially because of what happened to Katherine, but the fact that no one was willing to do anything is just crazy to me. His father never could have gotten away with executing his wife, even if she wasn't Elizabeth of York. Add to the fact that Henry did it TWICE is just astounding.

Another engaging video, Dr. Kat: *Thank you!* The sheer *speed* of Anne Boleyn's downfall always staggers me -- but I suspect that Thomas Cromwell wanted Anne & her circle to die quickly, for his own survival. The French swordsman who executed Anne was ordered to England two weeks prior to her trial, so the outcome of that trial was a fait accompli. Re: Anne's French upbringing -- ironically, Anne grew up at the Court of French Queen Claude, who ran a strict school for aristocratic ladies, with flirtation vetoed. I am glad that serious historians nowadays reject the lie that Anne was an adulteress. Again, thank you, Dr. Kat.

Such a brave final speech...really shows how diplomatic she was. I feel sorry that she miscarried a boy...things could have been so different had he lived.🏰

🌟It is my opinion ~ and others, that you Dr. Kat, are the BEST historian on ALL of social media. Keep up always the FANTASTIC work!

One can always argue that administrations fight the last battle. Henry VIII's background was unusual. He was the loved and treasured heir of a careful father. His father had taken the throne from Richard III, the last Plantagenet monarch to emerge from the War of the Roses. Richard's brother Edward, had seized the throne from a weak Henry VI, in spite of Henry's having a male heir in the control of a strong queen. Edward had then lost the throne but finally regained it for a short term of stability before dying, leaving as heirs his two underaged sons. Richard had moved against his nephew's weak minority to protect himself from the threat that he, rightfully as it turned out, perceived as coming from his nephews' mother's family. Richard attacked the legality of his older brother's marriage, eliminated (however you think) his brother's SEVEN children from the line of succession, and grabbed the throne. Richard was a grown man but the death of his heir and the move against his brother's children made him vulnerable to a rival faction. Henry, Duke of Richmond joined that rival faction, exploited that vulnerability, invaded, killed Richard in pitched battle, seized the throne and grabbed the princess as his wife. Richard, without a living heir, had left the kingdom vulnerable to an outside adventurer and the outside adventurer had succeeded. That was Henry VIII's recent history. Henry had two daughters with mothers who both had marriages that could be argued by one faction or another to be unlawful. We can assert that Henry's doubt about the legality of his marriage to Katherine was so much nonsense, but that was exactly the logic that Richard III had used against his nephew, Edward V. Henry had fathered one son, but the boy was illegitimate and therefore also vulnerable to outside attacks. Circling the reigns of Henry VII and VIII were the string of "Richard of York" pretenders ready to drive in with an army at any sign of weakness. Henry VIII, it can be argued, needed to make his position and his succession rock solid by having male heirs with an unquestioned right to the throne. To do that, he needed a queen without ANY question about the legality of her marriage and therefor her "inevitable" son's place in the line of succession. Katherine, the thorn in his side for so many years, was suddenly gone....just gone. Anne, though we can argue through no fault of her own, had failed to produce his necessary heir. Even if she did though, her son would still be vulnerable to attack from the anti-reform faction. Henry decided to clear the board and start over as he had just done with the English Church. It wasn't fair to Katherine and Mary. It wasn't fair to Anne and Elizabeth. It left young Henry, Duke of Richmond out in the cold, but it worked. Henry had a new, "blameless" queen and, in a year, a son with a rock solid claim to the throne. All he needed after that was the "spare" as he himself had been and all of Henry's dynastic plans would have been set in stone. Poor Anne was the victim of Henry's failed Plan B. When he regrouped and formed a new plan, there was no role for her and if she was still alive, she threatened the legitimacy of the next prince. In Henry and Cromwell's cold calculations, she had to go. They made a swift move against her and her supporters and surgically removed them. Cruel, ruthless, efficient and....successful, as they had done so often before to the enemies or even possible enemies of Henry's reformed English Church. The remainder of Henry's best laid plans came to naught and Cromwell came to grief two wives later. What might have happened though, if Jane had lived? That ruthless calculation might have paid off for both Henry and Cromwell.

Anne was regal in her reign and execution. Henry was a spoiled, egomaniac. Best to not be in his romantic sights. The Towers history is ever enduring. Thank you 😊😊

I've always found the use of propaganda among medieval and early modern rulers FASCINATING! The public tends to think of propaganda as an extremely modern concept (18th century if not more recent), but it has been a core tool of monarchy since the beginning. These displays are just as much about sending the correct message to the populace as they are about the events themselves. Anne's relationship with the tower is a great example of this, from the glory of her first stay positioning her as a queen to the despair of her second stay positioning her as an outcast

She was truly a brave soul. And super intelligent by today's standards. It's tragic that the very traits that attracted Henry were the same ones that brought about her downfall and made enemies. It is said that she failed to make the necessary transition from mistress to wife. RIP brave Anne. 👑🏰

"incontinent" in that time meant "quickly or immediately" - when I was at school we read a play (can't remember which one!) where one of the characters said "I will return incontinent" as you can imagine it caused huge hilarity! Love the video x

I have adored everything Anne Boleyn since I was a child, she was a remarkable woman, I even have her handwriting tattooed on my arm, Anne was innocent, her only crime, marrying a fickle and vain man. Thank you Dr Kat for your wonderful videos, I cant get enough, you make the past come alive

Visited the UK and the Tower in March this year, a great experience. I believe the swordsman for her execution makes it clear above all doubt, if any doubt there was, that the trail was a setup rather than an act of "mercy". Henry must have ordered for his coming before the trial even took place.

Everything I've read about Anne leads me to conclude she was a fiercely intelligent woman. I doubt she would have been foolish enough to engage in extramarital affairs. She was fitted up right and proper. Another victim of the temper and utter impatience (and arguably the gullibility) of one of the worst Kings ever to sit on the English throne. 👸🏰

I've never before heard that letter Anne wrote to the king, what a bombshell!! Fascinating times I can't stop exploring, but holy high heaven I'm so glad I live in these times and not those! 🏰

The way women in general were victimized by men in medieval times, and the way Anne and Katherine of Aragon were treated by Henry makes me so emotional. I love that Dr Kat did a anniversary post for Anne.

You have the most beautiful grammar! It is a pleasure to hear you speak English correctly!!!!

I am now binging on History after Dark. You guys are a hoot...so much laughing and naughty minds!

Henry strikes me as a narcissist so of course the lack of sons was the woman's fault. 🙄 Nothing was ever his fault. It's gratifying that he is remembered as a tyrant and that his tomb marker is only a simple black slab that anyone can walk over in St. George's Chapel at Windsor, rather than the elaborate memorial that he envisioned. Meanwhile, his unwanted daughter, Elizabeth, is remembered as one of England's greatest monarchs, and a magnificent effigy marks her grand tomb in Westminster Abbey. Anne would be pleased. 👑

Well done, as always. I have been semi-obsessed with Anne Boleyn ever since The Six Wives Of Henry The VIII played on PBS here in the US. I was delighted when I finally went on a trip to where I had / have friends and family residing and finding out that Hampton Court was walking distance; and then.... reading all the carvings in the stone walls of The Tower. ((shudder))

I’m watching on may 19, 2023 from here in California USA and it’s just surreal to me that we are able to carry on her memory nearly 500 years later … thank you so much for the beautiful video!!❤👑

Wonderful vid as always. It was fascinating to hear Annes letter to Henry. When he has repudiated a woman it is seemingly easy for him to move on and have no sympathy or emotions for the one he supposedly greatly loved. The Tower... such a treat to hear of the renovations that took place in Henrys time. Amazing edifice and history.

The fascination with the cruelty & injustice at the heart of the death Anne Boleyn when compared side by side with what appears to be a widespread disregard for the cruelty & injustice at the heart of the displacement, suffering and lonely death of Katherine of Aragon baffles me. It can only be ascribed to what I'd term deep seated misogyny. Anne was young - OK younger. She was a legendary beauty. She had glamour & renown. Desired by every man at court. Wyatt wrote one of the finest love sonnets ever penned in her honour did he not? "Whoso list to hunt" Look it up. It's about Anne. The line Noli me tangere for Caser's I am" - Latin for 'Touch me not I belong to the king." During the years when Anne, to put it bluntly, was playing homewrecker and luring the king with a very clever game of hard to get, Katherine is referred to by historians as being "old and fat and barren". So of course she had no worth to the narcissist king. Yet she apparently has no worth to modern interpreters of the period either - and for the very same reasons why she was deemed easily expendable by Henry. It is Anne's youth & beauty which makes her worthy of fealty in this modern day too. Katherine is not worth it because she had the temerity to get old. She was no longer an object of sexual desire to anyone. Therefore she had no social value and still does not. As I said - this is classic misogyny.

I love going to bed on Thursdays knowing there’s a lovely treat waiting for us all in the morning!🎅🏼 Your premieres are the light at the end of the tunnel of the work week 🥰🎉

Thank you, as always, for sharing your wealth of knowledge and your passion for Tudor history. This was well done. Cheers

The idea that Henry may have chosen the sword as a message is really intriguing! Almost as if to say that her French-ness is what killed her: "By French ways she lived [lasciviously] and by French ways she will die [the sword]." In that interpretation, the sword could also be a phallic symbol. Very intriguing! I feel like that would have appealed to Henry's mind. Thanks for another great video, Dr. Kat! 🏰

The only thing I can think of is a recent quote I heard.... "If it has tyres or t_sticles, it's gonna cause you trouble!". I feel so sorry for Anne, there wasn't anything I don't think she could have done differently, once she fell out of favour, the die was cast. But how she acted was with such bravery. Bless her always.

Such an eloquent lady and presenter

Each video you make about the Tudors scratches the itch to rewatch the whole TV show. I'll cave in eventually 😉

Another fantastic video, Dr. Kat! I love that you used the various images of the Tower to highlight areas where historical events happened/were referenced as it adds a wonderful visual frame of reference for even long time students of the Tudors. For my part the Tower of London will always be most associated with the Princes of the Tower mystery. But Anne Boleyn's association with it is certainly first runner up. 🏰👑

A wonderful presentation. And had « incontinence » meant the same thing then as it does today, you stated that « it would have made quite a mess. » This is why you are my favorite and most admired historian. Your wit is equaled by your immense understanding of the past.❤️

Dr. Kat. I found myself transported from Virginia, USA to the Tower (I visited in 2011) and envisioned the happenings there -- though they didn’t occur where the monument is in front of St. Peter Advincula. I loved this video with your visuals and can’t thank you enough for your work.👑

Thank you roe another wonderful idea. Dr. Kat. Woo to a women who puts her faith in men.😢

I absolutely adore your channel! Specially your Tudor content! Looking forward to this!😊😊❤❤

👸🏰 What an upside-down, sad way to live, always having to watch your back and every word you speak. Although I find her letter to Henry rather cryptic, it seems she handled herself with grace and dignity to the end. Thank you for another insightful video, Dr. Kat! 💖

LOVE YOU READING THAT LONG LETTER OF ANNES I NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE. IT TELLS YOU HER THINKING. I BELIEVE SHE WAS GREIVING FOR HER DAUGHTER.

Dr. Kat, your videos are always so engaging...and too short! LOL! Seriously, I could listen to you for hours..oh wait, I have! I've always found Katharine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn (as well as their daughters) four of the most fascinating figures of the Tudor era if not history. Looking forward to next week! 🌹👑

Always look forward to and love your videos, Dr. Kat. Was wondering if you could do an analysis on the recent coronation, i.e. what was traditional, what was new, the symbolism of certain parts of the ceremony, the significance of who sat where, etc. Thank you always for your exceptional work and insight.

Very interesting point about the French swordsman, I had not heard this theory before! One so often hears that it was a mercy gifted by Henry, but I like your theory much better. I don’t think Henry had it in him to be ‘merciful”.

🏰 👸 Outstanding Dr. Kat! I look forward to Fridays because I curl up on the couch and visit with Dr. Kat.❤

Another idea for a fascinating research project would be on the French swordsman was summoned to fulfill this task and indeed the one would execute Catherine Howard if there is enough information to compile for such a project.

I always found it weird that Henry VIII went through all that trouble to order a French swordsman for Anne's execution, but he never bothered to provide a coffin. And what's worse: NOBODY noticed that there was no coffin? NOBODY bothered to get one? Wasn't it Kingston's job to oversee the execution?

Dr. Kat thank you for your engaging presentations of Tudor history. 👑 🏰 🗡️

👑🏰 I had never considered that Henry hiring the swordsman had been anything other than a ‘kindness’ towards her death. However your idea of it also being a comment of her adultery & pointing to her French ways has merit that seems very Henry like. A message to those in the know, and a ‘show’ of kindness towards the woman that had supposedly betrayed him.

The Prince, absolutely!

🏰👑 I've never considered that the sword was an insult to Anne. Now, having always felt Henry just a selfish terd, I think execution by sword was indeed both insult and insurance for a clean execution. 👑🏰

Kat would you please someday talk about the mystery of where Anne Boleyn's heart is buried? Thanks!

I think you're right. Henry was a master propagandist who used the tower to project himself as a Divine Right monarch with absolute power. He declared to everyone that Anne was his rightful Queen by welcoming her to the tower before her coronation. By sending her to the tower to be incarcerated and executed, he was telling everybody that she was no longer his Queen. Great video!

I always felt the sword was a statement not mercy. Awesome video. Thank you.

👸Was there a point to Queen Anne's speech at her death, extolling the virtues of Henry VIII compared to the letter she wrote admonishing him? Im surprised that letter was not burned by him. Great video as always!

Many thanks for the fabulous video, Dr. Kat. Interesting, today I've spent quite a bit of time thinking about Anne Boleyn and her meteoric rise and even swifter downfall, but mostly, the injustice of it all. I've been sad all day. 🏰👑⚔⚰

Thanks for another interesting video, I always look forward to them 😄

Thank you for this very inciteful look at Anne Boleyn. I have always admired her strength, courage & independence.👸🌹

I enjoy listening to your informative videos on history and the Tudors! 👸

Dr.Kat's channel is brilliant! Educational, fascinating and fun. This is positively one of my favorite channels. Great video as always! ❤❤❤

Thank you for another informative video, Dr Kat! I think Thomas Cromwell was carrying out King Henry’s wishes. No matter how much Cromwell disliked Anne, there would have been no way he could have made these allegations against her and had her executed without the approval of Henry VIII. The King obviously just wanted Anne out of his life. Unlike Katherine, Anne didn’t have powerful foreign allies so Henry VIII did not have to worry about protracted negotiations - she was his subject so could be executed. He must have been a very cold man to be able to kill innocent men and his wife. Jane Seymour must have had nerves of steel to marry him after witnessing how he treated Anne Boleyn! 👸

I know I'm not the only one who wonders how innocent Anne truly was. To take her unjust punishment so gracefully... I dare say her belives must have been strong and kept her sane during her final days. Thank you so much for another thought provoking video. I enjoy them so much.👸

Re: that quote at 15:15, it actually says “he that saw it not, would not believe it” (my addition of the comma and modern spelling obviously). So I think what he’s saying is basically “you had to see it to believe it” or “ if you hadn’t seen it you wouldn’t believe it”.

Super interesting. Love the stories on history’s queens 👑

Hearing her final speech always puts a lump in my throat!

Your videos are always interesting! ❤

Excellent and moving video, the awful contrast between her entries into the Tower is still almost chocking. Thank you, you're my favorite history channel! 😊

One of the best videos I've ever seen on this topic! The maps comparison & reading the eyewitness accounts really brought it to life. I love this one! Thank you Dr. Kat.

I have always been fascinated by the wives of Henry VIII, especially Anne Boleyn. Thank you for the illustrations pointing out the actual locations within the Tower using illustrations showing what was there and what is there now. 👑👑👑

Thanks Kat! As always spectacular, interesting and delivered brilliantly!

I cannot imagine the feeling of betrayal, regardless of what you think of anyone involved, of coming in those gates where he had greeted her so joyfully? Lovingly? Whatever his motivations and feelings to be sent back there (by him) in just 3 short years, like that, is such a cruel irony.

Today, May 19th, 487 years on - we remember 🙏🌹🕊️

As your videos have always fascinated and enlightened I thank you for sharing your knowledge and interpretation. Many years since I have attended university, but these moments of clarity take me back with pleasure. Thank you

Absolutely delighted that May 19th converged on a Friday this year to produce this excellent video to mark the occasion 💕👸

👸🏼🤴🏼🐦‍⬛🐻‍❄️🐘🗡️🩸⚰️🏰👑💍👬🏼💂🏽‍♀️ These are some emoji’s that remind me of the Tower of London. I’m so glad I got to visit for the first time just last month. I spent a whole day (11-5) and still could have stayed longer at the tower. I loved London and can’t wait to go back.

Again another wonderful video. I never considered the French connection and potential deeper meaning behind the swordsman!!

Thank you again for a wonderful vid! ❤you! Also, could you talk about Ann’s scaffold speech a bit more. What was the thought about ‘making a good death’ vs justice at that time? Still curious.

I am 70 and my mother used to terrify us with the Anne Boleyn song with her head tucked underneath her arm….she had black hair and it was not only frightening but one of my most vivid memories of my mother…..which says a lot

👸🏻🏰. Brilliant episode once again. Must admit to missing my history news round ups but my dyslexic autistic brain really struggles to follow along with live steam videos and watching them back after never feels the same. But loving the content as always xx

You are the best Dr Kat. I cannot get enough of details on this topic, and the Tudor period. 👑

Wonderful video! Always enjoy these

I read that one of the women, appointed (by the jailer) to assist her , was named Stoner. I have no idea if that’s true but find it fascinating.

Wonderful video Dr Kat, thank you so much! 👑👸

As always, you educated your audience well, Dr. Kat! 👸

R.I.P Queen Ann Boleyn 👸🏰

Great mini documentary. Im a new subscriber! Thank you for a fantastic presentation, Dr. Kat. 🏰👑

Henry the 8th accusing Katheryn of Aragon, Ann Boleyn, and Katheryn Howard, of being unfaithful, or not having been virgins at the time he married them, is like the pot that called the kettle black.

Thank you Dr. Kat for another great and informative video. 👑 Rest in Peace Anne 🌹

From my studies of aquinas et al during my theology degree, I would guess that incontinence here means 'with a lack of restraint'. That's often how it was used when discussing sin, particularly sexual sin or concupisence.

Thank you 🏰 🤴

Fascinating breakdown as always! 😊

I wish I was watching this when it posted, but I was celebrating my birthday

As always I am enraptured with your sharing of subjects I am also passionate about!!!

Thank you 🦢🏰🪓

I drove past the Tower of London this morning while crossing tower bridge. It’s impressive.

I enjoy you and your context so much. Best regards.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and commentary about the history of this day, on this day. I always spend a moment to remember Anne Boleyn and these events on May 19. My heart clenches when I think of her in The Tower, her execution postponed yet again, and her thinking that she would be past her suffering by then.

Thanks for a great video you Rock Dr.Kat

I always feel sad for Anne, it is her fate that makes me think ill of henry. 🥺

I've always suspected that Anne was manipulated by her uncles into the Kings attention. Then manipulated by the King until and including her death. I feel sorry for her and suspect she tried not to be the 'homewrecker' until it was apparent that it was unavoidable.

🏰 Thank you!

Another great video. Thank you!

I think "incontinent" here (@12:40) may mean something like "not holding back," or "eager." I haven't checked the OED on this, but this is the sense given in the online etymological dictionary.