Anne Boleyn's Execution

Welcome to Day 7, the final day of my special Anne Boleyn Week series of videos. Today, on the anniversary of Queen Anne Boleyn’s execution, I pay tribute to her by recounting the tragic events of 19th May 1536. Join me as I delve into the details of her final moments, her dignified scaffold speech, and the aftermath of her execution. I'll also explore the ritualistic nature of execution speeches in the Tudor era and how Anne's words and demeanour reflected this tradition. Finally, we'll touch upon the immediate consequences of her death, including Henry VIII's swift betrothal to Jane Seymour.
Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe to The Anne Boleyn Files for more historical insights and detailed discussions about one of history’s most fascinating queens.
#AnneBoleyn #TudorHistory #HenryVIII #ElizabethI #TheAnneBoleynFiles #AnneBoleynWeek #HistoricalDocumentary

[@marypagones6073]

I am sure Anne was thinking of the safety of her daughter in her diplomatic scaffold speech, and her intelligence and strength certainly lived on in her daughter. The injustice and horror of this judicial murder still stings.

[@annalong1260]

488 years later and it's still so devastating

[@cfa7310]

I agree!

[@alancumming6407]

She met her final day with courage, dignity and grace. Thank you Claire for producing this memorial week.

[@elanabethfariss117]

I absolutely love your delivery Claire, so much tenderness and compassion. If Anne could read your books and hear what you had to say I think she would feel so honored. Thanks so much for everything that you do!

[@BlackCatMargie]

Claire, you do a fine job, meddling in Anne's cause. I think she would be very touched by the sensitive and informative way you teach people about her story, on this day and always. Blessings upon Anne, George, all the victims of May 1536, their loved ones and dependents. May they all rest in peace.

[@Shane-Flanagan]

May 19th 2024 488 years on. We remember. RIP Anne Boleyn 😢🙏🌹👑

[@leticiagarcia9025]

History has vindicated her. R.I.P. Queen Anne Boleyn 🌹

[@jackietowner7169]

I still think it amazing that people could just appear to calmly go through the ritual of mounting the scaffold and wait for the axe to fall. I suppose that shows the level of faith that people had in those times. I hope it would of given Anne some comfort.

[@octavianpopescu4776]

Their dignity before death is something that I find deeply impressive. I guess it would feel surreal knowing that you're going to your execution. You know that feeling of "I can't believe this is happening" and you're just calmly doing what you're supposed to, but you're stunned that what is happening is real? I don't know much about Anne, but I have read quite a lot about Jane Grey and looking at her final months and days, it seems to me that on the exterior she's calm, but looking at a prayer she wrote herself, at letters she wrote, I got the impression that she felt scared, desperate, angry, powerless and suicidal, a whirlwind of feelings, jumping from one to the other. By suicidal, I'm not saying she wanted to end her own life, but she wanted to die, for it to just be over, she just gave up on life. Her prayer can be basically boiled down to "God, please don't leave me and give me strength not to lose my cool before the axe falls, to pass Your test". I assume a lot of people, including Anne, must have felt that way before their execution.

[@wednesdayschild3627]

People used to die a lot. They prepared themselves for it. I am trying to take a lesson.

[@glen7318]

@@wednesdayschild3627 and they dont die so much now?

[@lorrainecrawford7472]

Thank you Claire for all the videos this week. Rest in peace Ann Boleyn.

[@cathryncampbell8555]

Thank you, Claire, for yet another fascinating video. I notice that while Anne recognized the authority of her sentence, she did not actually admit to committing the crimes of which she was accused. She delicately 'danced' around that by admitting that she was a sinner -- as every Christian is. I do wonder if Anne's praise of Henry was both ironic & motivated by concern for the survival of her parents & child?

[@wednesdayschild3627]

They believed in Divine right of kings, so God chose the king and a good Christian submitted to God. I think she really believed the king was supposed to be over the church.

[@katemaloney4296]

Anne came to the throne with the English people against her but died with the very same people sympathizing with her plight. In fact, Henry's popularity started to plummet after Anne's murder. The people saw him for the blood thirsty narcissist that he was. After the brutal executions of Katherine Howard and Anne Askew, I think the people were relieved when Henry died. I like to think Anne got her revenge for the rest of Henry's life.

[@margaretsieger2862]

Anne watched her daughter achieve the near impossible from Heaven.

[@TEMindset83702]

Anne Boleyn died with courage and grace.

[@teribelyea9340]

She was worried for Elizabeth.

[@darlenefarmer5921]

Thank you for explaining the calmness of folks making speeches prior to their executions. Surely, there were other executions of folks who were anything but calm. Thanks again.

[@sassytbc7923]

Claire, thank you for some very interesting videos this past week.

[@simon112]

A fitting tribute to Queen Anne, she died with grace and dignity,she was innocent of the charges brought against her, a truly remarkable courageous lady.

[@andieleigh9376]

Hi Claire, I read somewhere that Anne’s ladies were not permitted to take her body right away and that it lay on the straw for some time before they took her. Is that true? Also, did she remain clothed in the attire she’d chosen or did they undress her like Mary Queen of Scots? I’ve seen reproduction of you execution outfit and so wonder if she’d been buried in that. I really wish King Charles would allow forensic anthropologists to locate her and do a facial reconstruction so we can finally see what she truly looked like. Henry was evil destroying all trace of her.

[@MJ-Fangirl-]

Great live tonight!!!

[@JamesVaughan]

I think if I were about to be beheaded by an axe, I’d be praying that I’d suffer only one chop. Many were not so lucky…I think of Margaret, Countess of Salisbury who was horribly mangled by an inexperienced executioner, and the Duke of Monmouth, who was practically turned into chopped meat by the notorious executioner Jack Ketch…..

[@carolkonrath6899]

Claire, I tried to thank you for the live chat but my computer froze. I wrote:" Thank you for this live chat, Claire! I've learned so much from you! There are so many videos about Anne and the rest of the Tudors but I suspect they are woefully uninformed. You are truly a treasure!!". Thank you again!!

[@anneboleynfiles]

Aw, thank you and thank you for your wonderful questions.

[@sylviaroberts2097]

Claire my candles are lit for this brave Queen, your videos are brilliannt❤❤

[@jobes4525]

This brave, beautiful woman, wrongfully accused. Much love & respect for her ❤️ TY, Claire for this video. :)

[@miladyblue5077]

Anne did indeed triumph, despite May 19, 1536. In every portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, Anne's eyes look back at the viewer.

[@Absynthe12]

I think many of us grieve Anne Bolyne's death. Though we did not know her. She has made her mark on the royyal family.

[@pollydolly9723]

Claire, you have outdone yourself! Brilliant week of presentations and live videos. See you tomorrow ❤

[@Sabrinajaine]

I hope that the single stroke meant that Anne did not feel too much pain. RIP Queen Anne ❤ Thank you Claire for this week's videos.

[@elanabethfariss117]

I feel like it would have been, since the swordsman deliberately took her by surprise, made her turn her head and it was over very quickly.

[@lemongrabloids3103]

She was SO brave 😢❤

[@cherrytraveller5915]

I can’t imagine what was going through her head in those last few days. It would have taken so much courage to hold her head up high. But by this point she probably just wanted it over with

[@theresalaux5655]

Yes Claire, you have outdone yourself. Thank you for all of your hard and sad work😢

[@cindyrobinson3077]

Thank you for this❤️❤️❤️ thanks for reminding us they were real and how horrific what they went thru

[@sixeses]

Thanks Claire. A sad day indeed

[@giraffequeen9437]

I got emotional watching this. Queen Anne was a remarkable woman

[@sarahfellows6608]

Thank you Claire for all your hard work and for keeping anne memory alive❤ R. I.. P queen anne ❤❤

[@alisonboydell7143]

Thank you for this week .It as been so enthralling .Could i please ask you dis she mention the may blooms on the tree.

[@philcrawford7760]

Claire is there a book that has Anne speechs

[@JiminPalmSprings]

If you believe in an afterlife… I think it’s rather possible Henry VIII had a gigantic bill to pay when he went to heaven… That he had a lot to answer for …he was a criminal murderer in the guise of a king.

[@janvan113]

I wish Anne could know how she is still so respected, honored, and mourned. Hundreds of years later people are still talking about her, fascinated by her, and sympathize with her. That is no small feat. She left an indelible mark, although sadly a life abruptly ended before it should have. Thank you Claire for all you do to keep these historical and fascinating stories alive for everyone. 💞

[@lauramason5667]

Beautiful tribute for Queen Anne. ❤ I shall wear my B necklace tomorrow to my Episcopal Church and think of the lady who inspired this sacred space.

[@wcfheadshots240]

Are we supposed to believe that she calmly said all of this on the scaffold? I'd be horrified that I'm being murdered, fear would be overwhelming.

[@jfm1795]

Excellent commentary as always. Thanks, Claire.

[@Lyndell-P]

Indeed! "REST IN PEACE" 🕊 Queen Anne Boleyn and "GOD BLESS" 🙏 her soul, for she is not forgotten, all these years later, and even PROVEN (by many) to have been totally innocent of ALL of the the charges that took her (and the others) to that dreadful death. Here in the 21st Century we 'honour' Queen Anne Boleyn and remember her. With "many thanks" to a lady who took it upon herself (with others) to look into Anne Boleyn's life and death, so that we (too) could know the women she was. On this very sad 😔 day of remembrance of Queen Anne Boleyn, I (for one) say "Thank you" Claire for all that you have done, and continue to do. With much love to you and yours (always) from Lyndell xx 💓🫂

[@christinestudley3982]

Thankyou Claire for all you’ve done this week , your live stream was great last night. RIP Queen Ann ✨

[@Tessa-dg4no]

Anne was a lovely person and a lovely queen Tess and a good mother also❤

[@nancyhilliard1634]

RIP Queen Anne❤️

[@janicebone6191]

Hi Claire, thankyou for your erudite words. Fantastic as always.

[@lynnround7779]

Thank you so much Claire for the information and videos this week ! I enjoyed your Q and A last night ! take care and all the best to you and Tim from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 xx

[@ezinneimoh4762]

RIP ANNE Loved forever and always x

[@laetitiavisagie-gg6kk]

I cannot comprehend "the most gentle prince"

[@annamcuthbert3993]

I agree

[@heatherstephens9295]

@@Elizabethsimms111absolutely 👍👍

[@krystaylor1313]

I think she was talking about Jesus but I could be wrong. Thats the only thing that would make sense to me.

[@kathrynhoward9738]

​How did kathryn go for the jugular ( serious question) because the Culpepper speech at her execution has been proven false 🎉​@@Elizabethsimms111

[@kathrynhoward9738]

​How did Kathryn go for the jugular? Im confused because we all know she never said anything about Culpepper on the scafford ( Historians including Claire has said its false) im confused about what you mean x​@@Elizabethsimms111

[@jol4342]

Poor Anne Boleyn. Rest in peace. 🌹

[@wednesdayschild3627]

Sad...it was a travesty of justice. We can see from a distance that Henry was capable. She didn't know what he was capable of. He certainly had no mercy for Catherine.

[@Tessa-dg4no]

Anne

[@carolrondou6161]

I wonder what Queen Anne would think if she could see us "meddling in her cause"?

[@junecaffyn357]

Thank you Claire, I have been mad about the Tudors ever since I was like 12 years old from History class at Secondary School and bought lots of books about it. Anne Boleyn was my favourite as I felt she was wrongly accused and I blame Henry V111 and his Chief Minister, Cromwell. What I cannot understand was Elizabeth 1 seemed to have so much love for Henry V111 - yet he murdered her Mother - who can forgive that?

[@octavianpopescu4776]

Maybe I'm biased saying this, because I'm not a fan of Elizabeth, but I see her as Henry VIII part 2 in terms of character, not Anne Boleyn part 2. She did have a fond memory of her mother, but her father was closest to her in terms of character. I know it's an unpopular opinion and I know she's everyone's darling. Consider this: her own best friend, Robert Dudley married in secret. If your best friend is afraid to tell you he's getting married, what does that say about you as a person? If there's an epidemic of people getting married in secret at your court, because you won't let anyone marry, what does that say about you? (other examples: Katherine Grey and Mary Grey) She was a competent ruler, true (although I'd give people like Cecil and Walsingham a lot of credit for that), but on a personal level I see a lot of her father's unpleasant side. Or consider what she did to Mary, Queen of Scots... it's actually worse than Henry's MO. She pretended not to want to execute Mary, but she did want to murder Mary in secret (Sir Amias Paulet, the one who had custody of Mary refused to murder her saying this: "God forbid that I should make such a shipwreck of conscience, or leave so great a blot to my poor posterity, to shed blood without law or warrant") and after the execution Elizabeth wrote a letter to James acting like she had nothing to do with it.

[@lindsaydelic9437]

thank you so much .. I think Anne was a very interesting and exceptional woman of her time. I feel very sorry for her and the 5 men that died with her. i am waiting to see what you will do next as this will be quite hard to follow

[@marieclapdorp2580]

Almost at 70K subs. Fingers crossed for you. I want to see that trivia challenge.

[@suzannejones5992]

You've made me cry.

[@anneboleynfiles]

Sorry!

[@suzannejones5992]

@@anneboleynfiles it just goes to show, even with the passing of time, some wrongs are still so emotive. Makes you think, eh?

[@richardjames3022]

RIP Queen Anne

[@carolynnr.6409]

ANNE WAS INNOCENT OF THESE CRIMES!

[@BoPeep8]

Dear Claire, shortly after Henry VIII’s hasty marriage-or perhaps engagement?-to Jane Seymour, the King cautioned her to ignore the song circulating about them. Has any information survived about the song and its lyrics? I'd love to know what they were.

[@teresalatiolais8477]

RIP Queen Anne, you had the last mic 🎤 drop in the end with your daughter ruling England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. You I think was a woman ahead of her time

[@pbohearn]

That was a very moving account of anne’s execution, her last day of life. She certainly composed herself in a most poised and regal way, seemingly at peace on a day that must have been unreal to her. I don’t know if this is true, but I heard that the prayer she was saying at the end of her speech she repeated it over and over while her head was on the block until he brought the sword down on her kind of like meditation. I got hooked on the tudors at young because I want to see the movie, “Anne of 1000 days,“ which is a fictionalized history starring the French actress Genevieve Bujold. what stuck with me and again totally fictionalized, but was so haunting was the last scene was the day of execution and although I don’t think they showed that, the very last shot was a little princess Elizabeth standing alone, seemingly near the execution site and when it was over, turns and walks away, and that was the end. That last moment just hit me like bricks and I’ve been addicted to tudors since lol

[@glen7318]

there was no block

[@susancaleca4796]

When a King dies does he leave money to his personal servants? Or any property to any servants

[@maryw246]

Every year on this horrible anniversary, I raise a glass to Queen Anne.

[@raysand2557]

Were Anne Boleyn’s parents present at her execution? What a conundrum: you want to be near your child at their worst moment of despair, but you don’t want to witness their ghastly execution. To this day, I don’t understand how people enjoyed such a spectacle, but apparently they did.

[@maryannlockwood7806]

I often wonder why her parents weren’t allowed to at least visit her one more time but I guess things were different back then. I know it’s not nearly the same, but I don’t know how people can watch boxing matches.💁🏻‍♀️

[@raysand2557]

@@maryannlockwood7806 I didn't know that her parents weren't allowed to visit her, but not suprised. Henry was an singularly cruel man. He didn't allow his own daughter Mary to visit her own mother even when she was sick and needed her mother's comfort.

[@coletterice]

I know the speech was standard issue, but when I hear what a good and gentle prince HVIII was and how well he treated her, I can't help but wonder if there was a tiny hint of irony as she was standing on the scaffold. Going out of her way to praise him and leaving the crowd to ponder this good and gentle man sending his wife to her death. I'm sure it wasn't meant to be ironic, but I love the idea that she could have made her point without saying anything that could be reported back and hurt her family.

[@denisehill7769]

I like to think that Anne is remembered with affection and respect; whereas Henry tends to be remembered as a monstrous tyrant. And yes, Anne's daughter became one of our greatest monarchs. Anne, your blood was indeed vindicated. xxx

[@cindyrobinson3077]

Her ladies that were there at her execution, were they the same ones who spied on her in the tower?

[@baseliacaliga425]

I believe they were, as her former ladies and friends weren't allowed to accompany her on her last journey.

[@BlackCatMargie]

Q. Claire, do you think Henry would have annulled his marriage to Catherine, if Anne had agreed to just be his mistress? Would he have sought out another potential wife for his Great Matter, I wonder?

[@sylviaroberts2097]

Claire my candles are lit for this brave Queen, your videos are brilliannt❤❤