Anne Boleyn | The Downfall and Execution of a Tudor Queen

Anne Boleyn is the most famous Tudor Queen in history, and yet the causes for her arrest, then her trial and execution at the Tower of London remain hotly debated.
Anne’s meteoric rise to become the second wife of Henry VIII influenced the English Reformation, and she gave birth to the future Queen Elizabeth I. Henry and Anne’s marriage was even a love match. So how did it all end in one of the most dramatic downfalls in history?
Was Anne Boleyn guilty of the crimes laid against her, or was she the tragic victim of court politics?
What do you think?
In this mini-documentary Chief Curator Tracy Borman investigates the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn.
00:00 The downfall of Anne Boleyn
00:44 Was Anne Boleyn guilty?
01:40 Henry VIII meets Anne Boleyn
02:16 Anne Boleyn’s childhood
02:50 How did Anne influence the Reformation?
03:27 Thomas Cromwell
03:51 Anne and Cromwell’s relationship
04:30 Anne and Henry’s marriage
05:31 Anne Boleyn’s arrest
06:30 What were the charges against Anne?
07:44 Anne Boleyn’s trial
10:27 The execution of Anne Boleyn
11:08 Conclusion - What do you think?
To learn more about Anne Boleyn go to:
www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/anne-boleyn
Anne Boleyn: Aliona Baranova
Henry VIII: Nigel Allen
Thomas Cromwell: Simon Weir
Curator: Tracy Borman
Director: Matt Oliver
Producer: Claudia Strange
Film Editor: Matt Oliver
Image Credit: © National Portrait Gallery, London
Music: Will Stapleton

[@marnieenglish9400]

Hopefully her beautiful flowers will arrive at the tower today, as they do every year on this day. Its also my mums heavenly birthday today x 💖💖

[@auroralane8839]

Excuse meeee! Why is this not a fill length series of documentaries? Id love to see the other queens as well. It doesnt feel over the top, but more factual. Wonderful 😊

[@violetcris2232]

I didn't expect to see an army in the comments :3

[@skontheroad]

There are a few long, full episodes of it. Tracey retraces the steps of her last days.

[@joyceweir7060]

Basically, I think Anne could talk a good game, but she was not stupid. She knew that treason was treason, so she did not obviously give them a reason. They had to concoct the entire thing so that Henry could have the outcome that he wanted. I firmly believe that Anne was framed. The men who died for this outcome was collateral damage to achieve Henry's desires.

[@Momof4kidsand3dogs]

I think Anne did herself no favors in her treatment towards Princess Mary however. I too though, believe she was framed

[@Fionna.848]

Anne knew how to play the game and she had a sharp tongue that what got her in trouble

[@nicoleflemming2560]

ABSOLUTELTY agree! 💯 - She was extremely intelligent and I believed that she was framed! All for Henry to have the outcome that he did.

[@suzannesmith2204]

I believe that to be true too.

[@mnmb3640]

Henry was 100% behind the entire thing.

[@leticiagarcia9025]

Henry was a capricious, superstition and a cruel man. When Anne lost her baby, he easily used his superstitions as an excuse to get rid of his second wife. He scandalized Christendom to marry Anne. He wanted a son and he thought Jane could give him a son. Thomas Cromwell used this as a perfect excuse to get rid of Anne once and for all. That trial was a travesty of justice. All of these men knew that they were trumped up charges and judge her guilty anyway. If they didn’t they would lose their heads too. Anne Boleyn’s legacy lives on. This is what I think. Anne Boleyn is my favorite wife. Wonderful video. Thank you.

[@susanmccormick6022]

Thomas,not James.

[@leticiagarcia9025]

@@susanmccormick6022 I don’t know why I said James. TY I corrected it.

[@HelenTudor-Douglas]

You state, "Anne Boleyn is my favorite wife." Seriously? Anne was a home wrecker. She broke up Henry's TWENTY FOUR YEAR MARRIAGE with Catherine of Aragon which was, for the most part, a SUCCESSFUL, HAPPY MARRIAGE FOR DECADES. Henry jumped through a million hoops to have a son, only to have his daughter Mary eventually become Queen. Talk about IRONY! Why do people admire the mistress, rather than the devoted first wife? Morals out there anymore? Anyone???

[@historyloveriii2949]

@@HelenTudor-Douglas I agree! Queen Catherine did birth two sons! They could not help it if both boys died due to disease.

[@shawnnewell4541]

I never understood how her Uncle, the Duke of Norfork, participated in Anne's trial.

[@BwInNewJersey]

Saving his own head.

[@fairislecat6413]

Because women were legally subject to their men in those times, even high born women and Henry had another brood mare waiting in the wings. The Duke of Norfolk's position of power at court would have been far more important to him than the life of a mere women, even if she was his kin. Consider the honour killings of women in other parts of the world, it works on the same principle, that women are the property of men and carry the reputation and honour of the family. Any perceived dishonour committed is punished with death.

[@sarahholland2600]

Aristocratic women were objects to use, in arranged marriages to other powerful dynasties: to consolidate wealth & power bases. Anne wouldn't have had a choice, even if she didn't want to be with Henry , she'd have been told her duty was to put up & shut up, for the good of the family: who'd reap the benefits of wealth & power.

[@CountessKitten]

For money, power and self assurance

[@talosheeg]

Her downfall always pissed me off. She was BRILLIANT for her time and I hate her end. It was so unfair!

[@3DMasterST]

Henry was an absolute monster of a man.

[@nicoleflemming2560]

I agree 💯 She was so intelligent! Henry was a murderer and she was just one of the woman and men he murdered for his own gain!

[@nicoleflemming2560]

​@@3DMasterST💯💯💯💯

[@lizaldam2157]

Totally unfair. And her hideous husband went on ruining lives till his end.

[@winniedhaouadi1973]

No ine in that time likes intelligence

[@Magsomagpie]

I believe it was a plot to get rid of her by Henry. He couldn’t get divorced so he killed her.

[@Fionna.848]

No that's not what happen at all

[@MrTrev80]

@@Fionna.848 You know that 100% how?

[@PrincessPinkHeart2702]

Why couldn’t he divorce her?

[@Fionna.848]

@@PrincessPinkHeart2702 because it was his first divorce was Messy

[@nicoleflemming2560]

​@@Fionna.848 exactly 💯

[@LadyOliviaLiva]

Beautiful resume 👏🏻 As an historian myself, i think Anne was innocent ❤

[@nicoleflemming2560]

I agree 💯 I think she was DEFINITELY framed!

[@MidnightAndLuna]

I agree! I think she was too.

[@reluctantfangirl1621]

I think it is all there in her speach on the scaffold. She knew what Henry was capable of and that fighting it did her no good. She died with absolute dignity and that alone shows me that she was not an evil heartless harlot they make her out to be. It is a tragedy what Henry did to his wives. He was a serial murderer just with the means to get away with it.

[@nicoleflemming2560]

ABSOLUTELTY 💯 AGREE!!!! Perfectly said!

[@lizaldam2157]

I agree with you.

[@paloma4444]

People like you are so ignorant

[@IngePotzuweit-rb8ui]

Anne was ambitious and manipulating, and she was cruel to Queen Katherine and Princess Mary. She underestimated Henry and his obsession of begetting a son and heir

[@msher33]

Elizabeth Boleyn-Tudor got her courage from her mom

[@reluctantfangirl1621]

I theorize her ending the Tudor line was all as a symbolic way of getting back at her father for what he did to her mother. She was also close with Katherine Howard and proclaimed after her death that she would never marry.

[@msher33]

@@reluctantfangirl1621 Elizabeth Tudor saw marriage and romance for what it is. A scam to enslave women. Mary Stuart lost her throne because of her romantic involvement.

[@lucyosborne9239]

The thing that shocks me more than anything about the Boleyn family is Thomas Boleyn's behaviour. He literally spent his offspring like pieces on a chess board to gain power and riches for himself. Other than his wife, Elizabeth Howard, none of his family was spared by him. Nothing was too far beyond his morality if there was something to be gained in doing it. I once heard an epitaph of him, that there would be no one left in his family to attend his funeral other than the ghosts of his dead children. I sure hope it paid you very well, Earl of Rochford. You're going to need as many little pieces of paper bought from the Catholic Church to get you out of purgatory, though I doubt even you, Boleyn, had enough money to buy the indulgences to pay your way out of purgatory.

[@ivyrose779]

I’ve heard this story of him a lot but I don’t think he was any more power hungry than other courtiers. I believe there are letters where he talks about not wanting Anne to be with Henry.

[@Gazman011969]

Not as innocent as some would have you believe, she played the game and eventually lost. The Tudors were a truly fascinating dynasty.

[@DikSammer]

Anne Boleyn was the woman of the moment, but Henry VIII looked for any possible excuse to get her out of the way. He had grown tired of her because she wouldn't give him a son. I think she was NOT guilty.

[@regina4443]

Of cause, she wasn't

[@RavenKale]

I think that was a wonderful video!! More please ❤

[@jilltagmorris]

This was wonderful

[@sandyclark7181]

I believe Anne knew exactly what she was getting in to. Her family, father, was ambitious. He gave two daughters to the king. She wasn’t a naive person given her upbringing. Did she think Henry would murder her, I don’t think so. Visceral people back in the day. She definitely was set up.

[@raydawgms]

Just learned she's my 14th Great Aunt. You were a real one 🙏

[@LinseyBurt-hc4cu]

I believe it was Cromwell's doing for the most part. However, he got his with the arrangements concerning Ann of Cleves, when he told the painter to paint a picture of Ann that was not a true likeness of her.

[@yourfriendosky]

This is how WE MAKE A DOCUMENTARY THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE TEACHERS!! nah Srsly this documentary is better than the ones our teachers show us. This one is interesting with scenes to enjoy it i recommend watching these.

[@redemptivepete]

There's also money at the root of all this. Anne Boleyn wanted the proceeds of dissolution of the Abbeys to go to the poor and good works. Cromwell had promised to make Henry the richest King in christendom so her ideas fidnt suit either of them!

[@sahratudor]

Rest in peace my queen❤

[@jesusrolandohernandezperez4381]

Tenía un cuello muy hermoso

[@nicoleflemming2560]

Henry used Mary by saying he knew it what it was like to be the 2nd child born in the family. Then he goes on to use Anne knowing he would grow tired of her like he grew tired of every young/beautiful woman he brought to court! HE WAS A HORRIBLE MAN AND ANNE WAS FRAMED! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! GOD REST HER SOUL!!!

[@cyankirkpatrick5194]

Someone said that Catherine of Aragon was the only victim of KH 8 I say no way they were all victims even his children and his own illegitimate children were all victims of his crazy aspirations.😭😟😢🌹🕊️🙏✝️☦️ Rest in peace to all of them including the one who actually cheated on him

[@soniceight6924]

The charges that Anne Boleyn got levelled upon, is broadly agreed by most historians, that it is false and did not merit any truth at all. For me, Anne Boleyn downfall came about by both Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell. During the latter years, before the death of Anne Boleyn, it was known that both Cromwell and Anne did not share the "amicable" relationship they once had; Cromwell's had enormous leverage over how the English Justice operated (due to him being a lawyer before acting as Henry VIII Chief Minister) and used that to his advantage to get a easy and quick "fair" trial about Anne Boleyn's supposed treason and adultery. However, at this stage, Anne Boleyn fell victim to her own tactics, which she used agaisnt Catherine of Aragon; and Henry instead took a liking for Jane Seymour and quite ironically it is the same "lust" for another women that brought Catherine of Aragon down similar to her. To conclude, Thomas Cromwell saw this an opportunity to get a rival out of the way in court and Henry VIII at this stage was fed up and "done" with Anne Boleyn wanting to move on to marry Jane Seymour and to try to get a male heir he so desired for; so a win win for both Cromwell and Henry VIII. That is what I primarily believe, about the downfall and execution of Anne Boleyn.

[@hamzagrimeh3264]

Today is the 487th anniversary of Anne Boleyn's execution

[@mnmb3640]

Henry was 100% behind the entire plot. He sent for the swordsman before she was even accused. That is not coincidence. Also, after his head injury from the fall from his horse, he most likely had some sort of brain damage- which as many know now, can literally alter a persons behavior.

[@ivyrose779]

Exactly! I don’t see the swordsman mentioned much.

[@cassieTibbs20215]

I think it was a little bit of both. Henry was tired of no sons. And miscarriages. Thomas saw her as a threat. So they tag teamed. That’s why Henry didn’t think twice killing Thomas later. He knew he was crooked too. Anne wasn’t perfect. But I have no doubt she was innocent except her attitude at times. And the musician Thomas was tortured until he said what they wanted 😢

[@susanmccormick6022]

Cassie Tibbs:Yes,poor Mark.First tortured,then barbarically executed.Unlike the others,because they were of the nobility.

[@faisalatcha1783]

Why is the day of arrest rushed? Wasn't she taken back to her suite of rooms for dinner before the council arrived with the arrest warrant?

[@christinewells-leddon9287]

In a word: Brilliant!

[@marialuke8679]

😢😢😢😢oh my goodness!!!They was conspiring against her !!!

[@AngeliqueVampir2]

4:24 Of course he did. When Anne got executed, it was his own fall also, since Henry were still a catholic in his head, and Anne weren't there to protect Cromwell from making other mistakes..

[@ladymeghenderson9337]

Anne was innocent, her only "crime" was her failure to give the king a son, back then she would have been considered responsible for this failure.

[@TawnyC_]

But they knew she wasn't responsible. That's why charges of adultery, incest and treason were created against her. Nobody had the guts to go against the king. If they did... 🗡

[@jasperhorace7147]

As Catherine had been before her.

[@blue_egret]

I wish you had put "crime" inside quotation marks

[@ladymeghenderson9337]

@@blue_egret better?

[@LilFoxyCosplay]

Anne persuaded henry to disown mary and was equally harsh to katherine I think i saw somewhere she also joked with one man could have her if henry died which was treason even if it wasnt serious (it was treason just to say you didnt like the king so not exactly a safe time) While to an extent she was definitely innocent i dont believe she was completely blameless She made henry cut ties with the church causing damage and scandal over a promise she could give him a son

[@ivyrose779]

She was harsh with Mary but she didn’t make him cut ties with Rome. He would’ve done it no matter who it was.

[@PLuMUK54]

In my opinion, one of the main issues with Anne Boleyn was that she was ahead of her time in England. At several European courts intelligence and learning were highly prized, hence her own education. In England, few held this view, Thomas More being an outlier rather than the norm. Whilst no blue stocking, Anne's level of intelligence probably upset many men of the court. They would have preferred a more malleable female. In addition, Anne had an arrogance, enjoying every opportunity of showing how much more intelligent she was compared to others at court. This included the King. Her intelligence was something to be proud of, but it needed tempering with wisdom. Anne lacked this, and so pushed herself forward, where a wiser person would have known when to hold her own thoughts to herself. After all, she had seen how cruel Henry could be, and how fickle the court was. Henry might have accepted much from Anne had he received, in return, the thing that he most wanted, a son. However, when it appeared to him at least that she would not do this, then he would turn against her. It was not a matter of if, but when. Henry did not organise Anne's downfall, nor, probably, did he openly speak of his desire to be free, but a few words in the correct ear, probably Cromwell's because he had the most to lose, would have been enough. The charges against Anne were, most likely, lies and twisting of the truth. This did not matter. Her judges knew the risks of not following this through to the desired end. Anne had to go, the means were only a side issue. It was a tragedy that a Queen of such intelligence was disposed of, but at least England benefitted from her daughter as Queen, quite possibly the most intelligent of the country's monarchs.

[@AzumiRM]

"most traumatic in history" is an overstatement. There are other countries in the world who couldn't care less. I don't know anyone back home that has ever heard of henry VIII.

[@BethanyMartin-iq1ey]

Anne Boleyn isn’t my favourite Queen. I personally prefer Jane Seymour, but I do admire Anne’s intelligence and bravery. In my opinion, she was never guilty of all those horrible charges and I believe Henry really loved her and she him once she’d realised the depth of his passion for her. Henry just got fed up with Anne (as he expected her to be a silent and obedient wife once they were married) and as soon as he had the chance, he got rid of her. And their daughter Elizabeth became the better ruler than Henry could ever be.

[@bluevioletandlilac]

Both Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn are fucking martyrs, both dealing with the toxic whims of Henry, who's never been told no once in his life.

[@scott6828]

Whatever happened to the "B" necklace that Anne Boleyn wore?

[@dianamarquez4774]

She was jealous of Katherine and Princess Mary. She was cruel to Mary. Too much credit is given to her regarding the Reformation and Cromwell blamed for Anne's death. There were other factors which caused her downfall. And Henry got fed up with her.

[@bearhakuna514]

narcissistic king Henry is more too blamed not the women

[@debrakleid5752]

I think her downfall was due to a couple of reasons and 1 is that she never gave birth to a male heir and after the birth of Elizabeth 1 she only had miscarriages. The other was Cromwell noticing that the relationship with Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn was strained and he pounced after Ann’s comment to him about the money from the Reformation. I don’t think she realized that her murder was even a possibility especially all he went through to divorce Catherine of Aragon.

[@lucid1305]

The accusations made against her were bollocks and that trial was B.S

[@suzannesmith2204]

No way it wasn't Queen Anne Boleyn's fault at all but rather her Uncle The Duke Of Norfolk because he only cared about power so he puts his own Niece in the sights of King Henry VIII. THEY WERE ALL INNOCENT.

[@makenzee_123]

WHAT MOVIE??

[@nicoleflemming2560]

HENRY was a horrible man and Anne was definitely framed just so he could go find another woman to use!

[@Emilyb21-dm3bf]

They wanted to break from Rome she was used as a scape goat

[@Calla-sl8gd]

I believe that the jury was rigged against Anne from the beginning. Henry was a ruthless man who would kill anyone to get what he wanted, when he wanted. And what he wanted was Anne to be gone from his life. In addition, I also believe this video makes light of at least one fact: Henry did have a son with Katherine of Aragon. Unfortunately, the boy lived only a handful of days. I hope this fact was passed over only because this was meant to be a short video, not an all-inclusive one. After all, the birth of Elizabeth was not even mentioned.

[@ethanmillersmashups1103]

these men need to burn in hell for How They Treated Anne and I hope Henry suffers for what he did

[@lTha208l]

So basically the Church of England was made because the king wanted some young poon lmao

[@winniedhaouadi1973]

She was a wonderful woman i feel Some People were ver jelious of her

[@nancyM1313]

💕👸🏻💕

[@sultansultan9949]

cromwell face the same punishment he had planned for HRM Queen Anna Boleyn I wonder if Cromwell had regret what he did to her

[@winniedhaouadi1973]

Vety intelligent woman Love hrr Widh i was there in that ti.e

[@winniedhaouadi1973]

What evil king

[@regina4443]

The lord will judge everyone. Henry had a son, but he died also young, without produce a heir!! Tudorqueens also and the Tudor dinasty failed!

[@notyourbusiness99450]

She was just born a woman in wild times

[@eduardpena6580]

If I had a Time Machine I would travel back to every execution of Medieval English nobles. I would try to find out who the axe men were and how they got the job of executioner. History never talks about them at length.

[@winniedhaouadi1973]

So funny Her kids and grand kids are now at thrown

[@bridgettehutton646]

Henry was a murderer, a criminal and a dictator. He had no respect for women I hope he is burning in hell where he truly belongs.How could she be the queen and is so brazen to be having sexual relationship with so many men even her own brother is mind boggling. A plethora of lies were told on her so that the sexual pervert could move on to the next fling. I believe he had gonorrhoea are syphilis hence the death and miscarriage of so many babies!!

[@liliesperance81]

Le roi henri 8 a laissé des écrits. Il dit que Anne svait les yeux noirs. Et cette femme non. Ensuite il dit que Anne est bronzée et cette fait que porter des habits foncés

[@valkyriesardo278]

Anne's fate was poetic justice and richly deserved. The only wronged woman in Henry's life was Catherine of Aragon. The king would not have bothered with Anne if Catherine could have given him a son. For one thing, the people loved Catherine and hated Anne's adultery.

[@biancabrookes5731]

Anne’s fate was not poetic justice. She didn’t set out to be Queen. Henry VIII kept pursuing her. In the end the real poetic justice is that Anne Boleyn was never forgotten and produced Elizabeth I.

[@Sabrinajaine]

I really don't know what to tell you if you think someone deserved to be executed for something they didn't do. She did not commit adultery. She died an innocent woman. I'm not denying that Catherine of Aragon was wronged, but to say she's the only wronged woman in his life is preposterous - and that's not even including the two wives he had killed! For example, he ordered Margaret Pole, an elderly woman who had done nothing wrong, executed simply because he couldn't get to who he really wanted (her son).

[@winniedhaouadi1973]

He killed here The evil 8

[@Dee-mj3pu]

Married & beheaded in 3 months. Adultery wasn't a "brilliant" move.

[@Sabrinajaine]

? They were married three years. And she didn't commit adultery.

[@Miraclelifemusic]

People are so stupid like of course Anne Boleyn would show love for George that is her brother like I love my brother but I don’t want to sleep with him

[@patriciafeeney]

i think that ann boleyn was innocent she did try to have children with henry and henry was cruel i dont thnik she should have been killed

[@eveb.6568]

horrible

[@annabellarteaga5455]

Don’t get involved with a married men and the curse won’t falling you.

[@yossyxo]

x

[@charnelisserivera099]

She wasn't an angel, karma got to her.

[@다미최-w5b]

She was black not white and I am talking pitch black.

[@anastasiajohnson6794]

No, she wasn’t.

[@다미최-w5b]

@@anastasiajohnson6794 I was being sarcastic. In the latest film of her life she is played by a very black actress, which I find quite absurd.

[@AlexandraWolf-ql6bi]

The actors portraying Anne and Henry leave a lot to be desired.

[@Job-y8o]

Henry chose poorly 6 times.

[@cheri-gh6jc]

I think they would have been good choices for other men. To me, Henry was the problem/ poor choice

[@brklynbitches]

So was she really guilty of adultery or not?

[@winniedhaouadi1973]

Vety intelligent woman Love hrr Widh i was there in that ti.e