DIGGING UP ANNE BOLEYN and others | Burials in the Chapel of St. Peter Ad Vincula | History Calling

[@HistoryCalling]

Do you think Anne Boleyn and the other execution victims buried near her ought to be disinterred again, or left as they are? Let me know below and you can also find me at: BUY MY BOOK (Find Your Irish Ancestors Online): amzn.to/3Z2ChnG Website (with 2 FREE DOWNLOADS): www.historycallingofficial.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/historycalling Amazon storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/historycalling Instagram: instagram.com/historycalling/

[@papayaking2214]

Of all England’s queens, I love and respect Anne the most. If the Queen can be respectfully disinterred and identified conclusively, it would be a wonderful accomplishment. And I believe she should have a tomb built fitting of her office. As it stands, the Victorians did their best but we are not left with any firm answers. These people are historical figures but they were living beings and that fact should never be forgotten. It would be so satisfying to be able to have a facial reconstruction performed on Queen Anne, so Henry’s attempt to erase her from history will have failed miserably.

[@christinam3700]

It would be great to have more information on her, and the others but,, IMO, unless there's a reason, such as restoration of some kind, they remains should be left alone.

[@ChaiCrimes]

Disenterred and I wish they'd use her as an example for domestic violence.

[@chickasawstarrmountain9747]

I wish they would exhume Elizabeth 1 to see what she died from.

[@graphiquejack]

I can understand the instinct to respect the remains of the dead, however, in such a significant case as this, I think the positives outweigh the negatives. The answers we could gain from having her remains examined by scientists with the technology they now have, would be significant in our understanding of her history. I’m not overly sentimental about bones from a body of someone dead for almost 500 years. In a way, we owe it to her legacy to discover the truth.

[@kaylovesdisney4582]

It's a difficult one. While I believe that Anne and the others should be left in peace, there is a part of me that feels that Anne deserves to be given back her identity (as it were), since Henry (is said to have) had all of her images and portraits destroyed. I would love a facial reconstruction done of her.....I thought the one done of Richard III was amazing! However, all the debate and discussions on what she may have looked like keeps us talking, thus keeps her memory alive. 🌹👑

[@HistoryCalling]

I loved the reconstruction of Richard too. It was so like his portraits, which oddly enough I didn't quite expect as you never know how accurate those painters were, especially if you're dealing with copies of lost originals. Yes, I think Anne's memory will live on for a very long time yet.

[@AlicenLyne]

I wish they would dig her up and a reconstruction providing they haven’t deteriorated more. I want to know exactly what she looked like.

[@a.munroe]

I'm on the fence to. But my inner romantic wants to defy the pettiness of a bunch of plotting old fuddy duddies. They are part of the reason we have to piece together so much of women's history.

[@denisehill7769]

I feel the same; they've already been disinterred twice, as far as we know, and should be left to rest in peace - but at the same time I too would love a facial reconstruction. Of all of the available skulls, not being greedy much! I felt a great sadness while listening to the narration, of all of those lives being taken by force; and while age should not matter, it is so sad for those who died too young. Their memories at least are respected.

[@NomaddUK]

I fully agree. It would be great to see her face in reality but again unfair to disturb her again. Either way I pray she rests peacefully and is under God's grace. I would also like to thank her for providing her daughter Elizabeth as our queen even though she will not read this.

[@ariadneschulz8822]

I'm an Archaeologist and my specific degrees are in Palaeopathology meaning I am trained to estimate demographic information and examine skeletal pathologies. I'm mostly through this video but I'll try to answer the two major questions that came up. Carbon dating *is* pretty awesome but depending on when the materials are actually from it might not be all that specific. And we do have a ton of other methods of determining deposition dates. Coins are pretty helpful, there's also some artifacts which preserve and really nail down culturally when a deposition is from. Pottery is pretty great for that. To a degree you can also examine stratigraphy and how features cut into one another. I would imagine that is what happened in this case. It's also possible he did have some artifact that he just didn't mention. Regarding taphonomy and development ... okay so this gets weird. Yes, certain soils do wear away at human bones and it's not unheard of to go into what is clearly a grave and find basically nothing there and no evidence of disturbance just because the soil has broken down the bones to that extent. In some cases you can also have that plus crushing or animal and plant activity. From the descriptions here it does sound like this kind of interment would be pretty destructive to skeletal remains. BUT if Katherine Howard's age was between 15 and 17 and if the adult female skeletons present were reasonably well preserved unless she was in a super acidic place it would be weird for nothing to remain. At her age she would still have likely had what we call epiphyseal scars which are where the ends of the bone have fused to the shaft but the seams aren't entirely obliterated yet, but her long bones with the exception of her medial clavicles would have been at least mostly fused. If she was at the lower end of that age range it's possible the epiphysis and diaphysis would still be distinct but both would have been bone rather than cartilage. So she would have had more cartilage than a full grown adult but it's not like teens are walking around on floppy skeletons made entirely of cartilage. What IS a contributory factor is that Bone Mineral Content (BMC) doesn't peak until about 35 years of age and most of the adult females interred here seem to be about that age. If Ann Boleyn and Jane Seymour's skeletons were present but thoroughly degraded then I can sort of buy Katherine Howard's being so fractured and taphonomically damaged as to have been missed particularly if her remains had been disturbed earlier. But it is weird that there are not even any teeth. I also note a lot of people in the comments asking about trauma to the cervical vertebrae for Anne. And it depends. Vertebral bodies are especially spongy (lots of trabecular bone) and cervical vertebrae for anyone are typically pretty small. I have seen a few skeletons with really obvious and well preserved perimortem trauma to their cervical vertebrae, but I've also seen skeletons that are so messed up that it would be hard to tell particularly in the cervical vertebrae whether or not there was trauma. In one case I had to reassemble a spine and while what I normally do is match break to break in this case I had to methodically go through and identify each of the facets and bodies and spinous processes and so forth and which vertebrae it belonged to because there was so much taphonomic damage the breaks were obscured. In that case it would be really hard to tell if the damage was peri or post mortem even assuming you still have the relevant vertebrae to begin with. You also sort of asked in your video about how we could determine the bones belong to a single individual and you more or less got it. Humans - barring pathology - are generally relatively symmetrical so you can use that and then - again depending on preservation - sometimes you can check if the articulation is good. If you get two individuals even when they're two of the same age, sex and stature their joints are typically just different enough that their bones aren't ... interchangeable for lack of a less creepy term. I have a friend who was able to sort out individuals from an interment that included at least three different people.

[@HistoryCalling]

This is such a brilliant comment. I would have given it 2 hearts if I could have. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your expertise. You're exactly the sort of person I was hoping would watch and respond to those questions. I'm relieved I got the bit about symmetric bones correct, as I was worried I was making an error there and archaeologists all over the world would be throwing things at their phone/computer/ipad screens screaming 'No, that's all wrong. This is why we hate historians talking about our field'. :-) You make me wonder if Katherine's remains were removed at some point though. Hmm ... Many thanks again.

[@renferal3774]

Thank you for commenting on this. Very interesting

[@AndriaBieberDesigns]

Thank you

[@Atm0111]

Ty for sharing your knowledge

[@queensparkleintexas8090]

I am always excited to see an actual lengthy response here in the commentary section. Why⁉️I am confident it will be informative. As well as a Genuine Concern. You did not disappoint. You surpassed my expectations. With a very thorough explanation and breakdown with your expertises. It’s important for me to Commend you. It just feel good to be recognized for your contributions. Please be Safe And Blessed to Everyone. I love the energy here 🙏🏽

[@clown-cult96]

I just wanna take a moment to appreciate how in-depth and thorough Mr Bell’s accounts are despite it being 1870. Everyone really did their best to try to identify Anne.

[@aleksattebery]

I think there needs to be a facial reconstruction done of her. Henry wiped all contemporary images of her from history, so the portraits we have of her are not accurate. I think she should regain some of her dignity and I think we owe it to her to see her true face. 🙏

[@tasi4372]

@Sean Rooney there are DNA relatives. The current British Royal Family is descended from her sister, Mary Boleyn. They can provide DNA I believe

[@anniemay4547]

I wouldn’t want to be dug so they that they could create and a reconstruction to be stuck in a museum let the great lie in peace..

[@aleksattebery]

@XYZABC Believeit no it didn't. That was painted YEARS after Anne died, therefore, it isn't contemporary. There are no contemporary images of Anne except on the coin.

[@aleksattebery]

@XYZABC Believeit There are a couple sketches believed to Anne Boleyn that are attributed to Hans Holbein the Younger. But no proof these after actually her, although it's compelling, nobody can be 100% sure.

[@sandraevans6930]

Yes, a facial reconstruction is a must.

[@patriciasentz4950]

I actually feel, for an accurate history of Anne, we should do a reconstruction of her image. Henry tried to wipe her off the face of the earth. Let's bring her home.

[@almariera9751]

According to history she was decapitated...(while standing up)..with a sword.

[@xbjrrtc]

His behavior is consistent with other spousal abusers. They like to obliterate their victims. Anne deserves to be seen and remembered. I would love to know what she really looked like.

[@jbuckley2546]

@@xbjrrtc It's the Middle Ages. Silly modern opinions make no difference to the past.

[@cha2117]

It was a French execution said to show her a kindness for being his Queen.

[@dragoonTT]

@@jbuckley2546 I bet she knows that and doesn’t care. That’s her opinion, and so what if they acted like dressed apes? Doesn’t mean you have to hold yourself to those standards as well.

[@tinahoward1113]

Anne was railroaded to her death by a lot of people, including her own father. I think it would be poetic justice for her to be disinterred, put back together as much as possible, and given a queen's burial, possibly next to her daughter, Elizabeth I.

[@Cissy2cute]

I think the Duke of Norfolk was a horrible person. That would be nice to reunite Anne and Elizabeth in that way.

[@arklife99]

Cannot change the past it is what is is

[@arklife99]

@@Cissy2cute and you knew him ?

[@wilmerfingerdoo5288]

@@arklife99 why are you being defensive over a duke 4-500 years ago? They are obviously talking based off sources lol you don’t need to be an arsehole off of a self explanatory comment you cretin

[@isimonsez]

@@arklife99 is it not fair to say he was horrible when history confirms he paraded his daughters in front of narcissistic Henry to elevate his family’s status???

[@davidharris241]

My vote: Dig them up, do the sciency stuff...then bury them in a more respectful way. They deserve better than crammed into boxes under a floor.

[@ianbutler1983]

I am not trying to be difficult, but is being crammed into a box under the ground any better? I know what you mean, but does it matter?

[@raynonabohrer5624]

Give them proper burial. After all think about it this way if it was you would you want to be crammed in a Box. I certainly wouldn't!

[@davidharris241]

@@raynonabohrer5624 not really. I'm going for cremation, because I won't be there. I do see a value in preserving historical remains for future study, though. And yeah, a little box would suffice for that. Just save all the pieces.

[@davidharris241]

@@ianbutler1983 p.s. it'd be nice for the living to have a place to visit, though.

[@bambambillybears8170]

The place under the floor where they are buried is THE most respectful and honorable place for them. It was only kings queens and nobles who were interred under the altar of a chapel. Or the extremely wealthy or someone who did something extremely heroic.

[@marcelvanhees7712]

I would prefer them being dug up, examined in all possible ways including facial reconstruction and then burried in new individual graves so that they can be admired and visited like other royal Tudor graves.

[@jennymay4720]

My father is buried next to Thomas Boleyn (Anne Boleyn's Father)in the churchyard at St Peter's Church near Hever castle, and it turns out our family is related to her. I would make me very happyto hear that one day she could be reinterred there where she grew up with a service to celebrate her life, away from the cruel and evil forces that put her and her brother in the Chapel of St. Peter Ad Vincula. i also think Anne may have been very intelligent, as her Daughter Queen Elizabeth 1st was fluent in many languages, and a wise queen for her long reign which were difficult years in England.

[@shelleysanders9666]

I agree about Anne’s intelligence! Re-burial is difficult for archaeologists (contamination or breakages) & ethically (should one move a body),as we saw in the case of Richard III. But I think your point about her reburial is valid..

[@tarikbey-we6oq]

Anne Boleyn was a maur! Who are the original inhabitants of the world let alone Albion/ England!..... Anne boleyn was the mother of the real queen Elizabeth"..... unfortunately most of the so-called blacks are totally oblivious to who they really are".... unconscious/ incognizant, the misnomered/ mislabeled blacks/ are undeclared maurs"......

[@BMack-p9s]

Very nice sentiment, but she was a Queen of England and the mother of Elizabeth I, so the chapel where she is, in the most honourary alter position is also fitting. I like that it's a smaller more intimate place, befitting for a Queen. Hundreds of thousands literally flock each year to visit. Would this place near Haver Castle be able to cope with the traffic? I think this might be an idea if we were to discover Anne requested to be buried here or with her father. The Kings and Queens share Westminster, but Anne has her own beautiful chapel really, shared with her brother and Katherine, Henry's other victims, so she is not alone and they are already away from the power that slayed them; they're tucked away yet also in the very heart of London. As she was disgraced at the time, I'm actually suprised that her resting place is so prestigious and fitting. Yes Henry got away with it in life, but he certainly has not in the history books. He wanted to be remembered, and he is, for being the tyrant King with 6 wives, 2 of whom he had killed - not quite the legacy he was after is it.

[@Cards4Cancer]

I am a decendant of her as well. I would prefer she be given honor and with those who loved her, verses a sentence being carried out.

[@aapddd]

That’s so cool ! Her story is so sad.

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

“Anne of a Thousand Days” first got me interested in Anne Boleyn 50 years ago. What a tragic life for some royal women.

[@annfeeney1662]

I remember the movie , “ Anne of a thousand days,” also. Excellent performance from Genevieve Bujold as Anne Boleyn .

[@boudica3356]

I think Genevieve Bujold's portrayal of Anne Boleyn was the best one yet. She even had that slightly French tinged accent.

[@RodneyBrook-xz6tc]

That's just Hollywood nonsense,and fictional stories that's it's not real life sorry 😔

[@pamsharpe60]

I’d love to see possible reconstruction of Anne and Katherine’s faces. There are several supposed portraits of them both, which look very different from the written description of these two women. Personally, I don’t find a problem with digging up people who died nearly 500 years ago as long as the remains are treated with dignity.

[@salliewagenblatt5188]

Well we know now Anne boleyn was black all along.

[@ButtonsCasey]

Katherine Howard's remains are sadly not there. They threw lime on her body and no bones. Unless the Victorian's were wrong and they labeled Katherine's bones as someone else.

[@joannejordan8684]

@@salliewagenblatt5188 what do you mean by this?

[@margaretlavender9647]

@@salliewagenblatt5188 Ha ha. Good one. Tho of course an aberration of the director of that ghastly series recently.

[@margaretlavender9647]

@XYZABC Believeit Exactly. An utterly appalling tv series and so untrue. You CANNOT CHANGE HISTORY.

[@devynglass3781]

It breaks my heart that there’s nothing left of Catherine Howard. But I love this video. It’s well done and very interesting!!!!

[@lovetobe6118]

I am as well. She was set up from a young age to fail since she had been sexually abused as a child.

[@brittneyperez1885]

Both Katherine and Anne deserved better, I’ve been thinking about them and it always makes me SAD Katherine was a literal child 😭

[@LS-er7pf]

@@brittneyperez1885 Both Catherine and Anne were related. Thomas Howard was was an uncle of two of the wives of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, both of whom were beheaded, and played a major role in the machinations affecting these royal marriages.

[@Snow-tm9ic]

Your so pretty ma'am

[@shirleyporter7608]

These ladies, queens and gentlemen were buried there after being executed on the orders of Henry Viii because they were mostly “inconvenient” to him and his businesses - the charges were trumped up against again most of them while little giddy Queen Catherine Howard’s adultery was nothing compared with Henry and I do not believe in Queen Anne’s guilt at all or those gentlemen accused with her. As for the others they were inconveniences in Henry’s way. They should be properly buried in the right places and therefore honoured.

[@annadimarco2709]

We need a facial reconstruction of Ann.

[@lexiright5609]

Katherine Howard was innocent as well as anne boleyn

[@Ninnjette-]

While I do believe Anne was not sleeping with her brother I mean come on, that’s a serious charge who would do that I don’t believe she did that. I feel the most sorry for Queen Catherine of Aragon. That poor woman. Anne just walks in, seduces Henry and poor Catherine is thrown out like trash. Of course Henry could have rejected Anne’s advances, but poor Catherine of Aragon. That must’ve been horrendous. Imagine you’re sitting at home right now, you get kicked out of your home which is your castle and die alone. That’s terrible.

[@lexiright5609]

@@Ninnjette- you do know Anne didn’t seduce Henry right? She didn’t even want to marry him and left court to evade him and finally agreed to marry him after she really had no other option except be banished from court. It’s not about who you feel “most sorry for”, all these women were used and disposed of when Henry didn’t want them anymore, it’s not a competition between them. Anne did not make any “advances” outside flirting which was what everyone did with everyone in royal court. The idea about Anne being a scheming seductress who “stole” Henry is completely outdated and not supported by any real facts. Again, Anne did not seduce Henry, she left court for a while to get away from him. You seem to place the blame for what happened to Catherine on Anne when she had nothing to do with it. In fact Anne cared about Catherine and Mary and was upset when Catherine died, sending a letter to comfort Mary. So please don’t continue to spread misinformation about Anne, history has destroyed her with lies.

[@Ninnjette-]

@@lexiright5609 Anne did flirt with Henry you said it yourself, if I don’t want to catch a man’s attention I don’t flirt. Yes it was a different time period, but it’s always poor Anne what about poor Catherine? She was thrown out like nothing. Anne didn’t seduce Henry but yet she flirted with him yes that makes so much sense. It’s not misinformation that Catherine was thrown away like trash for another women. You say flirting is not seducing, I disagree. So don’t accuse me of misinformation just because you want to take up for the husband snatcher.. And where did I say she didn’t feel sorry for Catherine’s children where did I say that? Henry went after Anne, then Anne played hard to get.. And poor Catherine, 24 years of serving a man for nothing.. at least Anne got a quick death, Poor Catherine died slowly…

[@IfAllElseFails_Ctrl_Alt_Del]

I would actually love, to have her respectfully disinterred, in order to give her back her lost identity. It would be a jab at old Henry, to have her image shown to the modern world, & have it last for another lifetime . Even though he tried so hard to erase her image from history. He challenged the church, beheaded his ex wife,& establish a new religion, all for the sake of marrying Anne. Yet, The bastard couldn’t bother to even provide a proper coffin for her.🤦🏻‍♀️ Correction: He did NOT behead his 1st wife Catherine. But for Anne, he became an even MORE asshole (pardon my French), to the poor women who birthed him a daughter, suffered several miscarriages for him, & put up with his unfaithful/promiscuous ways, for more than a decade.

[@antonia8770]

he didnt actually behead his ex Catherine of Aragon for Anne but I get where you’re coming from and I agree :)

[@IfAllElseFails_Ctrl_Alt_Del]

@@antonia8770 You are 100% correct, I had just finished reading about Anne of Cleves, & got the wives demises mixed up😆. I mean, technically he only had 2 of his 6 wives axed. He was still a really horrible husband, husband, king, father, etc.

[@antonia8770]

@@IfAllElseFails_Ctrl_Alt_Del haha, no worries. you are absolutely right! especially what he’s done to his daughter mary. despicable!

[@kateshermon4900]

@@IfAllElseFails_Ctrl_Alt_Del Anne was beheaded by a sword and to be beheaded by a battle axe was deemed an honour-

[@angeliapittman4776]

I agree

[@Porschesplayhouse]

Anne was a historian herself. She was very learned, with a bright curious mind. I feel like she would have wanted us to dig her up and study her. If only to clear her name.

[@gothmamasylvia462]

In many ways, I would like to see them disinterred, such as Richard III was, studied, accurate portraits made, then a formal reinternment such as also Richard III had. His was most respectful, and dignified.

[@jandrews6254]

Except he was not given an RC requiem mass

[@theseagulls7035]

@@jandrews6254 Should have been interred in St Winifreds Catholic Church, York.

[@roseblankenship1468]

Where is her head

[@stephenburns3678]

I agree Richard lll should have been given a Catholic funeral and burial place.

[@Sabrinajaine]

Yeah, weird they can do all that for.a guy who probably murdered his nephews, but they can't do it for Anne Boleyn!

[@tsgumi]

I think the remains should all be disinterred examined and then given a proper burial like what happened with king Richard, not just a quick plop in the ground, also since there are living relatives of Mary Boleyn alive today surely it would be possible to do a DNA study of the remains suspected to be Anne Boleyn's to see if they are related.

[@eyerollingintooblivion3564]

I agree. I've always been a little iffy on this subject, because on the one hand, I believe they should be left to rest, but the way they were discarded after death has never set right with me. I just wish they could be given a proper burial ceremony.

[@HistoryCalling]

I think for Anne, if she was disinterred, you could actually just do a DNA comparison with George's bones (assuming they're still there). They're the only set of siblings in the Chapel I think.

[@tsgumi]

@@eyerollingintooblivion3564 yeah they deserve more respect than that, I think it's sad if we can't bury Katherine Howard as well but I feel like all those people that were beheaded on the orders of Henry deserve a more respectful resting place. And I think it's rather selfish of the modern day monarchy to dissallow this. At the very least prehaps a plaque could be put there stating who was laid to rest there

[@tsgumi]

@@HistoryCalling that's true I didn't think of that, but I guess you'd still need a descendants DNA to compare it too to make sure they've got the right people

[@kate_cooper]

@@tsgumi Anne and Katherine, at least, do have plaques.

[@cardwitch91]

I have always felt that we owed it to Anne to positively identify her. After most of her images had been defaced and destroyed, I would love to see her true face to be revealed (and age worked out!) And once done, to return her to the Chapel of St Peter Ad Vincula with a PROPER funeral as opposed to the quick bundling into an arrow box and burial she got.

[@fedra76it]

Even if bringing the bones to a lab would be the most effective solution, allowing for the execution of many operations and studies, I suppose that 3D laser scanning could be carried out in the grave itself. It might be enough for a reconstruction of her features. If there are experts reading my comment, I'd really appreciate knowing whether this really is an option.

[@stardustgirl2904]

My Dad is a descendant of her's

[@fabulouschild2005]

If we do that, then maybe her soul can rest and the stories of her ghost haunting the Tower of London will cease. RIP Queen Anne Boleyn 🙏🏻

[@littlemy1773]

@@stardustgirl2904 how? She didn’t have any grandkids

[@stardustgirl2904]

@@littlemy1773 It's through her parents!

[@CommodusSPQR]

No mention of the injury to her neck? I would have thought that a description of that would be crucial in not just identifying her, but also in determining how efficient her executioner was in his task.

[@roxbuchanan6357]

I'm no expert in Victorian etiquette, but perhaps the examiner thought that mentioning the fatal injury would have been considered rude or in poor taste.

[@dalehoward3704]

Im not sure, but didnt they sew decapitated heads back into bodies after execution??

[@Porschesplayhouse]

@@dalehoward3704 Not Anne Boleyn. Henry didn't make any provision for her body after her execution. Her ladies found the arrow chest and without her head she was small enough to fit.

[@rogueredshirt5239]

Another reason they might not have mentioned the neck injury might be due to the accuracy of the executioner. We know she was decapitated with a sword and by a special executioner from outside London. If the executioner was that good he could have cut between the vertebrae leaving very little damage.

[@tracyhall5849]

Anne also had slightly crooked front teeth,it is said.

[@ChaiCrimes]

That shows the contempt Henry had for his queens. He was like, bye Felicia.

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. He didn't even provide a coffin for Anne and I assume not for Katherine either.

[@Crazy-Cat-Lady-of-CA]

They were tried and found guilty of treason. If you die a traitors death, your body is treated the same. Thats how it was back then.

[@ChaiCrimes]

@@Crazy-Cat-Lady-of-CA At least Anne's head wasn't on a spike. Henry was a savage psychopath.

[@maxinemcclurd1288]

Can you imagine how scary it would be for a young woman to realize King Henry was interested in her ? Yikes ! Time to leave England !

[@Crazy-Cat-Lady-of-CA]

@@ChaiCrimes That had been popular for centuries. William Wallace had undergone hanging, drawing and quartering. His limbs were tarred and sent out to be put onto pikes at 4 different castles.

[@ctnguyenartes]

Thank you for your hard work which turned into great content for me and others to enjoy. I’ve watched all of your videos, so I’d like to go back to my favorite one and say Thank You. Best wishes! - Love from California

[@HistoryCalling]

THANK YOU so much for your generosity Solum. I love this video too as it's my most successful one and really helped my channel to blow up. Greetings in (what I hope is a very sunny) California from what is a rather grey day here in Northern Ireland :-)

[@kirstinstanbury8843]

I would personally love for the them to be dug up again and a facial reconstruction done. How amazing would it be to gaze upon the face of Queen Anne Boleyn. Giving her identity back and bringing her to life once more then given a proper burial in the matter she deserved. I dont think she was guilty of the crimes put against her and was unjustly executed. I loved your episode on the accounts of Anne's execution. To learn she went with such bravery and grace is all more credit to her. What a strong women who gave us one of our greatest monarchs.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Kirstin :-)

[@antivenomadams6369]

Agreed!

[@Figgatella]

Since there was never an actual portrait of a living Anne done, it would make her a face known if she was disinterred and had facial reconstruction done in order to give her a voice. I think she would approve especially after the way she was silenced and accused of adultery of which she was innocent.

[@bazoutofhell8293]

And yet channel 5 would have us believe she was Black...Yeah just crazy.

[@budomk9299]

@@bazoutofhell8293 I keep hearing about this. What happened?

[@hildahilpert5018]

@@budomk9299 ,here in the US, never saw it, but it was a crock. There could have been black people in England or other places in Europe, that doesn't mean she was black by any means. When they called the Black Prince, John of Gaunt,it just means his hair and eyes may have been dark. Black europeans would have been reffered to s Moors or Ethiopians. They certainly knew the difference.

[@Cissy2cute]

@@hildahilpert5018 I think John of Gaunt was called the Black Prince due to the black armour he wore. Don't know if he rode a black horse, but if he did what an impression that would make. In Tudor times I doubt if there were more than five black people in England, if that.

[@Amareehall101]

@@bazoutofhell8293 literally no one thinks she black

[@DeeDeexx]

I'm not an English women, nor have I been anywhere in Europe, but I am from a Commonwealth country, and honestly, I was never interested in learning anything about the any of the Royals in Europe until I came across one of your videos. I tapped on to the video about the Queen of Aragon by mistake, but your voice, accent and just how you speak in general kept me watching, and now I'm actually interested in learning about them. It's interesting for somebody who's half the world away to learn, although it's quiet sad how some of them came to their demise. You now have a new subscriber 😊

[@arnoldlevano16]

I always thought it would be a nice ending to move the bones of Anne Boleyn together with her daughter, Elizabeth I. And those of Mary I together with Catherine of Aragon.

[@Talarain]

Considering where Mary is buried, I seriously doubt they'd ever consider it.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I like that idea too. It's interesting that Elizabeth never did anything about her mother's burial place during her reign though. I suppose she didn't want to draw attention to her scandalous end and the remaining question marks over E's legitimacy.

[@Talarain]

@@HistoryCalling Queen Mary's grave went unmarked for years. Elizabeth wasn't big on building memorials, apparently; Henry her father never got one from her, or her brother Edward either. Edward got a marker in 1966, finally. Mary was buried in a simple vault; years later, after the death of Elizabeth, James I had Elizabeth's coffin placed on top of Mary's in the vault. Only Elizabeth's effigy is visible. Mary is mentioned in only one inscription: Partners in both throne and grave, here rest we two sisters, Elizabeth and Mary, in the hope of the resurrection.

[@SamLizziesmom]

@@HistoryCalling I completely agree. As one studies the Tudor era, and Elizabeth specifically, her childhood was not idyllic, her status constantly was changing. One minute she's a Princess, the next no one is even mention her. Kudos to Queen Parr for her attempts to rectify some of the family squabbling. But even after Henry's death, the infighting among the political factions of Catholics and Protestants stlll used Anne as a talking point. So I think once the dust settled and Elizabeth came to power she did all she could to just keep things at a quiet mumble until her death and let the pieces fall where they may.

[@marymeisiek7706]

Not likely but it would be wonderful!

[@whygothic]

I visited the Chapel in 2017 and saw a single stalk of red rose placed where her burial site had been. The kind beefeater guide explained that it was always replaced before it wilts as a tribute to her life.

[@ellen_trim_dance7928]

Anne Boleyn’s story always saddened me; I believe she was way ahead of her time, and Henry’s people didn’t like it. I also find it massively hypocritical that Henry slept with most women, then only a rumour comes out about Anne and he loses his mind. She deserves more respect in my opinion

[@Osarah96]

And he supposedly made the entire rumor completely.

[@morgansmith7365]

The rumor was just a guise, her downfall was carefully planned and orchestrated for many months before her arrest. Henry was behind all of it.

[@BognaZone]

Henry wanted a more submissive wife.

[@wiezyczkowata]

I think Henry was insecure about her, she was smarter then him, he liked how clever she was when she was his mistress but probably hated her for it when she was his wife,

[@Alexis-heavan-angle]

You know how it is said that Henry wanted everything of an wiped off the face of the Earth well what actually should truly happen is I think Henry the 8th needs to be wiped off the face of the Earth because he was such a disrespectful person to all six of them

[@ProfWattsU]

As a professor of the humanities, I am glad to have found your channel and I thank you for the work you do. The approach to the primary sources in order to develop a sense of the character of the individual is a wonderful approach that gives life to the figures. I like to switch between broad stokes and focused studies on a person of the time and your videos are a great resource to help people understand the context through the life, times, gossip, and schemes. Thank you again for your work.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks and welcome :-)

[@NicolesNaturals]

I'm related to Ann Boleyn! I found out through my ancestry research that my 13th great grandmother is Ann Boleyn's aunt. I was very excited to find that out!

[@HistoryCalling]

That's amazing. I've seen some others on here saying they are related to the Boleyns/Howards, so some of your very distant relatives may be here in the comments section with you.

[@tsungigudza8803]

@@kaytow5688 haha 😂🤣

[@rosiebottom3870]

So am I related to AB. A genealogist told me years ago. I've tried to find the link but only got as far as 1597, to my direct ancestor Charles Bullin.

[@NicolesNaturals]

@@rosiebottom3870 we might be cousins then!

[@rosiebottom3870]

@@NicolesNaturals hey cuz! 😁

[@magandaako1995]

Bones usually solidify around ages 18-21, when the growth plates in our long bones (thigh bones, bones in the arms and lower leg) have finished growing. As kids, growth plates are really soft and cartilaginous. Around puberty, the bones would start to grow, and once they finished growing, that is the only time when the bones will solidify completely. 🙂

[@tesshowdieshell6553]

To me, bodies are just the vessel in which the soul travels, so I don’t see anything wrong with digging them up. Especially for scientific, historical purposes.

[@boudica3356]

@SaxonThrashQueen The "soul" is the energy of your spiritual being, nothing magical about it. Energy cannot be destroyed, it just changes form.

[@shaunsteele8244]

@SaxonThrashQueen except that's exactly what it is. You're not a body, you're a soul housed within a body

[@shaunsteele8244]

@SaxonThrashQueen lol your physical DNA makes up your physical body. When your body rots and turns to dust your soul and consciousness will live on

[@kaliwindx7287]

This is an excellent report. Thank you so very much. I think most of us would love to see a reconstruction of Anne Boleyn’s face. Her story is ever fascinating.

[@NepentheBlue]

How sad that Kat Howard was so young when executed that her poor bones likely dissolved completely. I would personally love to see a reconstruction of Anne. As so many others have commented, Henry tried to erase her from his life and the court. To have an accurate representation of her face would feel like a triumph.

[@TheIndependentLens]

DAMN! Was she that awful that he wanted no reminding of her?

[@Sienisota]

@@TheIndependentLens she, like all his wives, couldn't produce a male heir. The fault lay in him, but he couldn't accept it.

[@deborah9775]

Reconstruction of Anne as well as others would bring history back to life. It would be a great way to show what previous generations considered attractive etc. It would put to rest many questions. I think Anne would be fascinated with today's technology & would indeed want it used on her. The intellectual & artist appreciation she had would scream for it. Her ancestors might like a better idea of her as well. My real question is this...She was in France for many years. Are there no paintings or anything of her image in their historical records? just curious

[@hannnahcampbell472]

If she was so young her bones dissolved, poor child couldn't have been much older than 18 at her time if death.

[@DarthSanguine]

@@deborah9775 *Descendants, not ancestors. An ancestor comes before you.

[@OnTheFritz602]

I would love to see a proper reconstruction of Anne's face, having been so fascinated with her for years. Perhaps one that's period correct, and one that's more contemporary, as if she were walking down the street today. And then of course, a proper and respectful burial worthy a Queen. Btw, you have a great voice for narration, and have gained another sub!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you and welcome :-)

[@FirewindII]

@OnTheFritz602 ~ You assume the executioner took her coin seriously. And +1,000 to your voice comment. Oh, and likely a state funeral would garner an attendance of thousands, if not tens of thousands.

[@lisatroberge2982]

I think I would love to see how she really looked. Souls do not remain with the bones, so a person's soul is freed into the universe upon death. The bones were just the vehicle that housed the soul while on earth! I say let's see this brave, outspoken, smart and beautiful woman for who she was and give us a face to go with the personality! This man was a tyrant and abuser of women, we should not let him wipe someone totally out because of his mental issues!!!

[@peterchessell28]

What a load of old cobblers.

[@vikingsong2068]

Oh look, another gammon is triggered..

[@vickibart3491]

@Bobbi Cat “hero” is a bit of a stretch

[@lauraoliver7990]

He exploded in his coffin stinking his funeral out. Toxic reality to his greedy cruel ways.

[@nancydalton7081]

Also, did she have good teeth

[@Atm0111]

I didnt even know Anne was disinterred in the victorian era! Thats why i love this channel, i learn so much. Many thanks 😊

[@HistoryCalling]

You're welcome :-)

[@Sharklauncher]

I feel there is no harm in studying the remains. Perhaps afterwards Anne could even be entombed nearby Queen Elizabeth the 1st. Everyone of Henrys wives deserve a Queens burial after having to put up with him.

[@carolyngarcia6292]

Sooooo happy that I got to go into this chapel inside of Tower of London!!!

[@Trevorjennings679]

Hello Carolyn, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the COVID-19 virus??

[@mysoutherngarden]

Hi, I am fascinated by the Tudors and have been for years. I would give anything to have a face to picture for Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard snd the others. It would add so much to their stories, and we have the technology to do it. I’m all for disinterring the bones!

[@mysoutherngarden]

You guys please petition the Royals and let them know we want to do it. I am serious! Your friend in the USA.

[@HistoryCalling]

I think people have asked before, but it's always been a solid no.

[@mysoutherngarden]

@@HistoryCalling that is just so frustrating to me. I wish the Queen felt as we did and was curious to know what they looked like and other things we could find out upon studying them. I’m sure there are many reasons she has for not doing it but it would be amazing if we could have a lifelike face for them! I’m also curious about Henry, Catherine of Aragon and so many others.

[@TracyW1963ful]

Why should they be dug up just to satisfy your stupid morbid curiosity!

[@mysoutherngarden]

@@TracyW1963ful Hi, maybe they shouldn’t, but that was just my opinion. I’m just captivated by the history that I have always wanted to know what they looked like. I didn’t think that was morbid, though. I didn’t mean to offend.

[@sharonmarsh1611]

I think they should be examined again. Especially Ann. It's a beautiful legacy to see their real faces. The bones can be reunited.

[@yvgfjayne]

Hi. Visited the chapel recently during my first visit to UK. So improved by listening to your channel. I would say leave them in peace. There are always new questions and the chapel affords at least some basis for a burial in keeping with their times. History and its interpretation are fascinating, but these were real people l, whomever they are, and there's no need to make spectacle of their remains.

[@Trevorjennings679]

Hello Jane, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the COVID-19 virus??

[@Janet7144]

I read that when the floor of the chapel was taken up there was an arrow chest with the remains of a decapitated woman, which fits exactly with the description of Anne's execution and burial.

[@craneswaterpress2831]

That is not what we are told in this video. We have also been told, above, that it would not be easy to tell after 300 years whether a person had been decapitated or not.

[@hogwashmcturnip8930]

@@craneswaterpress2831 It would if the head was by the feet! I doubt if they bothered stitching it back in place.:)) If they shoved the corpse into an arrow chest that was too small ,I doubt ifthey cared about repositioning the head.

[@SurroundedByClowns1926]

Surely they’d be able to analyse whether or not someone was decapitated even after 300 years parts of the spinal cord connecting the neck to the head would have graze/slice marks on them am I right?

[@boudica3356]

Thats what I read

[@susieqz813]

@@SurroundedByClowns1926 my thought too

[@johncunningham1098]

Having been in the Chapel I can tell you it is a light filled, beautiful place. As the Anglican Prayer book says of the Christian departed, “Let the dead Rest In Peace and rise in glory”.

[@HistoryCalling]

It is a beautiful building, I agree. It's been years since I was in it, but I'd love to go back.

[@martiniv8924]

We was taught in school in the 60’s about Henry viii , how great he was for England, the reality was , he was a tyrant, dictator, murderer (albeit not with his own hands) bar none. How proud would Anne of been of her daughter Elizabeth I . RIP the victims of Henry viii🙏🏻

[@onlyeverthus]

Just discovered your channel this week, and I love it! Can’t wait for more history 😁 As for the subject of this video, I’m always fascinated by what old bones can tell us about historical figures, and would love to see a facial reconstruction of Anne based on her skull. Knowing what people from the past looked like outside of paintings (which likely would’ve made some people look better than they did by softening or even removing certain attributes), along with the mundane facts of their existence (like knowing Anne was between 5’ and 5’3”) makes them seem more real and human.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I was fascinated by the facial reconstruction of Richard III (which actually suggested that the surviving portraits were pretty accurate).

[@angeliapittman4776]

I also just ran across your channel ilove finding out about the tudors

[@frankt722]

It is completely understandable that the current monarch would be against disinterring the remains. However, they would be a treasure-trove for historians and geneticists given what we now know surrounding DNA analysis.

[@rebeccaainslie4637]

Might be surprising!

[@Cressett1]

That may be exactly why they don’t want DNA done. The royals may not all have the fathers we think they had.

[@Cissy2cute]

I wish the bones of the two young boys in the Tower could be studied. Even if just to put them in a certain time frame.

[@tracyschofield6344]

On Queen Anne's description, I f ind this very haunting, but also beautiful. Thank you for posting this 🖤

[@papayaking2214]

There is still a question if these are even her mortal remains. Would anyone put it past Henry to have had them thrown in the Thames, and replaced with some other poor soul’s body? If for this reason alone, I think the Queen (if her) should be exhumed. The report stated the teeth that exist are in mostly good condition. Perhaps DNA can be extracted. Prove it is Queen Anne and give her a state funeral. Why should she be treated any less than Richard III. Did anyone opine to leave his remains in a car park? Anne did not ask to be buried where she was placed. IMO she would have preferred her childhood home of Hever. Queen of England Anne Boleyn and mother of Elizabeth I deserves a grand tomb, at the very least no less than Katherine’s. And I wish it were Anne buried with her beloved daughter.

[@HistoryCalling]

I don't think he would have had her thrown in the Thames, especially after the expense of that French executioner. I think something like that would have made its way into the records too. I think she would have preferred Hever too though (as would her brother George I suspect).

[@marionking5970]

@@HistoryCalling As she was executed by beheading, why does what is apparently her skeleton have the head attached to the body?

[@cheronfitzgerald8806]

@@marionking5970 The skeleton in the video was a generic model, for illustrative purposes only. No real bones were shown.

[@angeliapittman4776]

Amen well put I agree

[@ProudKansan08]

Nah, he didn't do that, even to the people who disappointed him and had them executed. I think the HEADS of executed men were eventually thrown into the Thames, but, not executed bodies. According to what I've read over the years, they were buried, sometimes, they were forgotten and left on the scaffold for hours on end, as in the case of, I believe, Lady Jane Grey, but, by and large, they were buried not thrown into the river.

[@loisb.5814]

They're already been disturbed once, and sounds like there were respectfully reburied. Let them rest in peace! God knows living around Henry VIII they experienced much hell here on earth.

[@celticmist14]

Like. Diana

[@harrietprice890]

I’ve been to Hampton Court and as soon as I seen this, I had to click on it. Thank you for all of the extra info!

[@bethanne558cooke7]

I would love to see what Anne Boleyn and some of the others really looked like

[@janetdill9599]

I think they should leave them be now. The Victorians who did the renovation did try to treat them with respect and identify and organize the bones correctly . The real disrespect came when they were buried so unceremoniously at the time of their death.

[@fool4singing]

The real disrespect came when they were beheaded! The way you're treated in life is much more important than the way you're treated after you body is already dead...

[@charmainejay7515]

Luv yr channel. My daughter is in the process of constructing our family tree found out we are direct decendants of Edward 1. Visited london tower yesterday it was really great. visited Ann grave in the church. Would be nice to see a face reconstruction of all of them.

[@itbk30]

I feel that since her husband attempted to erase her identity, that if possible, DNA testing of all her family should be done and entered into a public database.

[@PraytheRosaryEveryDay]

Henry VIII was NOT her husband. She had no husband. She was a single woman who chose to have an affair with a married monarch. In the process, she took down her brother and his wife. Not to mention the rightful Queen Catherine of Aragon being put aside due to the spell that Henry VIII was under.

[@the_beat_thief]

@@PraytheRosaryEveryDay Henry VIII was not innocent. He was a grown man and supposed to be a leader of the people. If anything, he should be held to a much higher standard. Why are you laying all of the blame on her? Also, your comment about choosing to have an affair applies to both of them.

[@NatureNymph46]

@@PraytheRosaryEveryDay Henry VIII most certainly was her husband; she was legally married to him. Whether you agree with the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon or not is unimportant, as the law was changed to make himself head of the Church Of England and provided an annulment. It was seen as legal then (although rightfully upset catholics who didn't agree with it) and it's still seen as legal today. Just as the monarch is the head of the Church of England to this day.

[@anotherjunkie2]

@@PraytheRosaryEveryDay seriously?!? 😂😂😂😂

[@kristenlevine3446]

@@PraytheRosaryEveryDay Oh go on with yourself 🤪😢🤣🤣

[@idiotsandwich4912]

People say that digging them up again would be a bad thing because it would be “defiling” their bodies and disturbing them. I don’t agree. If I was Anne I would want people to know who I was. The whole goal of Henry erasing her portraits and killing her was to erase her from history and he is still succeeding if we just let the rest of her disintegrate! She’s already been moved several times. They found her in a heap of bones for gods sake. It would be disrespectful to leave her in the ground like that and deny her after all these years a proper burial! We could finally know what she looked like to. I think she would want that after all of her hardship and traumas she faced. Those bones aren’t her anymore. They are what was left behind. Her soul is somewhere else. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t treat her remains with respect, it just means that moving them one last time wouldn’t be as horrible as you think. As long as it was done the right way it would be perfectly fine.

[@QWERTY-ri5yw]

Omg I’m sure many of us would love a facial reconstruction, I’m so glad you mentioned it because it’s exactly what I was thinking though out.

[@dluelmo]

The curious part of me would love to have as much information as possible and have all the bodies exhumed, studied and reburried. How amazing would it be to have an actual recreation of Anne's face seeing that the portraits of her are inconsistent (that coin makes her look hideous!!). But ultimately it is the deceased person's beliefs that should be respected and remains should be treated accordingly. Unless it is absolutely necessary to dig the bodies up again they should stay put. If they are dug up again because of renovation work etc I'd urge that the bodies are moved elsewhere where they can rest in peace.

[@colleenmonfross4283]

I am just shocked at how the bodies were treated since they are part of the royal heritage of Great Britain. I would have thought that their burials were well documented and kept pristine over the millennia so the fact that King Richard was found under a car park and no one knows for sure about Queen Anne's body is simply remarkable. I would want them identified by DNA, restored to wholeness as much as possible, and clearly marked and preserved for posterity.

[@deborahfedge4272]

Some were considered traitors so care to corpse not required and burial in Church actually a great exception at that point. King Richard’s burial was hasty given recent battle, the war etc as I recall. They would have picked the best site they could find and evidentially it becomes a car park.

[@Osarah96]

Unless you have the immense funds to do that, it's not that easy. It SHOULD be done, but not always capable

[@sweetdreams1794]

In 2019 I went to the tower and went on one of the Yeoman Warner tours (which are researched and written by historians but then memorised as part of their job). In the tour the Yeoman warded commented on Queen Catherine that when she was executed Henry (unlike with Queen Anne) was so incensed by her betrayal he insisted her body be covered with lime so nothing would be left of her. This would seem to be borne out by the discovery of higher quantities of lime in the report you mentioned. Maybe she isn’t there due to that.

[@Peaches_H_Nyce]

Queen Kathryn's forensic anatomy only hits the heart harder. She was an innocent adolescent testing the waters, as most teens do. Her life, like many of women dug up in that church was cut short by a vile, privileged , egocentric male, I mean the king, my bad.

[@ashleighhaigh8795]

I’m in no way an expert in any things you mentioned but some quick research says that bones usually solidify at around (at maximum) age 18 but they don’t reach peak bone mass until about 25. So even if Katherine’s bones were fully developed they weren’t as large as the others buried there.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you :-)

[@jenniferharrison8546]

I can't help thinking that Anne Boleyns head was placed into a separate coffin ....or maybe not . At the time of her execution .So does this mean that her head was placed at her burial , where it should of been normally as if she had not have been decapitated.l have seen a painting of Anne Boleyns head in a little box.

[@DJTexas8984]

I love your history pieces and your voice is nice as your talk to us. Thank you for your interesting pieces.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you kindly :-)

[@Trevorjennings679]

Hello Donna, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the COVID-19 virus??

[@2007VolkswagenJetta]

I think they should have proper burials. They were important parts of history like Anne and Katherine were literally Queens

[@randerson2525]

ONLY Katherine Howard was Queen when she was beheaded - Anne Boleyn was divorced two days prior to her death

[@jonldn]

@@randerson2525 Katherine Howard was also stripped of her title before she was executed .

[@randerson2525]

@@jonldn - yes, she was but (unlike Anne Boleyn) her marriage was never annulled which means she was still technically Henry VIII's wife and Queen of England at the time of the chopping block.

[@jonldn]

@@randerson2525 never "formally" annulled but history has shown us that Henry and his supporters did not appear to need to follow any "letter of the law" in this and other areas. whatever their Status.. both Anne and Katherine were clearly pawns in a game of power. May they rest in peace.

[@nigeldepledge3790]

Of course, we must also acknowledge the possibility that the doctor describing the bones had also read contemporary descriptions of Anne, Catherine and so on, and his description could have been coloured by his expectations.

[@bettyir4302]

Exactly.

[@zugabdu1]

I thought the same thing as I listened to the description. The phrase "confirmation bias" kept popping into my head.

[@kolloduke3341]

One of the most intelligent comments i have read here .May i also add the docters observations would have been based on what he saw in the visual evidence found .

[@chrisledbetter9278]

He wasn’t the only one looking at the bones. Also, what would be his motivation for not being impartial?

[@zugabdu1]

@@chrisledbetter9278 Confirmation bias doesn't require motivation. It's about how preexisting expectations can affect your interpretation of new information. If someone tells you a wine has a cherry flavor note just before you taste it, you'll taste that same thing. Motivation is irrelevant. If he had read descriptions of Anne Boleyn before examining the skeleton, his interpretation of his findings might have been unconsciously influenced by what he expected. This doesn't mean he was incorrect in his identification. He may not have previously read what she looked like. It's just that the possibility is real enough to be cautious about accepting his interpretation at face value.

[@alimccreery755]

I’m very fascinated by this history, thank you for sharing and you have a peaceful and beautiful voice. 🤗

[@SisterSunshineTV]

Dig them up, sample DNA and get a full forensic study and 3D scan. Then clean the bones, place them in a silk lined ossuary and re-inter somewhere they will be safe and hopefully not disturbed again.

[@bethduly3350]

I agree

[@TVSkyrama]

@@bethduly3350 I agree 👍

[@atonement7232]

I think if they were to be disturbed again this is the nicest way I’ve heard of handling their remains

[@tonyakruid2095]

Agreed

[@mj9949]

sounds perfect

[@davidedwards504]

Clear,precise,detailed,no hesitation or deviation!You are a very close second to my favorite David Starkey.Any chance of your view of Richard the 3rd?

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you. He's on my long-term list :-)

[@macnsteeze97]

Aside from this interesting information (thank you so much for doing this!), your speaking voice is so wonderful to listen to!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Julianna and you're very welcome :-)

[@michealguy3274]

Henry the 8th was a real psychopath

[@anapoda3081]

that's what generations and generations of inbreeding does to you, just look at how degenerated Charles and William look.

[@richardrowe6907]

@Athos Aramis Check: Henry VII was most certainly outbred. Henry VIII needed a male heir. The country had just been through a long and bloody civil war which was likely to re-erupt if there was only a female heir. It was a matter of state.

[@annelavigne4797]

I think anne should have a royal burial she was queen and Elizabeth the 1st mother

[@abrahamdozer6273]

@Phil Turner Neither Catherine Howard nor Jane Grey were the mothers of monarchs. Although the line ended with Elizabeth, she was among England's greatest monarchs and perhaps Anne Boleyn needs to be honoured a bit more.

[@purrdiggle1470]

I've always wondered why Elizabeth didn't try to give her mother a more proper burial, but everything I've ever read about her suggests that she rather idolized her father.

[@abrahamdozer6273]

@@purrdiggle1470 Tudor politics were complex and deadly. Perhaps she thought it was better to leave the dead where they are.

[@abrahamdozer6273]

@Phil Turner she did not give birth to a monarch. That was my point about Anne being special among the group.

[@papayaking2214]

​@Phil Turner Jane Grey was a usurper but yes you can argue that Catherine Howard deserves a royal burial.

[@susieqz813]

I found your channel a couple days ago, which has sparked me to re-watch The Tudors. As many parts of the series has been dramatized for TV, your channel has been a great wealth of knowledge as I go along watching. Thank you for your hard work and deep research! 👌🏼

[@roscluaran]

Brilliant video with fascinating information. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you :-)

[@lovescoffee9780]

I've read many times that Henry Vlll was handsome. Did handsome have a different meaning in the 1500's. Haven't seen one picture of him that I would consider handsome.

[@HistoryCalling]

Apparently he was very good looking in his youth and had a lot of charisma. In later years, he certainly lost his looks.

[@DavidWilliams-so2dy]

Ive heard other historians say that Henry was indeed fetching in his youth. There’s at least one portrait of him as a strapping lad. But his overindulgence caused him to quickly morph into a fat troll. I’ve often what it was like for the lowly artist who was commissioned to paint these portraits. When your subject is completely unattractive but you need your customer to be happy. Especially Henry.

[@MsLenepigen]

@@DavidWilliams-so2dy “Fat troll” 😹

[@lexiright5609]

Yeah, basically he was a good looking young man who was very active and had a lot of charisma, then he had a accident where he fell off a horse, while married to Anne Boleyn that caused him physical and mental damage. He because fatter after than and more mentally unstable, leading to a lot more beheadings including 2 of his (innocent btw) wives

[@evacope1718]

It is known he changed a lot after his jousting accident and got very overweight due to a lack of physical activity and over eating

[@cindyjulian9534]

ALWAYS RESPECT THE DEAD. Ann needs her identity back, she will always be remembered due to the fact she was one of Henry's wives that was treated wrong. They all were treated wrong.

[@patrickrooney5130]

and still going on today.

[@ladysiam3024]

I would love to see a facial reconstruction of Anne and Catherine

[@a.person4761]

yes! and jane grey and katherine howard!

[@3John-Bishop]

Me too, lets do it.

[@bramsrockhopper3377]

Your videos are so good. Thorough and entertaining and robustly researched. I’m definitely enthralled. Thanks.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you :-)

[@nassauguy48]

The body of Catherine Parr went through so many indignities as a consequence of several renovations to Sudeley Castle where she was buried. At one point, her coffin was opened, and someone clipped a piece of her hair. Before she was given a final and decent burial, her coffin was found standing upside down. The body of Mary Queen of Scots was transferred from Peterborough Cathedral (where Catherine of Aragon is buried) to Westminster Abbey by order of her son King James I. (James' predecessor, Elizabeth I, ordered the execution of his mother).

[@megbro10]

i clicked on this right away because i thought the bones were about to be dug up now! lol

[@Livingshadow2009]

Same 😅

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to be click baity at all, I just couldn't think of a snappier way to phrase it that would still communicate what I meant.

[@Al_Ellisande]

Me too. The very idea of digging up Anne Boleyn, and Anne Boleyn especially (I don't know why), sends shivers down my spine but there's a great deal of intrigue also.

[@liapatra]

same!

[@willen2416]

I have a “bone” to pick with you about that comment!

[@JoannaLamont333]

I enjoyed your video & your knowledge. My feeling regarding the remains is that I think the remains should be used for research. She has a prominent place in history, so I think with the technology we have today, we can know more about her. As long as she’s buried again with the dignity she deserves, I would like this to happen.

[@kathywallis8882]

As a teacher of British literature I was always intrigued by the aspects of the Tower of London and the Tudor line. I found this video a very compelling. And while most of the research I have looked at regarding Anne Boleyn, I felt she was largely innocent of the charges which led to her execution. However, a great deal of information that is available suggests she antagonized Henry to some great degree. Thank you for posting this. Although I would like to think that the royal family would allow science to give us more insight on the early royals, I can understand why they would not grant access.

[@boudica3356]

I think it was easy to antagonize Henry VIII. He was King and not used to being challenged or argued with. Anne was a strong woman who didn't put up with bullshit. That said, she should have played her hand better.

[@aprowse2525]

Did she antagonise him??? Or was she genuinely not interested. If she said she wouldn't be his Mistress and would only share a bed with him if she were Queen, did actually think he would/could make that happen? I highly doubt it

[@lelesimmons2995]

I think we should at least extract the DNA. As far as facial reconstruction, it would be fascinating to see. I think it would be an honorable way to bring back to life such a beautiful queen who deserved better than what she received.

[@Cissy2cute]

Obtaining enough viable DNA may prove to be a problem. But it would be fascinating to find out what she probably looked like.

[@aolsweetsew]

I think as long as the chapel is in tact, their remains should stay undisturbed. However, if the chapel is ever in need of repair, torn down or damaged beyond repair, they should be moved and then possibly reexamined (who knows what medical and forensic advances we will accomplish by then). I find it very surprising that a King's remains were found under a parking garage. Thank you for these informative videos.

[@lhl9010]

unless the tower of london is lost which it most likely never will be this chapel will stand there is a reason that King Richard's remains were found where they were read more on him

[@romanaruknuzzaman1400]

it would be really interesting to see what she really looked like,especially since her husband wished her erased from his life and history.

[@gloriaharper2572]

An excellent telling of this fascinating time in history. Very enjoyable. If would be wonderful to know what Anne really looked like but as you say, it’s doubtful that Her Majesty the Queen would consent. Thank you.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Gloria :-)

[@louiseblack3337]

Yes bring them to life with reconstructions. They’ve been dead a long time with no close relatives around to be upset by it. Great video I enjoyed very much

[@BeachGal-mf9xd]

These women who were murdered by Henry deserve the respect of their own graves well marked. I'm sure he is burning in hell...

[@HistoryCalling]

There are markers in the floor, if that helps, though I can't remember if everyone has one. All the executed are named on the glass pillow memorial outside the Chapel though.

[@kevindoran9389]

He's nowhere........he's dead.

[@ProudKansan08]

@@kevindoran9389 ok

[@AlexisSanchez-dv9ln]

He got what he deserved in the end! Karma always comes back to bite you on the ass!

[@splinterbyrd]

@@AlexisSanchez-dv9ln He was the most far-reachingly and long-lastingly calamitous political leader in the known history of the British Isles. 500y later we are still dealing with the fallout of his atrocious reign. Most British art from the middle ages, along with much beautiful architecture was destroyed at the Reformation. Ireland is still divided along sectarian lines, and we are left with a hopelessly weak and inept national church

[@crazya3466]

Must have been tough being a woman in Henry's court and being related to a Boleyn.. cA

[@SamLizziesmom]

As for the Boleyn's, yeah, they were pretty much blackened by the whole deal. (From an amateur historian)

[@SamLizziesmom]

Oh yes. I forget who it was, but a female contemporary of Henry, somewhere on the European Continent about the time he married Anne of Cleves, was quoted as saying something along the lines of if she had two heads she would not hesitate to marry the King of England.

[@mysoutherngarden]

@@SamLizziesmom it was Christina of Denmark!

[@Bullen_3]

Maybe for a time it was hard.. But then Queen Anne Boleyn's sister:Mary inherited the Boleyn fortune and Rochford Hall(not bad for being disowned,for daring to marry a man 'lowly' status,for love,haha). Then her children were sent to court,......TO QUEEN ELIZABETH'S Court. And Elizabeth 1'S GREAT 44YR REIGN. Disgraced to nothing then rose to everything. And that's Anne Boleyn's ultimate revenge😘💖

[@SamLizziesmom]

@@mysoutherngarden Thats it! Thank you!!

[@acerimmer1023]

I absolutely love your videos....thank you for the in-depth research that goes into each one....they are all an absolute pleasure to watch.....and my favourite channel......you and Grimlifecollective.... amazing stuff 👍

[@HistoryCalling]

You are so welcome :-)

[@darrellenglish2704]

As these are distant family members in my family tree I would love to see some more work done on them.I notice that Queen Jane Gray is among those there as well and work on her skull would be of great interest .

[@sherryglisson4885]

Thank you so much for this video....i remember being a little girl in school learning about Anne Boleyn being executed but when I asked my teacher where they buried her she wasn't quite sure. ..

[@HistoryCalling]

You're welcome. Yes, Anne didn't make it too far away from the execution spot I'm afraid. I sometimes wonder if her parents would have rather had her (and her brother) buried somewhere near Hever Castle.

[@sherryglisson4885]

@@HistoryCalling disgraceful what was done with her poor body....the mother of the greatest queen to ever rule ? She deserved better....but then on May 30th Henry remarried so I guess his wedding preparations were more important than a funeral for his previous queen.....

[@jandrews6254]

@@sherryglisson4885 Henry was in charge and he wasn’t interested in future queens, certainly not queens regnant! The thought would have horrified him, he required a son. I think Jane Seymour was preggers? by the time Anne got the chop, so he still had hopes in her direction

[@MsNomzie]

Anne has always been my favorite person in history and when I had the chance to visit the Tower of London I was so happy that by taking the tour we were allowed inside the chapel (something i had not known at the time of the tour). I do believe that Anne, deserves a better burial. As stated though, unless something tragic happens to the church requiring another restoration, I do not see anything happening.

[@billijomaynard8924]

I believe that in the case of those buried who have living descendants today which at least some of them do, (Margaret Pole, Edward Seymour for example). It should be up to them whether or not the remains of their ancestors are disturbed for archaeological purposes, carbon dating, DNA and the like. For those who do not have any living descendants then it should be up to the crown. I think it is only fair and just that the families of those buried ( regardless of how far down the family tree they are) should be able to have their say in these kinds of matters.

[@HistoryCalling]

I would agree in principal, but I imagine by this point there must be huge numbers of descendants of those people and they might want different things. It could turn into another War of the Roses :-)

[@donnakimbler1454]

Margaret Pole was my 14th great grandmother and I think they should take DNA samples, document what they looked like and have them properly buried according to their station. There must be thousands of descendants that could provide DNA.

[@SarahlabyrinthLHC]

I am related to King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and our family still has hints of red hair (my Aunt's hair was bright red when she was young, mine only has an occasional red hair.) I am very interested in archaeology and would find it very interesting to have a scientific inspection of these remains and facial reconstruction done. However I quite understand that the current Queen would be unlikely to give permission. Would I mind if my bones were dug up and examined? Wouldn't mind in the slightest. And I'm 5' 10" if anyone is wondering.

[@karensmyth1215]

I would argue that eventually down the line, along with time, you Don't feel the same emotional attachment or love for a distant ancestor as you would a great grandparent, grandparent or parent. So it's just bassically strangers who share some DNA at this point.

[@curtrowe1416]

I've visited the chapel three times and always look for their markers. The markers are small but the history is significant. I think they should remain where they were buried as it helps to tell their stories.

[@lhl9010]

the markers are large and at the front of the chapel near the alter.

[@curtrowe1416]

@@lhl9010 They were small little squares when I was there.

[@cherrytomato6139]

Very interesting, but I was a bit puzzled by the description of Anne's jaw as "rather square", as well as her neck described as "short". If we can rely on her surviving images, including one in the Queen Elizabeth's ring, she definitely didn't have a square and heavy chin; her neck was also described by contemporaries as "long". These features fit rather better with Katherine Howard's description. The diminutive size of the skeleton also opens possibility of the bones belonging to Katherine, as she was known be be around 5 ft. We will probably never know, but the fact that the bones had already been disturbed prior to 19th century repair work indicate a possibility of a mix-up. I think they should be left to rest. The medal and Queen Elizabeth's ring give us enough information to judge how Anne looked like.

[@doriangray2454]

I would love to take Henry the eighth out of his vault and have him looked at. And a facial reconstruction as well as medical tests. There are to Henrys. One pre- brain injury and the other one was the monster he became.

[@HistoryCalling]

On the question of the brain injury, I think you're going to find next week's video interesting :-)

[@kelrogers8480]

He was always a monster. See what he did to the remaining Plantagenets upon his ascension to the throne.

[@thorawilson1466]

Or taken and thrown into the Thames

[@tracyhodgkins7516]

Henry was always a monster, or had the potential to be. Look what he did to Edmund Dudley and Richard Empson early in his reign, purely because they were part of his father's regime. He abandoned Catherine of Aragon and the future Mary I, his own child who he had declared illegitimate, before his head injury. He fell in lust with Anne Boleyn before his head injury. Brain injuries can change behaviour, that's true enough, but Henry VIII was always a monster. Some argue his mother's death might have some bearing on his behaviour too. I don't accept that either. Henry began his reign as a handsome nearly 18 year old, genial and generous in some ways, but he always liked his own way and knew how to get it. All his life Henry was fine if he was getting what he wanted. The trouble started when he couldn't get what he wanted, or if he had no more use for someone. Thomas Wolsey is a good example of that. Henry VIII considered Thomas Wolsey a friend. Wolsey effectively ran the country early in Henry's reign, when he preferred to be having fun rather than performing his duties as king. When Henry destroyed Wolsey for failing to secure Henry's annulment from Catherine Of Aragon, Wolsey was merely doing his job as Papal Legate. Wolsey was sent back to his See in York, but eventually arrested and charged with treason. He died on the way back to London, where he was destined for the Tower. The point is, that was how Henry treated a friend, someone he'd known and trusted for years, until that friend couldn't secure him what he wanted. Then Henry abandoned him and would have undoubtedly had him executed if Wolsey had not died first. That was all well before his head injury.

[@mattieg681]

I totally agree with you that's what you call karma 👍

[@janetd5317]

They are just bones, the "person" is long gone, so why not dig them up and do some testing ? I was amazed when they found Richard 111 bones. We learned so much from them. Plus, he finally got a decent burial...

[@paperroses7615]

It's because of finding Richard and his DNA 🧬🧬🧬 that I know that I'm his decendent with the forensic facial reconstruction it can also be seen in my face ironically that I have resemblance of him as crazy and not crazy as it is A friend pointed the resemblance out to me and yes they should exhume the bones and DNA taken and put in proper coffins and reburied with proper service I think that others should also be opened like Elizabeth and many others for DNA tests I was also very surprised to find out that I'm a relative of Queen Victoria and there's many others that popped up in my DNA test that I didn't expect to show up crazy 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@duncanmacpherson2013]

Richard III was not only a usurper but also a child murderer so I am afraid I have little sympathy for him

[@steelrain5706]

@@duncanmacpherson2013 Nah, you are falling for the old Tudor propaganda the same propaganda that perpetuated the myth of Richard being a hunchback and having a clubfoot when what he actually had was a spinal deformity that just raised one shoulder above the other not a hunchback.I’ve seen his armour in Yorkshire armouries, no hunchback could get in that.Henry Tudor had far more to gain from the princes death. There is absolutely no evidence that Richard was responsible for their deaths. It would be thrown out of court today. As for being a usurper at least he was a Plantagenet the dynasty that had ruled the country since William. No the true usurper was Welshman Henry Tudor who took the crown by force on the field of Bosworth. Besides some of our greatest monarchs were usurpers, a great example would be Henry V…..

[@duncanmacpherson2013]

@@steelrain5706 He was a hunchback You only have to look at the modern scientific evidence [after all his body was subject to a thorough examination before the funeral in Leicester] He also made sure that the 'princes in the tower' had disappeared before his coronation

[@steelrain5706]

@@duncanmacpherson2013 He wasn’t a hunchback, I’ve already explained that, he had a spinal condition that caused one of his shoulders to be slightly raised….I’ve seen his armour….why people always have to argue with historical fact is beyond me….no evidence to support the narrative that he had the princes killed….but if you want to go on believing the narrative that’s your prerogative, but it doesn’t change the facts….Once again so you get it, he had a condition called scoliosis which is a bent or curved spine….the curve went sideways not outwards which would have resulted in a hunched back. He did not have a club foot. In a nutshell he is probably the most maligned monarch in English history…and if you are someone to go by, people still swallow the narrative….have a good life…

[@jwkoeniger]

First, may I commend the precision and beauty of your voice. It's a pleasant respite from the shrill cacophony of the modern speaking style. Then, having lived for several years in a French chateau on Loire near Orleans, I developed a keen sense and appreciation of history. It is my learned experience that leaves me to believe the royal remnants should stay as they lay with no further disturbance. I feel they have become one in the same as the building in which they reside. No amount of examination will change the fact that they are part of their own history and no good can come from adding a modern touch to their essence. Thank you for this opportunity to express myself in this regard.

[@mamavswild]

I’m a molecular biologist for a pharmaceutical company, but bear with me…the bones of an 18 yo female (Howard’s estimated age at death) are well formed and far from the age for that kind of described disintegration, even with Lyme. My opinion is that they simply weren’t in the correct spot. Had they pulled the entire floor, much more would have been uncovered.

[@sallygreenfield6991]

I'm an anthropologist, and I disagree with this to a certain extent. While it's true that most people's bones have ossified by the age of 18, that is not always the case. Some people just naturally take longer (up to mid-20's), and for others, diet and other health conditions can delay the ossification of bones. We also don't know about anything else (other than the lime) that might have been in the soil, but the condition of Anne's bones could imply that disintegration or other issues have caused the bones to erode or disappear (as my osteology teacher would say, critters like the little bones best, and we do know that these were shallow graves). I don't think we have enough information to assume that this assessment is impossible, though it admittedly isn't the best explanation, IMHO (which is where I agree with you).

[@lonestarbellepk]

Anne B was older than 18 years old

[@sandrafreeman4156]

Was there any Articles or pieces of Clothing found with the Bones?

[@HistoryCalling]

Nope, afraid not.

[@graphiquejack]

Anne’s expensive clothes were given to either her ladies or to the executioner, I believe, I forget whom, but they were considered payment for their work in caring for her body and burial, and in the case of the executioner, to dispatch her as quickly and painlessly as possible. She probably would have been buried in just her shift, which seems shocking for a woman who was anointed as queen, but she was officially considered a traitor and her marriage dissolved, so I suppose it wouldn’t have seemed as unsuitable to someone brought so low.