The Real Story of Anne Boleyn's Teenage Years | With Suzannah Lipscomb

What was life really like for Anne Boleyn growing up? Prof. Suzannah Lipscomb investigates the story of Anne Boleyn's remarkable upbringing in the Netherlands and France before she arrived at the heart of Tudor England. For all Anne Boleyn’s fame, this is a period of her life where the evidence is hard to find and fact needs to be carefully sifted from fiction.
Suzannah explores Anne’s childhood home, beautiful Hever Castle, to discover what made her - what formed her into the extraordinary woman who would change the course of history.
With special access to a remarkable new exhibition at Hever, Suzannah joins the curatorial team to handle and analyse the original evidence relating to Anne’s upbringing and the shaping of her character, including a significant illuminated book of hours complete with Anne’s personal signature and a newly re-examined original painting, reattributed as being of Catherine of Aragon, Henry’s queen when Anne arrived at court.
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[@Thatsmegigi]

I could listen to Dr. Susannah Lipscomb all the time! She is not only a great historian, but she has a way of setting the scene-you become immersed in the story!

[@shortone2198]

I almost didn’t watch this video because I’ve seen so many Anne documentaries but then I saw she was the presenter and the click was instant

[@Speckledlillie]

I couldn’t believe my luck when I stumbled across her podcast! Not Just the Tudors

[@teresahamrick5707]

Totally agree

[@rksnj6797]

Agreed! She's an outstanding presenter!

[@monicabloomer8021]

SAME!!!!! I literally watch her videos when I’m going to bed cause her voice is so calming and sweet!!!! LOVE HER!!!!!! I wish she would do some audibles!!! Maybe she has I just haven’t found them yet LoL

[@jewelspencer577]

Dr. Susannah Lipscomb is like the David Attenborough of historians. ❤

[@2gulfalco]

sort of look different though 😏

[@erdemsolakoglu5702]

I can listen to Suzie Lipscomb for days. She has this soothing yet not boring voice which suits really well to inform

[@adam_p99]

Plus she’s absolutely beautiful

[@corvidflight19]

Yeah I had to pause it several times just to zoom in!

[@metastract]

Some might call it a bit plummy too. Can imagine not everyone likes it.

[@annieroche22]

I need to fall asleep to something playing in the background....you are so correct in saying she has a very soothing voice

[@jessiexkitty]

Her curls and her accent too (I’m American lol). I would love her voice as my GPS 😂 She’s just so pretty and I’ve learned so much from her. Big fangirl over here.

[@elizabethpaints]

I had never researched Anne Boleyn's background. Here Prof. Suzannah Lipscomb presents it all quite nicely from the beginning of Anne's life. Now I can fully appreciate Anne Boleyn from a better perspective. We typically meet Anne when she joins Henry's court, not knowing anything about her other then having been at court in France. That is like picking up a story in the middle instead of the beginning, which does her a disservice. Excellent video!

[@2gulfalco]

whenever I see Suzannah is the host of something, I suddenly find myself particularly interested in that bit of history I wonder why that happens

[@irmaksaknc324]

I get so happy when there is new content about Anne Boleyn! 🥰 And I love Suzannah Lipscomb. Lots of love from Turkey 🥰

[@leza6288]

This is an incredible presentation! Thank you HH for bringing Dr. Lipscomb!! She’s an amazing historian.

[@susiewallace5029]

I could listen to Dr Lipscomb all day she makes history come alive

[@ladylaura8038]

Thank heaven for historians who do the research, dedicate their lives to making sure accurate stories are told with care. Thank you Dr. Lipscomb 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🤩🤩🤩 I know so much due to your teachings.

[@vanessadebrino7231]

I believe Elizabeth I remained unwed purposely to end the Tudor line as revenge for her father beheading her mother. Henry VII was obsessed with ensuring the Tudor succession and made sure young Henry followed suit. She was the greatest of the Tudor monarchs and she made sure it ended with her.

[@cakt1991]

That may be partially true, along with the likely impact of the trauma of all she lived through, seeing so many marriages end in bloodshed or tragedy. Her mother for one, but also her mother’s cousin and Henry’s fifth wife Catherine Howard, whose execution she would have been old enough to remember hearing about. Catherine Parr, Henry’s sixth wife, was a real mother figure to her and her half siblings, and Catherine died in childbirth a year after Henry, after finally marrying for love after several marriages for duty. Catherine’s widower, Thomas Seymour, schemed to marry Elizabeth even while Catherine was still alive and pregnant, with documented evidence of him basically sexually harassing Elizabeth when she lived with them. And she also was a witness to her sister Mary’s sadness and desperation as an older woman with a young husband who neglected her (Mary’s widower also propositioned Elizabeth for her hand in marriage after Mary had died). I don’t blame her if she had just seen so much that marriage wasn’t something she wanted to enter into unless she was *absolutely* certain she wouldn’t be taken advantage of. And then there’s the fact the only man she likely would have married, Robert Dudley, was already married when she took the throne and his wife died in questionable circumstances which made him marrying Elizabeth an impossibility.

[@vanessadebrino7231]

@@cakt1991 absolutely. I know there were other variables that contributed to her reason. Her father killed her mother on trumped up charges. She was smart enough to know that. So she took away the most important thing to him. Unbeknownst to him but in her mind it was justice I think.

[@shonamcwilliam4171]

I never thought of it that way before.

[@pheart2381]

She knew if she had a son then she herself would become obsolete,disposable and would probably end up being removed in some way.

[@cakt1991]

@@pheart2381 I don’t think that was the case, it was more the fear of sharing/giving up power to a husband. If she was doing a good job (and she was) her advisers and the people would remain loyal to her. As a contrast, look at her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots: She didn’t lose her throne simply because she had a son, but because of the many controversies surrounding her second husband’s death and her subsequent marriage to his alleged murderer (plus rumors of her involvement). And Mary also had the disadvantage of having been raised away from Scotland, having lived in France due to her arranged marriage to her first husband. Whereas, Elizabeth was beloved by most of the English people and had that been the focal point of rebellion in her favor in her youth, even if she wasn’t an active participant.

[@hdmairbf]

“If you play the Game of Thrones, you win or you die….” - Anne Boleyn, probably

[@JB-vd8bi]

Her fault was not hers

[@janineblaze3417]

I’ve visited Hever I was surprised by how small it was nice place though well worth a visit .I love this historian so knowledgeable and likeable.

[@Daniel_McDonald]

Thank you for sharing this fascinating insight into Anne Boleyn's life before she returned to the English court. It's amazing how much we think we know about her, yet there's still so much to uncover. It's really interesting to hear about her childhood home, Hever Castle, and the rise of her ambitious and talented father, Thomas Boleyn. Your passion for history is infectious, and I'm excited to learn more about Anne Boleyn and other historical figures through your videos. Keep up the great work!

[@anthonytroisi6682]

When Elizabeth Howard married Boleyn, did she marry her social equal?

[@MarilynRB]

The dynamic duo is back! These two are absolutely smashing together. I could listen and watch either of them for hours on end. Thank you for posting this for free; I am a paid subscriber of History Hit but this is a delight for those who aren't.

[@johnlumb1078]

I love this and the wonderful Dr Lipscomb and as a direct ancestor it is weirdly fascinating. Anne was my 13th grand aunt.

[@luxpursuits]

Lilibet… you are back 😮

[@elizabethmcpherson-lt9vh]

Fascinating. I didnt want this to end. So much additional information about Anne. She was ahead of her time.

[@marniekilbourne608]

That is a really warm and cozy home even though it's a castle. Very interesting.

[@shonamcwilliam4171]

I think it was an American millionaire who bought the castle long ago and made it and the grounds into what it is.

[@janineblaze3417]

Yes the Astor’s owned it and sympathetically restored it and added the newest parts.Although it goes back to 1383.

[@williamrobinson7435]

Thanks Prof Liscomb & team for a fascinating and beautifully presented account. Nice one! 🌟👍

[@jessiewhitman8688]

Who knew that much personality was in such a short woman. Short girl, unite! And i could listen to Dr. Susannah Lipscomb talk about history all day

[@paustinheaton]

Fascinating information from wonderful sources. Thank you.

[@verlenelewis9866]

Always enjoy content featuring Dr. Lipscomb!!

[@patriciaseybold7396]

Forgive me, but I’ve just discovered your beyond fabulous channel thank you so much got your posts. Here in America, I’ve been an A Boleyn fan for decades I love the way you bring this young woman to life.

[@nigelhamilton815]

This documentary is fab. Thank you Susie.😍

[@lisagagnon1747]

Outstanding Documentary, Thank You!✨

[@charlottesometimes2364]

The painting of Catherine of Aragon really took my breath away

[@TomokoAbe_]

Dr. Suzannah Lipscomb always has the best documentaries ever! Thank you for the most fascinating upload! Those books on 7:40 and 20:24 are incredible! So beautifully illustrated and carefully crafted text! Amazing colors and details that survived all of these centuries! Even those pages are very thick and not corrupted with mildew or mold. I would imagine even making the paper was extremely difficult; the pages are thick. That tapestry at 14:56 is huge and incredibly beautiful! Even more it survived the centuries with such detail. I find it difficult to believe this was created from individual stitches. It is magnificent!

[@joshuacole7928]

Dr Suzannah Lipscomb is an amazing historian with the voice of an angel ✌💗

[@harryedwards9318]

The Man who looks after Heaver Castle is very engaging and full of charm 😊

[@wendyhoward2699]

I love to hear you talk about this period of history. I do like all history, but this part intrigues me. Thank you.

[@lizannewhitlow1085]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@arthurerickson5162]

Thank you for a wonderful and informative presentation! I only wish that I had seen this before my visit to Hever last autumn. It would’ve added so much to my experience.

[@leewhite8355]

The best voice by far to listen to .⭐️

[@Cantetinza17]

The castle is gorgeous . She had lovely penmanship. That dress is stunning. It's such a shame what happened to her.

[@Stonewall1861]

Thanks! For the information on Anne Boleyn. Your documentaries are so interesting and very informative on this very important topic in history.

[@charlisays]

I love the storytelling combines with research and facts. Wonderful to listen to ❤

[@kristinakingsley5139]

Love this channel!❤

[@andrewmarch7891]

Thank you so much, obviously much is missing from the normal histories on offer!

[@loonylinda]

Prof Lipscombe is the best ...i love listening to and watching her...she almost makes the people she speaks about come alive. 80

[@brenda1378]

Like any British person could ever say no to Henry, She needed to say no tempered with maybe to hold him off. Her family could have been ruined and her head removed. The man was a complete tyrant.

[@glen7318]

dont be silly

[@aarons6935]

This is an insane thing to say. Henry was not a tyrant when he married Anne, only after his head injury than almost ended him did his personality change.

[@nafiahussain]

I have been fascinated by Anne Boleyn since Class 2....that's when I first heard of her. What a uniquely powerful woman.

[@giuliamartini1583]

I also love Dr. Lipscomb, she has her own way to talk about history, a very captivating way.

[@paulmaryon9088]

Thank you, wonderful video as always

[@SF-ru3lp]

Delighted to hear this fabulous lecture. I often wondered about certain things. This lecture has filled in several gaps for me. Thank you Dr Suzannah and thank you Channel. G Ire

[@joansavage1857]

Brilliant! Thank you…

[@HawkqOjOp]

Suzie always makes me feel like I was there. Hever is on my bucket list, along with the rest of England. I love those tiny windows in Hever that are above your head so you can privately roam or roast in front of the fire in your nightgown. Kate and Emerson seem like awesome people - I so envy both their careers. I want to hear all about Kate's new research. I just drink up these new specials. Thank you!! p.s. Suzie - 1501! 1501! lol

[@shonamcwilliam4171]

That was great. I didn't want it to end.

[@BlackNight603]

Dr. Lipscomb is such a great storyteller

[@amywebb4586]

I love Tudor history. During the pandemic I was reading so much about the Cousin's War & the Tudors (fictional & nonfictional) the one thing I kept seeing about Anne is she wasn't pretty or beautiful "like other English women" but she was "exotic" and "continental". Also if that portrait at Hever is actually Katherine of Aragon...you could see such...sadness (might be the word) in her eyes. Like they said I shouldn't infer anything. But there is just something about her eyes in that painting.

[@davidcreager1945]

Bravo ! History Hit 👍 very interesting video ! Really makes Anne come to life and reminds us she was more than Henry's wife. Also loved seeing her child hood home ! Beautiful !

[@tonette1813]

Ive always wondered what her childhood would be like. Thanks for this

[@loudspeakers3469]

Wonderful, thank you so much.

[@Lindsay8585]

I adore Susannah Lipscomb! She’s fantastic.

[@wizzywow123456]

Great documentary!

[@LuzMaria95]

Dr. Suzannah Lipscomb is my favorite.

[@sarimento1]

Without doubt, if a lovely, worldly, knowing and eloquent Medieval princess were to be reincarnated today, she would be Professor Suzy!! Great work!!

[@jillhawkshaw2021]

I love tudor especially Anne Boleyn

[@lexie7702]

I am absolutely intrigued by Anne she was wise beyond her time & truly gifted & educated !! As well as very cosmopolitan I think King Henry knew this & felt threatened!! He was a tyrant such a sad & tragic love story !!!

[@aarons6935]

She was not ahead of her time at all.

[@nancyhammons3594]

Thank you, I enjoyed that history lesson.

[@elizzybec]

I love this lady! She's adorable and passionate and witty!

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Oh my that exquisite tapestry! I’ve always thought of Anne as far too brilliant for her time and Henry.

[@aarons6935]

Not really, she wasn't unique at all for her time.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

@@aarons6935 for a woman of her class she was very well educated and relatively well travelled. Spoke many languages.She supported Protestantism…I could on but she was unusual.

[@OoxBethany]

I’m such a big Anne fan 🤗 such an amazing woman far ahead of her time. I’ve been to Hever too, it’s absolutely stunning 🏰

[@Stitchwitchstitch]

This was so fun to watch! Sad too, though- knowing what came.

[@tarjakangas6681]

Loved it❤

[@supermariomaker2glitchhunt329]

I’d read Ann joined Mary Tudor in France, after the death of Mary’s husband (King of France). Also, Ann had exceptionally dark, possibly black hair, therefore, that can’t be her @ the wedding.... it could however, be Ann’s sister, Mary, who it’s said, was fair haired.

[@glen7318]

nothing is known of Anne's childhood at Hever

[@karhlhenselien2260]

Sue would be a great school teacher,I would of listen more lol.She is one very beautiful lady 👍😘

[@shaneomack5018]

I could listen to ms Susannah read ingredients from a cereal box all day long

[@rubaidaallen2764]

I’m very intrigued by her years in France.

[@jackbuckley7816]

This is a great doc on Anne Boleyn. Would love to visit Hever someday, the perfect castle of one's imagination, along with its beautiful grounds. It looked as though the back of the castle had a passageway connecting it to one of the buildings in the village, immediately behind the castle. This probably is a modern addition serving as an administrative and/or visitor function, though, of course, I may be wrong. The painting that was discussed near the end of the program, believed originally to depict Katherine Parr, I knew at a glance was Katherine of Aragon, as it's so similar to other images of her, especially the one that's presented most commonly, the one discussed there in Hever resembling it extremely closely. I'm surprised it perplexed experts, thinking it was Parr rather than Aragon. My favorite part of the doc was at the end where the lifesize model of Anne was shown & discussed. Though her face intentionally is left blank, the authentic Tudor gown, gabled hood, etc., nevertheless brings Anne to life. I tried to visualize how she actually would have looked & to be standing there in my presence---or rather, my standing there in Anne's presence! A shivery thrill went through me at the thought! I tried picturing the future, ill-fated queen standing there, looking as she does, based on the painting of her shown throughout the program, which I believe probably is very close to how Anne did, in fact, look. Another shivery thrill just thinking about that. Anyway, great show!

[@chrisrush176]

I finally visited Hever castle 2022 and was both amazed and disappointed. The only original part of the castle was the outer walls. In 1903, it was acquired and restored by the American millionaire William Waldorf Astor, who used it as a family residence. He completed a restoration, added the Tudor village (also known as the Astor Wing) at the rear and also added the Italian Garden to display his collection of statuary and ornaments.

[@jackbuckley7816]

@@chrisrush176 Very interesting. Thanks for the info.

[@candyclews4047]

I grew up in the village of Hever as my father worked for the then owner, Lord Astor. back in the 1960s and 70s. The castle was only open to the public on a few occasions so I had a magical childhood, free to run around the grounds and down to the lake. Occasionally, I would be able to go into the Castle itself (I especially loved Carol Singing at Christmas time where Lord & Lady Astor would give us all hot drinks and mince pies!). You're right, there is a whole administrative block at the back, which of course was not there in Anne's time. St Peter's Church in Hever is also worth visiting and Anne's father, Sir Thomas Bolyen, is buried there. I went back to Hever, years later (having emigrated to NZ) and was shocked to see how commercial the place had become - but I suppose, that's considered progress!

[@jackbuckley7816]

@@candyclews4047 Thank you for your response & most interesting recollections. You had a wonderful childhood there indeed!

[@nicolemunoz3680]

I WOULD LOVE TO AS WELL... I LOVE THIS WOMAN... THE THINGS SHE MUST HAVE WENT THROUGH...SHE HAS MY RESPECT

[@ShallowApple22]

I love how similar Elizabeth’s writing style was to her mothers ❤

[@natwel1544]

Thanks

[@sharonbaker3007]

“Britain’s most recent rendering of the story of Anne Boleyn, begins at the end. When the new mini-series “Anne Boleyn” opens, it’s 1536, the queen is pregnant and powerful - and has five months left to live.”

[@Mr.D-Mentia]

RIP brave Majesty❤🙏

[@phoebsc5993]

Dr Lipscomb is my fave.)

[@robert9495]

The Tudors series peaked my interest into Anne Boleyn's life. A pity she was executed on trumped up charges her being a pious woman. How can such a pious woman be charges with adultery, incest and conspiring to kill her husband the king? Outrageous! Apparently her beong unable to deliver a male heir as was the custom back then through no fault of her own but through the will of God, made her a lot of enemies. In our time a woman would never make an enemy out of anyone for having girls instead of boys but such were the times and customs back then that if as a woman of her station she was unable to provide a male heir to the king she would be seen as today's equivalent of enemy of the state. We consider this ridiculous and absurd today and it is but it was the norm back then. The world was not as advanced in theology (in terms of having a better more profiund understanding of religion) medicine science and the likes. LE: May God rest her soul and forgive her sins, whatever they may have been for no one is without sin, save for our saviour Jesus Christ.

[@paularupcic8504]

Definitely trumped up. Most dates that were stated that she was cheating, were dates she was recovering from abortion or on some other important documented event where she was nowhere close to other accused.

[@JennzOrs]

We can speculate so much based on written and verbal history, but we'll never really know. I wish I could be a fly on the wall of this place in history. I wouldn't want to live then since women were so underappreciated and life was so hard, but I'd love to see how it really was.

[@imhavingsomuchfun7464]

Love Hever it’s the most beautiful place

[@lillianmcgrew217]

History ❤

[@sarahgrandy7074]

Interesting video. I'm surprised that they let her touch Anne Boleyn's book without gloves on.

[@pattierotondo1108]

Wearing gloves while handling books is no longer advised as it once was.

[@aarons6935]

They cause more damage than the oils on our skin.

[@Ellsa_Lee]

For all that has been said and seen of Anne Boleyn, I, too, if I was Henry VIII, would've felt drawn to her. She was intelligent, open, loose, very liberal. Katherine of Aragon was a warrior princess, yes, beautiful, womderful, constant, and perfect as a queen, but Anne was rather fresh to the eyes, rather interesting and unashamed about her fiesty nature.

[@bettyleeist]

My friend;Nancy Snyder would love ❤️ this historical documentary on Anne Boleyn!Because,she like’s this kind of history to hear about!

[@CihangirCagatay]

thanx a lot for covering the grand grand ma,much love!🍋

[@aarons6935]

You wish she was.

[@eileenmcparland2158]

Very interesting. My 15th great grandmother Katherine Howard was the sister of Anne's mother which makes Ann my first cousin.

[@tateyoongijk9576]

I Just love this video so much HUGH fan 🎉

[@karieschneider746]

The painting of Catherine of Aragon at Hever is beautiful, and you can see a little bit of the Hapsburg chin, which, I read, became more pronounced as she aged and gained weight.

[@LupitaPolit-ng5pf]

Facineiting history amaizing fron England thank you scharming and grapful peaceful nice

[@nancyM1313]

Tfsharing 🌸🌸🕊🌸🌸

[@robnewman6101]

Kings & Queens of England since 1066.

[@mch12311969]

Sure fire way to get me to watch a video, is to have it be presented by Dr. Lipscomb; I just happen to be interested in Anne Boleyn as well.

[@stankovamarcela7406]

I do absolutely❤ as you think that Ann was inspired as a teenage by Mary Tudor at her wedding in France!!!

[@botpolice429]

Catherine of Aragon ❤️

[@rickjensen2717]

Interesting talk. We actually don't have an authentic image of Anne (except a rather battered, small and poorly defined image in metal) - the portrait shown with the 'B' necklace is apparently unlikely to be of her.

[@aarons6935]

There is serious debate of this, it's equally as likely it is her.

[@maureenmcallister2393]

What are the houses behind the castle connected by that covered walkway?

[@wendyway6979]

No one knows when Anne wrote the "time will come" inscription. It could refer to grief and the hope to see a beloved person again, her hope to see home and family after being away for a long time, her expected marriage before Henry's interest. People assume the inscription refers to her plotting to be queen but it could be many things much more human and mundane...

[@mousemd]

Most talked about next to Elizabeth. I believe QEI is the favored subject of films

[@debgok]

It seems to me that Anne had no reason to believe she would be a queen in her girlhood. How could she? And what can we say of a man who would literally prostitute his daughters to a king for the sake of his own ambition? How could this have not marked Anne? Especially after witnessing what happened to Mary as a result?

[@Mary.Quantum426]

There are fathers in some cultures who still do this today.

[@aarons6935]

Because Henry when he met Anne was exceedingly good looking and tall. At the start of his reign he was charismatic and kind, it was only after his severe head injury did he change.

[@aarons6935]

​@@Mary.Quantum426Mothers do equally abhorrent things

[@aarons6935]

​​@@Mary.Quantum426Have you seen some of the things mothers do in those same culture?.

[@aarons6935]

​@@Mary.Quantum426You're so painfully wrong, it isn't one sided.

[@skontheroad]

Anne may have been raised there, but Henry gave the house to his new "sister" Anne of Cleves, as she became when he annuled the marriage. She never remarried, but what became of her? And those who lived there afterwards??

[@Rebecca_English]

Anne of Cleves actually never lived at Hever, although it was one of the many residences given to her after the annulment. She pretty much lived her best life after Henry. She and Henry became good friends. Henry "adopted" her as his sister and often invited her to court. She even had amicable relationships with Henry's daughters until Mary suspected her of plotting with Elizabeth in 1554. After that, Anne never came back to court. Instead, she lived quietly on her estates until her death in 1557. Dr Kat of the Reading the Past KZbin channel has a wonderful discussion about Anne of Cleves that goes into depth on her life.

[@merricat3025]

​@@Rebecca_Englishmaybe she was plotting with Elizabeth

[@Rebecca_English]

@@merricat3025 quite possibly! At the time, she was spending time with Elizabeth, but unless new information comes to light, we can't be sure.

[@tapatton9]

Idgaf about Anne Boleyn but I'd listen to Dr. Suzanne talk about her all day.

[@lindsaywarden1746]

Ann spent her very early years at Blickling Hall, (Bickling?) in Norfolk

[@MsShawnPhx]

Will someone fix the chapter titles, that have Berlin instead of Boleyn, and Ours instead of Hours, and Annes instead of Anne's?

[@mritzs5142]

I recently watched something on her sister and her, very strained relationship and their distant , relationship competition etc especially since Mary being Henry V111’s mistress that he disregarded