What did Anne Boleyn Look like?

"What did Anne Boleyn look like?" is a question that is often asked, and various actresses have been criticised for not being true to Anne Boleyn's looks - Natalie Dormer with her blue eyes and Miranda Raison for playing her blonde. But what did Anne Boleyn look like?
Did Anne Boleyn have dark hair?
Did Anne Boleyn have dark eyes?
Was Anne Boleyn beautiful?
Or was she the Anne Boleyn of Nicholas Sander's description, complete with an extra finger, jaundiced skin, a wen and a projecting tooth?
Claire Ridgway, founder of the Anne Boleyn Files and author of several books on Anne Boleyn, looks at how she was described by her contemporaries. Claire also talks about portraits and the contemporary images we have of Anne.
Links:
“Anne Boleyn’s Appearance” video from 2011- • Anne Boleyn's Appearance
Did Anne Boleyn have six fingers? • Did Anne Boleyn have S...
Coronation seating plan - see image in my article at www.theanneboleynfiles.com/1s...
1534 medal - www.britishmuseum.org/researc...
Find out more about Lucy Churchill's replica of the medal at www.lucychurchill.com/AnneBole...
Roland Hui's article on the Lady of the Garter image can be read at tudorfaces.blogspot.com/2017/...
Portraits:
National Portrait Gallery - www.npg.org.uk/collections/se...
Hever Castle Anne Boleyn with Rose - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
John Hoskins miniature of Anne Boleyn - www.theanneboleynfiles.com/th...
You can see a few more at www.theanneboleynfiles.com/re...

[@elinat2414]

I think the main part of Anne’s appeal was in her intelligence, charm and the way she carried herself, rather than her physical beauty.

[@leonieromanes7265]

She had charisma and sex appeal.

[@christinasenter8187]

I see her as beautiful charming. When I think of her I've watched every play and tv series also films The only one I can say that reminds me of the image I have in my head was Genevieve Bujold all the rest said into obscurity.

[@sueob3488]

I know this sounds morbid, but I wish some authority would exhume Anne's head and do a forensic face reconstruction as they did with Richard III.

[@melvawages7143]

the problem is they are not sure it is her body they found. Several aristocratic women were beheaded and buried here including Jane Parker and Katherine Howard.

[@francesrosecarmel]

Great idea!

[@haileypike1213]

they really should, i have the same thing a few times

[@amygee9859]

Sue OB me too! There is one facial reconstruction that’s so lifelike... and beautiful !

[@DrSleep00]

Would love to see that and a lot of other people ie Giacomo Casanova.

[@mariewinter6226]

I keep thinking about Natalie Dormer in The Tudors when I think of Anne Boleyn. Her portrayal of her was so layered and magnetic, you couldn't help but feel for her and love her, even though she had her flaws. She didn't really look like what Anne may have looked like, but I think she captured her essence, her sex-appeal and her wit really well. Didn't really like Natalie Portman's or Claire Foy's portrayal in comparison.

[@mariewinter6226]

I don't think of the Tudors as an accurate representation of what truly happened, I'm just saying I loved Natalie Dormer's portrayal of that version of her. I agree that she probably didn't even want everything she ended up having, but she had no choice.. you couldn't just say no to a King, especially to this one

[@autumnbottoms5743]

Marie Winter I think Natalie Dormer really captured her essence very well and the best of Anne. I agree completely, she did a wonderful job of bringing her spirit back to life much better than Natalie Portman. 🌹

[@moony2831]

I agree. I immidiately see Natalie Dormer when I think of Anne too.

[@andreawaibel3584]

Yes, Natalie Dormer was a fantastic Anne, but considering looks alone, Natalie Portman was a good choice.

[@andreawaibel3584]

Also, I'm very curious to know if they tried dark contacts on Natalie Dormer. It had to have crossed the creators' minds of The Tudors.

[@laurnias1516]

I would love to have a professional sketch artist sketch Anne, but not know who they were sketching. Give them all of the descriptions, and just see what that would look like.

[@AnastaciaInCleveland]

Good idea! ~Anastacia in Cleveland, OH, USA

[@ninjateamariana]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGGzl3mIesaUlaM&ab_channel=MysteryScoop just saw this the other day! maybe interesting for you

[@smallfries3462]

Maybe some day they will need to do a floor repair where she's buried and have to repair the tomb and they could do a 3D copy of her skull and the facial reconstructionist at the University of Edinburgh could rebuild her face

[@OoxB505]

I’ve read Eric Ives’ biography of Anne, it’s very well researched and written. Poor Anne didn’t deserve most of the hate she was subject to, and I think she was innocent of the charges against her. She did have the last laugh with Elizabeth reigning so long though 🙌🏻

[@annfeeney1662]

Bxb I think Anne’s family used her hook into Henry for their own advancement within the court . she and her brother weren’t engage$ in incest . I fact, wasn’t it a possibility that her brother George was gay ?

[@glamsky3257]

You can't laugh when you're already dead.

[@sekichdawn3913]

💕

[@kerrypeters4724]

Agree those charges were trumped against her definitely and Elizabeth was true queen

[@King_Edwards1605]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKXIapRnj5x8fZI

[@seagypsiesbellydancers3047]

Natalie Dormers performance in the Tudors was magnificent! You couldn’t help but love her x

[@jeanroughley1126]

Natalie Dormer did a fantastic job in the Tudors. I think she portrayed Anne's charm, intelligence and flirtatious nature admirably. Her Anne was irresistible. Her beautiful blue eyes kept distracting me however. Then I had the pleasure of seeing Wolf Hall. Claire Foy's Anne is magnificent. Again, the blue eyes. I picture her with dark hair and dark eyes. I really hope she didn't resemble the medallion too closely. Wish we could take DNA.

[@spookyxstylist]

I think aside from the blue eyes, Dormer looks a fair amount like the NPG Anne. The true likeness of that photo is highly debated, however.

[@earthnsky1785]

I think so, too.

[@neconeconeco]

I really like the choice of casting her despite her blue eyes because I think they are both the same kind of sort of beauty - Natalie is certainly lovely but if you were to describe her only on her physical appearance much of what makes her SO beautiful wouldn't shine through. It's how she uses her natural charisma and grace that really makes her a knock-out. I suspect Anne was much the same - pretty enough but with a personality that just made her irresistible.

[@tmlawson751]

I can't believe they didn't insist on brown color eye contacts lol

[@aericabison23]

The medallion is an image made on metal. You can only do so much with a medium like that. It would have been much easier to make a sketch of her on paper and make it more accurate to how she looked than carve or impress an image onto a metal medallion and expect the same amount of accuracy.

[@alix5704]

After seeing Anne portrayed by so many pretty little things in movies and on TV, I was wondering what she did in fact look like. Thanks for this video; gives me some guidance in picturing her. In a way she reminds me of the fictional heroine Scarlett O'Hara, who ended up being portrayed in the movie as a great beauty when in fact the first line of the book says, "Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it..." And then there's Cleopatra VII, who is almost universally described as physically beautiful, when actual history seems to indicate she was not. What I find interesting is that a woman apparently has to be "beautiful" to be interesting.

[@amasion2882]

I think Anne had charisma and sex appeal. “Beauty” and “sexy” aren’t the same thing. She also demonstrated a lot of intellectual and emotional intelligence. She likely wasn’t conventionally beautiful but she had that sparkling personality, elegance and magnetic sex appeal that smart men value. She was much more than good looks. I think filmmakers deliberately cast “beautiful” (by conventional present day standards) actresses to portray Anne as a “shortcut” and to “dumb things down” to viewers. Catherine of Aragon is always portrayed as dark, unattractive and poorly aged (in reality she was a great beauty albeit older) and Anne is always this radiant, lively, gorgeous young woman. In reality Anne didn’t meet the beauty standards of her time, being very slim and flat-chested and sallow and dark.

[@Saucyakld]

That's so true! If you met me without talking to me you would not even give me a second glance! But talk to me you realise I am attractive and beauty fades, personality does not!

[@candicehoneycutt4318]

A Masion They portray Catherine of Aragon as looking actually Spanish with dark features, when most of the written accounts described her as being fair complected with reddish hair and blue eyes.

[@brendaleverick3655]

Cleopatra was an intelligent woman who spoke multiple languages and was quite educated and good with people.

[@simonewardle3742]

Margaret of Salisbury and Margaret Tudor ( Henry v 11 mother)were never considered beautiful but were always considered interesting. Add to that learned,majestic, formidable, most loving, modest( in the Tudor sense which was a high compliment) . These compliments to their abilities are more impressive than being pretty which is objective as tastes and times change.

[@feemassey4587]

I always think of the Holbein sketches when I think of her appearance. Also the miniature portrait in Elizabeth's ring. She has such a presence in those images to me.

[@valentinagorini1996]

I agree with you! Especially in the ring miniature... whenver I see the ring minuature I feel Anne's presence.

[@mcbrineart]

Definitely - Holbein drew and painted the true appearance of individuals and I believe there is very little chance that John Cheke made a mistake in identifying Anne as he knew her personally even though it isn't the most flattering image that we would like to see.

[@franm.8343]

The Holbein sketch entitled Lady Boleyn, is the image I associate with Anne the most. When I first saw the sketch, I immediately felt that this was the Anne I had read about. The sketch captures her intelligence, grace and her spirit. I do realise that the sketch could have been another Boleyn family member. but I aways felt that it was Anne before she was Queen.

[@edenmoon8275]

@@franm.8343 It is possible but I always think it is Mary Boleyn for some reason

[@jordanbelmonte4992]

I think of Natalia Dormer in that she was someone who was beautiful but in a less conventional way... more of a quirky beauty and also had a lot of character and personal magnetism.

[@gardengirl7446]

Those bells ringing! Awesome!

[@BIGNOIDS]

She wasn't black that's for sure, I sometimes wonder how far we'll need to travel down the woke rabbit hole before we reach the normal world again.

[@earthnsky1785]

It's meant to start racial tension. Because when logical people insist the truth of her race, the easily offended group (who is always looking for things to be offended of) will start rioting and burning cities.

[@springmoon5616]

Are you talking about this new Anne Boylen show where we see a black woman portraying the 2nd queen of England? I found that show is... Inaccurate but okay.

[@billreid5307]

I think of Natalie Dormer but with dark expressive eyes. Natalie has the stature and other features most agreed upon by historians.

[@sarahvanorden670]

She also played Anne in the Showtime series The Tudors

[@iamagoogler3324]

The series could have had Dormer wear dark contacts! But the showrunners didn’t worry much about matching the actor’s appearance to the historical figure - e.g., JRM is an engaging actor who looks nothing like Henry. (And the series didn’t suffer TOO much from its failure to focus on historical accuracy.)

[@Melissa-px9jq]

I actually think Michelle Dockery (who plays Lady Mary in Downton Abbey) has the closest features. Even Lady Mary had similarly 'upper class' but mischievous and manipulative characteristics that resemble Anne Boleyn.

[@Victoriacariad]

@@iamagoogler3324 The common problem with actors wearing contacts is that a good part of their emotion comes from their eyes, and contacts have a tendency to block that.

[@autumnbottoms5743]

Bill Reid Exactly! 👏❤👏🌹

[@ninnin261]

I trust the Holbein sketches. Those are the most lifelike and the images are consistent...Obviously of the same woman and sketched from life.

[@celiamiranda8909]

I always think of Natalie dormer as Anne Boleyn, I know she doesn’t resemble Anne from descriptions but I think she played Anne’s persona well from what I imagine.

[@janupczak5059]

Hello Claire... One of the problems I've always had with trying to picture Anne, is the fact that what is considered "beauty" seems to change so radically through the ages. It's very difficult for me to imagine what constituted beauty enough to make King Henry do what he did to "have her." When I look back even to the nineteenth century, and what was considered beautiful in a woman, it seems to share little resemblance to what we find attractive today. I suppose there are some constants, but what are considered attractive features has changed even in my lifetime. I just wish someone would've had a camera, lol!

[@Lolibeth]

Yeah, that's also the problem with seeing busts of Cleopatra and saying she wasn't beautiful. Beauty standards are cultural and they change. Just because we don't think some person is that attractive, doesn't mean their contemporaries didn't. Like, the 17th century England thought aquiline noses on women were a mark of beauty and intelligence. Today anything larger than a button is "unfeminine" and not pretty. (This is a gross exaggeration, please don't be super literal and start yelling "BUT NOT ALL PEOPLE THINK THAT")

[@edennis3202]

Then there's the question of pheromones. She might have had them in spades. The women in my family are like that, not beautiful at all, but very attractive to men.

[@terrignazari6330]

There is also, to coin a French term, the affect of 'allure'. It isn't physical beauty, per se, but many consider it to be far more valuable. It's a combination of intelligence, savvviness, an understanding of what appeals to the opposite sex, refinement, a touch of sauciness, often a sense of style, a certain panache and many other things. I believe this is what Anne had and it was what attracted Henry to the point of obsession.

[@frightbat208]

She certainly didn’t have a protruding tooth, 6 fingers and a wart, though.

[@annfeeney1662]

Jan Upczak I think Anne’s beauty was enhanced by her seductive personality .

[@JoannaHenwood]

Anne Boleyn is my fourth cousin, 14 times removed. (I'm actually related to her in more than one way in my family tree, on a different line she is also a 6th cousin 13 times removed). I imagine her as being slim and having dark hair with auburn lights, high cheekbones, sparkling dark eyes with a vivacity, wit and intelligence which fascinated men and made her beautiful, rather than being a conventional beauty.

[@vikkiTV212]

This is so interesting! You should do a video on this on your own channel... I would totally watch it.

[@Kimllg88]

My interior vision of her is something along the lines of Angjelica Huston...very attractive rather than conventionally pretty.

[@lorianng.8227]

She had 6 fingers on her right hand, a double chin, black hair and bad teeth. I watched a 2 hour documentary and science and history has proven she was homely.

[@lorianng.8227]

She was devious and nasty. Henry bedded her sister before her. Her family had a plan to get her married off to King Henry.

[@JoannaHenwood]

@@lorianng.8227 Some of those assertions were made by people years after her death, who had their own agenda. Others were made by contemporaries who were trying to discredit Anne. She was probably attractive rather than a beauty, and she was certainly no saint. But if she was as ugly as you are making out, it's highly unlikely Henry would have been so beguiled that he invented divorce, ditched a popular, loyal wife and dissolved a national religion for her!

[@dallastaylor5479]

I have no idea. I guess i see her as more charismatic than beautiful. Don't we always want what we can't have. Then we get it and wonder why we wanted it in the first place.

[@ehowiehowie7850]

Think it's human nature xx

[@sarawright8310]

I always picture someone like Natalie Portman when I think of Anne 💕 Appearance wise that is

[@jodydiou]

Me too

[@juliaalexander5788]

yes

[@ShallowApple22]

I think the film the other Boleyn girl has a major factor to how we imagine Anne as Natalie Portman absolutely killed the role . She has the “cleopatra” effect

[@jman4668]

@@ShallowApple22 what is the Cleopatra effect?

[@ShallowApple22]

@@jman4668 Cleopatra has been portrayed as a physically beautiful woman after her death more so however when a coin with her image was found it showed a woman who wasn't "traditionally beautiful" but who was charismatic and wowed with her sex appeal intelligence and her dominance exactly how Anne was portrayed in a similar fashion

[@aprilnelson9044]

I, too, think that Genevieve Bujold's Anne was wonderful, and it has always been how I pictured her in my mind. I had that image in my mind, more or less, before I saw the film, and as soon as I saw her on the screen I thought "Yes, that's it! That's her!"

[@laurenabcd1008]

natalie portman looked like the real anne the most,but other than that it is a work of fiction.good choice for her though

[@jillniemczynski5517]

I saw Anne of the Thousand Days when I was younger. I had no opinion of Ms Bujold (sp) because I wasn't into Tudor history then. But when I first saw Natalie Dormer as Anne she struck me immediately as the perfect Anne Boleyn. She captured the soul of Anne for me. Her looks were just right also. But I could imagine Anne having that determination & strength that Natalie portrayed. I hope they do find that contemporary portrait! That would be amazing! And hello to Her Majesty for gracing us with her presence TWICE! Can't wait for tomorrow! 👸👑🏰🎪🎭💙🐈

[@barbarajonas4003]

I loved Natalie Dormer's portrayal of Anne too! The series wasn't the same without her.

[@Cissy2cute]

@@barbarajonas4003 What is interesting is that Natalie Dormer is a huge fan of Anne Boleyn herself. She was originally supposed to play her as a blond but she refused because it was obviously very historically inaccurate. Kudos to Ms. Dormer.

[@joybrautigam9529]

Natalie Dormer did a wonderful job but I'm of the opposite opinion. I think Geneveive Bujold's performance of Anne Boleyn is still the best, down to the slight French accent. Natalie Dormer, I think, was too pretty and voluptuous, and those blue eyes. Anne Boleyn was reportedly "pretty enough" but no beauty. It's said Elizabeth had her mothers' features and her father's coloring.

[@alarahalbach8665]

Yes, Natalie Dormer was perfekt!

[@alarahalbach8665]

@@barbarajonas4003 exactly!

[@KianaLaika]

agree that Genevieve Bujold is what I think Anne Boleyn looks like.

[@emmaponymous]

Anne of a Thousand Days is one of my favorite representations of Anne but Geneviève Bujold's cute button nose isn't quite horsey enough.

[@ThatMommaSimmer]

I'd LOVE to see a forensic artist be able to see the actual skull for recreation. A bit ghoulish, I know but I've pictured Anne my whole life and I want to know what she looks like

[@cathy1703]

I’m so delighted to find your channel! I remember seeing Anne of a thousand days and agree that Genevieve Bujold made a great depiction of what I imagine her to look like. I actually spend a lot of time thinking about what she looked like , her clothes, voice etc. I think she had a tiny build but a strong presence and maybe the combination made her unique. I don’t think she was a classic beauty. Instead, I think she must have possessed a lot of charisma in order to create such strong feelings in Henry. It sounds from your research that her eyes must have been especially striking. I’m looking forward to watching more of your channel and I’ll check out your books too!

[@anneboleynfiles]

Thank you! I'm thrilled you found me and that you enjoyed my video. There are lots more on my channel, so do have a good browse. Yes, I think she was striking and there was definitely something about her eyes. I think she was one of those women who wasn't classically beautiful but who had magnetism and made people notice her.

[@whimsicalsloth6411]

When I see portraits of Elizabeth I I can see very little of Henry in her face which encourages me to believe that there were more physical similarities between mother and daughter, despite Elizabeth's differing colouring). Of course we'll probably never know for sure though. I like to think that one of the Holbein sketches is of Anne (the one covered by Bendor Grosvenor and David Starkey). Even if it isn't her, this lady had many of the facial features attributed to Anne- the aqualine nose, oval face, high cheekbones etc. Anne's true likeness has always haunted me because for many years I had taken for granted that the National Portrait Gallery portrait was of her. Now I know that the best thing we have to go by is a damaged medal. I really hope that a contemporary likeness comes to light and gives this fascinating woman some dignity.

[@jordanns3464]

Anne of the Thousand Days is the first image of Anne that pops into my head. The film was incredible & she embodies Anne so well.

[@shawnnewell4541]

My understanding is that Katherine of Aragon preferred her ladies in waiting to be handsome in appearance. So Anne would have to been somewhat good looking but not stunningly beautiful. I always think of her as having raven hair and her eyes being the most alluring feature. Large and dark eyes that conveyed her emotions. I too always think of Genevieve Bujold as Anne Boleyn. Natalie Dormer visually didn't meet my expectations but she did get her personality better than Bujold.

[@76jonboi]

No Katherine knew being born 👑 she knew she had to have the nobles daughters as lady's in waiting all the pretty girls was at every court in Europe unless you were the most beauty queen's Princess in the land But Consorts know the king will have affairs when she s pregnant or on periods. It happened in her mother's court henryV court. Elizabeth Woodville had her beautiful sisters brothers then daughters..... Queens even ruling Queens knew they had to have the pretty ladies Mary Queen of Scotland was a rarity when no other women could have her beauty warmth genorosity she was know as the most beautiful Queen by most Kings dukes of Europe till her ♥ ruled her head

[@joybrautigam9529]

I thought Bujold portrayed her better in personality but I did like Dormer's performance.

[@LordMarvin1993]

I love unconventional beauty

[@KayKayDuchess]

Adelaide Kane who played Mary Stuart in the show Reign makes me think of the descriptions of Anne Boleyn. The dark hair, eyes and skin really seem to match. I do think of Natalie Dormer as well even though she does have blue eyes she just played Anne so well in The Tudors.

[@victoriascotttheclassicist3692]

I love your comments about the bells in almost all of the videos. They light up my day!

[@Corbeaux08]

I actually really liked the actress who was cast as Anne in Lucy Worsley’s “Six Wives” documentary, I thought her appearance looked really authentic. (All the first three seemed pretty well-cast, actually, Catherine of Aragon should have looked a bit softer and rounder, but at least they got her fair coloring right.) Genevieve Bujold’s Anne was really lovely, but I always thought the real Anne must have been a bit more willowy. I’ve also always had a soft spot for the Hever castle portrait, and until I’m proven definitely wrong, it will always be the image I have in my head for Anne.

[@lyndsaylou09]

I agree with you there, I started watching that series again and was impressed with the casting of the wives. They are all fairly accurate and that Anne was probably the most accurate I feel like. There is a six wives series by David Starkey that is quite a bit older floating around on KZbin with good casting as well for Anne.

[@samanthafinn4544]

The Hever Castle portrait is how I imagine Anne

[@sueob3488]

Same here.

[@sassytbc7923]

since Hever Castle was her home, I would tend to agree.

[@AprilBird4]

I love that you mention "Anne of a thousand days". That was the first time I'd heard of Anne Boleyn & Henry VIII. I was born in 1965 & saw it on TV in the US sometime in the early 70s. Of course I thought it was all true. That was the beginning of my fascination with the Tudors & I have enjoyed learning the real story as best we know it. I love all the research you are able to provide. The actress in Anne of a thousand days will always be the picture in my head of queen Anne Boleyn.

[@EnglishVirgo]

Your videos are quickly becoming my favourite part of the day. I don't often share channels with people, but I have with this channel. Thank you for your videos.xx

[@anneboleynfiles]

Thank you for spreading the word!

[@tamilarimer7690]

Dorothy Tutin played Anne Boleyn in the BBC series The Six Wives of Henry VIII with Keith Michell(1970). The actress had dark and expressive eyes.

[@Rebecca-fg7pp]

I love that series! I thought the actress playing Anne did an amazing job.

[@rowenacook3021]

Anne was well educated so her and the king would have had a lot in common. Loved music and theology

[@sassytbc7923]

From what I have read, both Ann and Henry were accomplished musicians, as well as composers. That is one thing that really got me interested in the Tudor period, and Henry VIII's court in particular.

[@rowenacook3021]

Can't imagine him falling in love with someone ugly

[@joybrautigam9529]

She wasn't "ugly." If a woman is intelligent, graceful, charming, witty and "exotic" why not? We all know women who are not beauties who have plenty of admirers. Anne is said to have beautiful black eyes, and long black hair. She had a wonderful sense of fashion and she was a good dancer. She didn't have 6 fingers, she had a slight extra nail growth on her pinkie.

[@jamiemohan2049]

She just wasnt blonde or a red head with light eyes. She most likely was facially attractive.

[@annfeeney1662]

Rowena Cook yes . Remember poor Anne of CLEEVES ?

[@stephanierichards1096]

I cant really picture Anne Ive read she wore the rounded French headress instead of the gable shaped English one, though the lead medallion shows otherwise I think she must have had alot of charm and have an attractiveness about her. Above all I think of her as disciplined and clever. Talk about playing the long game with Henry, that mustn't have been easy.

[@lilystonne4108]

I think Genevieve Bujold is the actress who most resembles Anne Boleyn, although the nose as depicted on the metal coin does not look the same as G.B.'s nose, which is more upturned. Also we cannot judge Anne beauty by our modern standards because they may not have been the same as Tudor standards. Although the portrait on the coin does not show a particularly beautiful woman (in my opinion), the fact that King Henry VIII was captivated enough to break with Rome in order to marry her, is sufficient evidence of Anne's beauty.

[@Kpink744]

Lily Stonne I totally agree

[@robertalbano3826]

I caught a feeling also when I saw the movie years ago about Genevieve playing the part. great actress.

[@mplbooks]

Did I see a cat?

[@anneboleynfiles]

Yes! They like to do their cat cameos. The dogs sometimes do too.

[@MartinwoodForest]

I always love the furry photo bombs!

[@angelahartley3212]

A Tudor cat?!

[@SpikeHowells]

I saw it too 40 secs in

[@brendaleverick3655]

Yes, you did. A pretty black kitty, with a collar.

[@tonyalogan5095]

Once again Claire you have read my mind!! I have spent much time wondering what Queen Anne looked like. Thank you for another intriguing videos.

[@MrReded69]

What most people know about Anne Boleyn? She wasn't black! Except for these guys doing a new mini-series who just cast a black woman as Anne!

[@maryh3470]

That be Anne smokin a Bowl-eyn

[@realisezmoi]

really? come with us into the 21st century! it's not a documentary! it's a dramatization, with actors, and we already have so many of those with so many different portrayals. if anne absolutely must be depicted as a white woman there is plenty of content out there, and probably tons more in all the years to come. not to mention: black women can love anne & want to portray her too.

[@MrReded69]

@@realisezmoi Then I guess you won't be offended when Leonardo Dicaprio decides to play Malcolm X! Or you get some new version of Birth of a Nation that claims the KKK were heroes! Look, I don't care if they make shows like Bridgerton or Troy: Fall of a city but let's not pretend its history. If you want to have stories modelled on historical events and tropes, you should do the George R. R. Martin thing and make fantasies based on them, a la Game of Thrones. Hell, do the whole Baz Luhrman/Kenneth Brannagh thing and set the story in modern or modernistic times. That Reign show would have been better for it. That way when you go crazy with the story you won't have people who care about accurate portrayal of history pissed off! And if you don't think accurate history is important in the 21st century, look at how the MAGA and Q freaks are constantly re-writing history now!

[@realisezmoi]

@@MrReded69 look i don't wanna fight, but you have to know that blackface has a long & racist history & that leonardo playing mlk is absolutely not 1:1 with a black woman playing anne boleyn. i mean... lol. also have you seen birth of a nation? or googled it even? maybe i misread you because it's full of white actors in blackface demonizing black people & the kkk comes in to save the day. it's literally kkk propaganda. and omg, no one is pretending bridgerton is history, that's kind of the whole point?? if you want rigid depictions of historical events, fine, but that leaves so much out. many people, historians included, love a little departure from reality because history is also about imagination & storytelling, and we continue to bring it with us as we progress and the world changes.

[@aizac91]

@@realisezmoi as a colour Muslim person myself, I do wonder why suddenly when is your turn, you're immune to this? So what you're saying is Anne boleyn isn't as important or worthy as MLK? Hence you can race-swapped her, but MLK has to stay the truth; I got pissed when they race-swapped Troy for LeBron in that series. Sounds to me that's very privileged, you're able to race-swapped a historical European figure for an African actress to portray her, but MLK no no no. As you say, historians like to imagine a "fantasy" event of the past then why not MLK be Sino or European or something other than his actual race. You're worried about black face, something that's done in the past, because of that you're dragging that event into the future. I'm terrified that future series that's produce in England might feature the late Princess Diana by an African actress.

[@carolebach826]

thank you for your site!! I sit in my car on my lunchbreak and listen, search for old content I have not watched b4. Love love love your way of explaining that allows my mind to fill in the visuals! This episode particularly.

[@adhst]

I just found your channel and I’m loving it!!! I’ve been obsessed with Henry, Anne and the Tudor period for ages! You have such great insight. And I always picture Natalie Dormer as well, not a perfect physical match based on historical record, but she had such a commanding presence that I feel it’s a great tv representation of the force Anne might’ve been.

[@marydickerson4930]

I too think of Genevieve B when I think of Anne. She was the first representation of Anne I’ve seen on the screen and still fits the description best. Some of the other actresses have exuded her character well but not so much the physical. Also GB is French so having that blend of French/British accent was perfect!

[@jinhan5129]

Mary Dickerson Genevieve Bujold is a French Canadian actress.

[@marydickerson4930]

Linda Roy yes she is. So having to adopt a British accent for the movie would blend with her natural French accent possibly gives us a fair idea of what Anne may have sounded like. At least that’s how I think of it.

[@ReinaIsAQueen]

Portrait wise, the National Portrait Gallery one is my favorite. I feel like it has the more enigmatic eyes. As for actresses, I’ve always pictured her similar to Kate Beckinsale but with a stronger nose. It’s a bit difficult since Tudor standards of beauty aren’t really like today’s. I loved Genevieve Bujold’s performance as Anne though, it really is remarkable. Loved this video!

[@Wentrashane]

By the way, the extent of your research is quite impressive. I've recently discovered your videos and am enjoying them immensely.

[@repentobeyjesus9187]

Same here. I love them.

[@phoenixalbastru3706]

Anne Hathaway! That is the image I have in my head when I think in Anne Boleyn

[@evinxjames_]

That’s what I was thinking! With the descriptions of a wide mouth, dark eyes, and dark hair, Anne Hathaway would fit the bill. Her skin is fairly light, not ‘swarthy’, but close enough. She’s played a Brit many times so she could pull that off if she was ever cast in the role.

[@leonieromanes7265]

The same black eyes and thick dark hair.

[@33479Leigh]

Maybe I missed something but when they exhumed Anne’s body wouldn’t they describe her head not attached to her shoulders ?

[@dontcallmegerbs]

I was wondering this too! Surely that would have been worthy of mention with all the talk of her small neck bones...

[@kevyndang5640]

I don't know for sure, but I believe I read something that said when they exhumed Anne, they found her head between her ankles, which is what contemporary sources say that her ladies put her head between her ankles. Prior to her murder, they didn't think to provide a coffin for Anne, so after she was killed, her ladies had to rummage the tower to find a chest. The chest they found was quite small, which was probably why they had to put her head between her ankles. Some also claim that they had to sever her limbs in order to put her in the chest. Again, not 100% sure, it's just what I heard, which may or may not be true.

[@33479Leigh]

Kevyn Dang wow , interesting ty

[@barbaracook4764]

😆 somebody missed that part.

[@daughterofpatriots3165]

Ok 👌 I am officially addicted, love the cooking series as well‼️ 😊 thank you both.

[@anneboleynfiles]

Thank you! I'm thrilled that you're enjoying them.

[@2boysmom943]

Hi Claire. Aside from breezing over the Tutor period in school I knew almost nothing about the time period. I stumbled across your video and now I am absolutely in LOVE with Tutor History. In fact I just received your On this Day In Tutor History in the mail yesterday and I am loving it! You have a new Tutor convert all the way over in North Carolina. I just wanted to say thank you for broadening my horizons and reminding me of my love for history. I am so thankful for all the hard work you put in to these videos and that I came across your channel. -Leigh

[@julienewkirk930]

You are everything!! Thanks for the video

[@dalestaley5637]

Interesting how women are frequently assigned witch like features as warts and dark eyes. I imagine her eyes were expressive. She grew up in France, a country much more outwardly vivacious. I imagine Queen Anne as somewhere between a Natalie Porter shaped face, coloring and Genevieve Bougouisse. A question: why are women who marry royalty maintain their family names rather than assume their husband's? Thank you Claire, another lovely journey into these fascinating people.

[@Slinkynuts]

The Kitty Kameo returns-Thank You. I laughed when you mentioned the description sounding like Nanny McPhee. In the Six Wives of Henry the VIII(movie)1971 Charlotte Rampling wore a ribbon around her neck when playing Anne. Thank you for this well researched account. Lets hear it for the auburn ladies!!

[@RobertoLorenzPianist]

Great as always! I could listen to you talking about Anne for hours (I actually do).

[@lindapayne1595]

Thoroughly enjoyed this talk, thank you. presently completeing a course on the Tudors.

[@maryh4650]

Merle Oberon from the Charles Laughton film is my idea of Anne Boleyn.

[@danaglabeman6919]

When I picture Anne, I picture Winona Ryder. Small, slender, a girlish figure. Her hair is chestnut, her oval face and high sharp cheekbones, and her nose even has a rounded tip like Anne's on the medal. And those eyes! Not many women have as luminous, expressive dark eyes as Winona Ryder. About Anne's hair; I had always thought it would HAVE to be chestnut, reddish tinted brown, because we know from Elizabeth's 13 yr. old portrait that her hair was bright copper, and bright redheads usually inherit a red gene from both their parents. A red gene would have given a tint to Anne's hair. The thing I think people forget too, is that today, our definition of beauty is all about the facial structure and the body, whereas 16th century was all about the coloring. A woman with terrible features we would consider ugly today would have been thought beautiful if she were blond, pale and blue eyed. But sexual magnetism between 2 people is often not about looks. Imagine a dark haired, dark eyed girl with excellent bone structure (the parts of Elizabeth's face that are obviously not Henry's bear witness to that). Imagine her alive and laughing, smiling a brilliant Julia Roberts style smile with that "wide mouth"...witty, educated banter, throwing around French phrases here and there, tossing those incredible eyes at a man and holding him just long enough...it's easy to imagine Henry falling not so much for a pretty face as the feeling she gave him.

[@sharonriley1616]

Dana Glabeman 'h KIng Henry had red hair, that would account for Princess Elizabeth's red hair.

[@danaglabeman6919]

@@sharonriley1616 It is possible, it can happen, but it is very rare to get true red hair that bright, as opposed to a tint like strawberry or chestnut, without BOTH parents giving you a copy of the gene. One from Henry, a redhead, and one from Anne. Therefore it is not a genetic certainty, but highly likely, that Anne had one copy, which would have given a coppery tint to her otherwise dark hair.

[@frightbat208]

Sharon Riley yes redheads occur when both parents carry the gene.

[@throwfishatbear]

@@danaglabeman6919 Both parents need to give you the red hair genetic, however I believe Anne could've been a carrier without having any red - as, if both HER parents didn't have it, then she'd simply have the gene but not the red hair. She'd be carrying a recessive red allele, but her brown would be dominant. Henry, a redhead, has two reds. So Anne passes on the recessive red and Elizabeth has two reds, one from each parent, and is a redhead.

[@pianoman9685]

Thank you so happy that we discovered your channel

[@aimee2234]

Interesting. Thank you again, Claire!

[@robinpinkham9398]

Yea! Made my day!! Love this daily series! Nanny McPhee that is really funny, but you are so right. Apt description!

[@mbsbrown7838]

Nanny McPhee is what many descriptions of her are like, however, I view her as a young Katharine Hepburn.

[@bazoutofhell8293]

Shame channel 5 have gone totally bonkers and made her Black

[@omfug7148]

I always think of the Hever Castle portrait, clearly it was her lively intelligence that added to the beauty of her eyes, and although Elizabeth 1 got Henry's coloring, surely the oval shape of her face and the dark eyes (even if they were dark blue) that appear in all portraits of her were also her mothers. Are there any other portraits of affiliated family out there?

[@joybrautigam9529]

They were black, like Elizabeth's eyes.

[@ElizabethF2222]

Thank you, Claire, for your uploads! Always look forward to the Anne Boleyn Files and Tudor Society notifications. It doesn't make sense that Henry would go through all he went through and did all that he did for a Nanny McPhee lookalike.

[@miraclenichols7591]

How Kool!! Bells ringing! Such interesting information!! Thank you for all your work!!

[@AITrademarket]

I really like your videos, and I think I’m also getting fond of your cat .. as I now find myself looking out for it sometimes 😂 With respect to your suggestion, given that standards of beauty change with each generation, I would offer what I would consider a modern equivalent of Anne’s physical description by her contemporaries especially that of the eyes which seemed to impress a lot of people of the time. My nomination would be the French actress Eva Green who also has an oval face and dark eyes which convey emotion and a Gallic demeanour..along the lines of your offering of Genevieve Bujold.

[@justthecoolestdudeyo9446]

I’ve thought this too! Eva Green definitely seems to resemble Anne’s descriptions except for being kind of pale

[@AITrademarket]

Just the Coolest Dude Yo ..Maybe one day there will be a way of finding out for sure. I work in the artificial intelligence industry and technology is being developed to try to do this

[@justthecoolestdudeyo9446]

@@AITrademarket I hope so! One day...

[@klassicalmuzik]

I always pictured Anne Boleyn to look like a cross between Olivia Hussey and Charlotte Rampling, but with the dark eyes of course.

[@witchywoman2008]

I can’t believe I’ve only just discovered this channel! Anne Boleyn is by far my favourite historical figure and I am very drawn to her as a person. I’ve often wondered what she may have looked like. This is very interesting.

[@wcingnatalia456]

Loving this series. I always listen to it when Im working out.

[@mariahunter9882]

Thanks for this video! My own image of Anne is a very slender, elegant ballerina- type with arresting, not conventionally beautiful feature but with enormous talent and intelligence and the ability to make people laugh. I imagine she must have been a great one with the one line comebacks. Elegance and confidence really do look a lot like beauty when you're dealing with someone in person rather than looking at a picture. No matter if we find a portrait that is really her, it's awfully hard to paint charm and that is what I think at least some of her beauty may have been. My picture of her is of someone dancing, managing a horse and carrying herself exceptionally well too. She had the French Je ne sai quois. Magic.

[@almontepaolilli4909]

I guess that each of us has a different picture of Anne Boleyn in our minds. She must have had some allure that captured the King’s heart. In my own view, ladies are most attractive if they have intellect, knowledge and a loving and kind personality. Just outright beauty can hide a dark soul. She must have had a slender neck and frame for the period.

[@elizabethmcleod246]

Anne was confident....men like that.

[@walruslatte6080]

I was glad to find out I'd have been of "middling height" in the Tudor era rather than just short in this one.

[@bsg5540]

I just wanted to say that I love your sweater. 💜 it's about 100°F here right now, but that sweater still looks comforting and cozy. Cant wait for fall!

[@drjulia6860]

Great video, as always.

[@buddasquirrel]

The original video is how I found you in 2011!!! We think bad publicity is horrible now....these lies are still clinging to her after all these centuries. Makes me wonder who else was cruelly maligned by this King.

[@theresecatalano4017]

I always pictured Anne with dark hair & eyes which was the opposite of the fair hair English Rose that was considered the standard of beauty. I imagined that she was witty & intelligent. Could hold her own in any conversation. Unfortunately since she didn’t hold up her end of the bargain after Henry turned England upside down for her (have a son) Henry’s obsession of lust turned to hate & talk about smear campaign & fake news!!!

[@phyllisruthmick5391]

You say " Henry's obsession of lust " but a man, and not just any man but a king, simply does not go to the lengths that the king went to for lust, for love yes but not for lust! I'm not saying that there wasn't an element of lust because I'm absolutely sure that there was, but you trivialize the whole situation with your comment and I think that's wrong of you! As far as Queen Anne " not holding up her end of the bargain " again you have trivialized and simplified a very complicated and tragic situation! Queen Anne no doubt tried her best and in fact had a miscarriage, had a healthy and strong baby girl, and was in probably the beginnings of her second trimester of pregnancy with a son/boy when she lost that child, unfortunately most likely due to high levels of stress both mental and emotional which manifested itself physically. I'm quite sure that had Queen Anne not allowed certain things to upset her more than they should have, had she handled those things more quietly and acceptingly, then her husband the king would not have distanced himself from her and her bed physically and the Queen would have went on to bear her husband the son and heir that he so desperately wanted and needed. And when you say " smear campaign and fake news " well that makes zero sense Ma'am, absolutely none whatsoever!!! SMH!!!!!

[@OoxB505]

‘Didn’t hold up her end of the bargain’ like she could control the gender of her child, lol

[@danieledugre1837]

Love the church bells and cats !! Informative site....thank you Claire.

[@melissalove2463]

I just love your video’s Claire! 💕👍🏻💕

[@Fucoc]

Anne's medal looks like the common portrait of Jane Seymour? I think, that if you look, everybody's portrait from the Tudor-period is shown to have these high cheekbones, an very small upper lips compared to the lover lip. I think that must have been the fashion, since "everybody" has it.

[@tracybaldwin1564]

When I think of an actress that is what I base my mental picture of Anne Boleyn on, it would def be a young Olivia Hussey. Or Claire Foy with brown eyes. I did see Claire’s portrayal of Anne in Wolf Hall, which was good, but I did not like the portrayal of Anne in that series. But that’s not why she speaks to me as Anne. It’s more based upon her actual personality in interviews which is humble and funny and lovely. Much like I picture Anne to be. And Olivia has the old school regality and darker looks that make her a compelling study for Anne’s looks.

[@Slinkynuts]

interesting I never imagined Olivia Hussey to portray Anne, maybe because she was so young in Romeo and Juliet but I don't see the assertiveness or intellect that Anne had but Olivia is one of the most beautiful women around.

[@tracybaldwin1564]

Caren H. Canuck you have to watch her in 1974s Black Christmas. She def has Anne’s spunk and wit in that. It’s a horror movie though, so be aware of that. She’s the main character.

[@Slinkynuts]

I saw it a long time ago when it came out. I guess you have a point. that was a Canadian made film with Margot Kidder right?

[@tracybaldwin1564]

Caren H. Canuck yes it was. I adore that film. It’s historically the forerunner to all the “women in peril from masked killer” movies that came after. And it’s by the same director of A Christmas Story which is my favorite movie to rewatch on Christmas.

[@whaleymom76]

Young Olivia Hussey would be perfect!! Great call

[@bridgetbarba4170]

Thank you for your amazing research, greatly appreciated

[@CJG1419]

I also think of Genevieve Bujold. She was fantastic. The rose portrait is just beautiful.

[@susanstebbins1211]

Absolutely Genevieve Bujold! My favorite depiction of her and of the relationship she had with Henry.

[@paulineanne2369]

I also think of Genevieve Bujold from Anne of Thousand Day and her eyes to be her most striking feature.

[@Calla-sl8gd]

Hi Claire! I loved your comment about picturing Genevieve Bujold as Anne Boleyn, because that is my picture of Anne. Anne of the Thousand Days was my first Tudor movie back in 1969, and I've never waivered in how I feel Anne looked. I have loved reading and hearing about the Tudor period in English history because of that movie. My dream vacation is in the works and you can guess where I'll be going! Thank you much for your videos and research and dedication, etc.!

[@999Lumen]

I think Dorothy Tutin expressed what she might have looked like - I loved her portrayal the most.

[@mattreen4996]

On the internet I searched for Anne Boleyn wax doll and I feel that’s how Anne Boleyn looked like. For people that are intrested you can search for ”Anne Boleyn wax doll Emily Pooley” and you should see the picture

[@bettyflipkowski235]

Matildaabroad ssswsssss2wss2swsßßs

[@kiera6326]

I would say that she probably looked something like a mixture of Genevive Bujold and Natalie Dormer. Genevive was too young and innocent looking on her own, but Natalie captured her prominent features and the strikingness of her eyes, despite them being an icy blue, instead of black. I think that Natalie Portman came closer to her in terms of looks with only a few modifications...

[@laurenabcd1008]

Natalie Portman guys........she matches anne perfectly love nat dormers,claire foy ,but nat dormer encompassed Anne the best other than her eyes are blue .........

[@michaelwright4302]

I also picture Genevieve Bujold but that was how I was introduced to Anne. The more I read and hear descriptions of her it just reenforces how well cast she was. (in my opinion)

[@meganjaeger3798]

Do you have a podcast yet? I’d love to listen to all of these videos while I’m doing the laundry. Would make my day!! Love your videos

[@linphillips8331]

In my mind's eye, I always envision the portrait of Anne in Hever Castle.

[@cjb6152]

same here, the hever castle portrait with anne holding a red rose always comes up in my mind when i hear "anne boleyn"

[@mindyp51a]

Despite her blue eyes, I think Natalie Dormer captured the essence of Anne. Considering the standard was blonde, blue-eyed, pale skin with a rosy blush, and a "rosebud" mouth, it's not surprising that Anne was not considered a beauty--and of course her evangelical views and her usurping of Katherine would naturally cause those loyal to the "Spanish Princess" and to Rome to berate and "disfigure" her. Trying to think of today's other actresses who would be a good comparison to Anne....and of course right now I'm drawing blanks! :-)

[@mindyp51a]

Anne Hathaway?

[@AshleyLebedev]

Couldn’t agree more! Natalie captured quite a gorgeous “essence” of Anne. Natalie did an interview and was convinced that Anne was looking on as they re enacted the beheading scene. She was very shaken and moved as she told that story. Worth finding x

[@mcbrineart]

@@mindyp51a Yes, we need someone with more of an aquiline nose and Anne Hathaway fits that description better than many actresses with smaller, retrousse noses - Rebecca Hall was mentioned by someone above. Benedict Cumberbatch's wife (Sophie Hunter) played Anne in a TV production and I thought she was a pretty good choice visually as well.

[@trojanette8345]

Your comments about the typical 'standards of beauty' of the day makes perfect sense. Also, to put it in more pinpoint accurate perspective she might have been one of but a few 'rare dark beauties' that was not common to the area. This fact / notion coupled with the fact her possible swarthy features lent itself to negative discusions that she was someone to be feared, loathed, and at best not to be trusted.

[@valkyriesardo278]

I'm told the Elizabethan standard was blonde with brown eyes. Hard to say if that extended back into Henry's day.

[@foggy6028]

Thank you so much for your detailed and very insightful video! I just want to add my idea for Anne’s looks . I think of Olivia Hussey in Zefirelli’s “ Romeo and Juliet of 1968. Just the pics with her eyes looking quite dark , her natural eye color is quite blueish .

[@RogieVixen]

My fave (first portrayal I saw of her which was when I fell in love with her when I was 10) was Geneviève's performance in AOTTD and my fave portrait is the NPG which is the first portrait I saw of her (and have as my home screen), and even though it might not be like her at all, it will always be the one I think of as Anne first. I do also love the Hever rose portrait. It makes sense that Anne would have olive skin and maybe red/golden tints to her dark hair as she was such an avid rider and always outside to catch the sun. We may never agree on what she looks like exactly, as obviously we'll likely never know, but a couple of things we can agree on is she had dark, expressive eyes and at least brown hair.

[@anna-ob7by]

I tend to think of Natalie Dormer, as The Tudors was the first representation of her I ever saw. However, I feel as though Genevive Bujold holds a better likeness, though in my head, Anne has a larger nose.

[@littlemama3957]

My eldest daughter looks like Natalie Dormer

[@archielamarr2950]

Anne Boleyn was my relative and ancestor because on my mother's side of the family the family name is Bolin and we traced it back to Anne Boleyn it could have been her sister I don't know but in some way I do know that Anne Boleyn was my relative

[@sweetlikechocolate437]

Yeah right!

[@rickjensen2717]

Very interesting talk. What's clear is that we have absolutely no idea what Anne Boleyn looked like, although the damaged medal may have been an official likeness.

[@clareashley1297]

😬My mother was born in Kent, and her maiden name was Heaver. Anne was raised at Hever castle. She also had a distortion on her left hand, so her little finger protruded from the side of her hand,rather than in line with the other fingers. I have always wondered if there is some connection.

[@barbarabastron6152]

When you began speaking I thought of “Anne of the Thousand Days.” I think Genevieve Bujold was perfect casting because she had such an intriguing face.

[@RavennaZane]

I've always found Anne, and of course Elizabeth I, so fascinating, and appreciated that Anne’s daughter was the one that arguably had the most successful reign of Henry’s children. It sort of feels like Anne had the last laugh there, even though she was executed (if that makes any sense). As far as appearance, I don't think it's possible for me to mentally picture anyone else other than Natalie Dormer, but not because of her eye color, more her dark hair and shape of her eyes, plus the way the actress carried herself in the role, I suppose. I think that’s pretty cool that she might’ve been around my height though (5’2 ½”) because I hadn’t considered height.

[@joannebohan2243]

Kimberly A. Jones totally agree about Elizabeth what a powerhouse product of their relationship !!! Last laugh indeed 😂 what was all that executing and whining about 🙄

[@el5406]

Joanne Bohan because she never got to see what her daughter accomplished. For all she knew, her daughter became a illegitimate and Jane was going to become Henry's new Queen. Anne Boleyn was even so sad that she couldn't wait to get executed because that would end her suffering.

[@cathybarnard9687]

I am a first time watcher and really became interested when you mentioned Thomas Wyatt (Wiat) the elder. I am kin to him, done research and believe it was his son, Thomas Wyatt the Younger who was linked to Anne Boleyn. The Elder was the favorite bard of King Henry VIII and father of the sonnet in England. The Younger was put in the Tower before a horrible death for suspected crimes against the King of adultery with Anne. You also mentioned a lady that Anne was close to, that would be the sister of Sir Thomas Wyatt. Queen Anne gave her a prayer book before she was beheaded. The Wyatt castle, Allington was not far from the Boleyn estate and the children, Anne & Thomas played together. I have subscribed to your channel & look forward to more information.

[@hammycats6919]

Yippee, thank you Claire. 😍😍👍