May 18....a day of "...saydness for the little princess..."

On May 18, 1536 Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury declared Henry and Anne's marriage null and void based on the the Queen's degree of affinity to another woman with whom the King had been intimate, Anne's sister Mary Stafford. This declaration made Elizabeth a bastard and the King free to marry for a third time. He was already courting Jane Seymour and reportedly had a seamstress making her a wedding dress. This was also to be the day that Anne was executed, however, the swordsman from Calais was still delayed due to his horse becoming lame along the road. Anne was already administered suprememe unction and had made her last confession when she was informed that her execution was to be delayed for at least one day. We can only imaging the terror she must have felt at knowing her impending doom.

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