The {Tuth} About Thomas Boleyn

         Hollywood and most historical novelists would have us believe that Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne, was a ruthless, unloving man who cared only for the advancement of his career. He is portrayed in "The Other Boleyn Girl" and "The Tudors" as a man who felt no love towards his children, nor remorse when his scheming led to their downfall. Is this image accurate? Was he a man with no concern for his childrens' wellbeing? In this article we will explore the nature of Thomas Boleyn's rise to power and his interactions with his children to uncover who the "real" Boleyn patriarch was.
     Thomas Boleyn was born in 1477, probably at Hever Castle. He rose quickly in court politics serving in positions such as Controller of the Household, the King's Treasurer and Knight Bearer at Prince Henry's funeral. Thomas married well to Elizabeth Howard, sponsored the Christening of the Duke of Orleans and was knighted before the age of thirty. He was liked by the French royal family, whom he served as the English ambassador to and trusted by the both Wolsey and Henry VIII with sensitive diplomatic missions.
      He was desribed as "...timid..." and "...not of a war-like disposition" by his brother in law, the Duke of Norfolk. There is also evidence that Henry had to intervene with the Boleyns to provide a more comfortable life-style for Mary Boleyn following the death of her husband William Carey. It is safe to assume that this lack of financial support was a direct effect of Mary's scandalous affair with the King, which contrary to popular belief, made the Boleyns disliked by many at court. Not only did Thomas and his household distance themselves from Mary following her extra-marital relationship with Henry, but according to historian William Dean, Thomas also tried to dissuade Henry from his intended marriage to Anne.
      Popular culture paints a picture of Thomas Boleyn as cunning and cruel; an unrelenting self-promoter who cared nothing for his children or their futures. Thomas Boleyn was already a trusted and close advisor prior to the 1522 sexual relationship of Mary and King Henry, suggesting that his favor was due more to his own actions and qualifications than the preferment of his daughters. It is obvious that while there might have been some perks to having his daughters be high in the King's favor, it was also an expensive and precarious position to be in, one a timid man would not have enjoyed.
    Like many Tudor characters, we may never know the absolute truth about Thomas Boleyn and how was acted as a father, but that does not mean that we should let the novelists and screen-writers formulate our ideas about him. I encourage an open-mind and research as opposed to unfounded condemnation.

Portrait thought to be Thomas Boleyn. Circa 1525.
Lucas Hornebolte

     

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