The Trial of Anne Boleyn

On May 15, 1536 Anne Boleyn was tried in the King's Hall of the Tower of London in front of approximately 2,000 spectators. A special elevated platform has been built in the hall so that nobles and commoners alike could attend the trial of Queen Anne. She was tried by a jury of peers rather than the Commision of Oyer and Terminer who had judged and convicted her accused lovers. Everyone in attendance and the King himself was convinced she would be found guilty. He said as much in a letter to Jane Seymour stating he would ..."send her news at 3 o'clock of the conviction of the putain..." In addition to the King's pressure to convict Anne, the jury was made up of many of her enemies including Charles Brandon (friend and brother in law to the King) her uncle the Duke of Norfolk, who knew that if he did not vote to convict his own life would be in danger, Ralph Neville friend to the Seymour family and the Earl of Surrey, cousin to Anne but who had often spoke against her religious policies.

Anne defended herself with grace and dignity; Charles Wriothesley wrote of her performations saying she "...made so wise and discreet aunsweres to all thinges layde against her, excusing herselfe with her wordes so clearlie, as thoughe she has never been faultie to the same..." Anne denied all the charges against her, except for the patronage of Sir Francis Weston. It was after all customary for the reigning queen to patronize promising artists. Despite her magnificent defense, the jury found her guilty. They stripped Anne of her titles, wealth and crown. It was recorded that the Duke of Norfolk had tears on his face as he read the verdict and sentence saying:

 "Because though has offended against our sovereign the King's Grace in committing treason against his person, and here attainted of the same, the law of the realm is this, that thou hast deserved death, and they judgement is tis: that thou shalt be burned here within the Tower of London on the Green, else to have they head smitten off, as the King's pleasure shall be further known of the same..."

Lancelot de Carles recorded that Anne then spoke to the court saying:

"I do not say that I have been as humble towards the King as he deserved considering the humanity and kindness he showed me, and the great honour he has always paid me; I know that my fantasies have led me to be jealous...but God knows that I have never done him any other wrong"

Anne's quiet dignity and restraint during the trial garnered her much sympathy as word spread through London that the King sought to have his wife executed and marry another. In fact even the commoners, never overly fond of Anne, began to speak out questioning her guilt, the King's motives and besmirching his conduct of engaging in another relationship while his wife was awaiting trial. Despite the outpouring of support for Anne, the King and Cromwell moved determinedly forward towards her judicial execution.

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