Plurrimi Laetissima: Anne and Public Perception

     As I watched a rerun of The Tudors episode depicting Anne's coronation parade through London, I was interested in how the screenwriters portrayed the event. Citizens stood at the sides of the road glaring and refusing to remove their hats as Anne's carriage passed. Some authors have gone as far as to say that people threw food and hurled curses at her during her procession. Is this true? Were the citizens of England disgusted by their new queen and her "usurpation" of the throne? In this post we will look at the primary source evidence of Anne's coronation day, her interactions with the public and whether or not she really was Plurrimi Laetissima (the most happy)
      It is a very common misconception that Anne was widely disliked. In fact Thomas Cranmer wrote that "...as she came along the City, were shewn many costly pageants from which children sang to her and tossed flowers..." Historian Joanna Denny says that "The banks of the Thames outside the palace were lined with crowds eagers to see their new queen..."

  Anne was especially loved amongst the people of London who had becoming increasingly inclined towards Evangelicalism following persecution at the hands of Thomas More. London was the hub of new religious learning and Anne patronized many of the men promoting Protestant doctrine. Many religious books were dedicated to her including a book by Erasmus whom called her "...the most gracious and virtuous..."While the people of London were saddened by the divorce of Henry and Catherine, who's piety was reknowned and admired, but they understood the need for a male heir. Primogeniture, or the inheritance of all property and titles by a first born son, was still the standard of that time period. There was much fear amongst the people of England that if Mary (Catherine's daughter) were to inherit that she would marry a foreign monarch who would rule and subject England to outside power.

     One group amongst whom Anne was unpopular were the nobility who remained Catholic and thus staunch supporters of Catherine and Mary. This hatred was grounded not only in her usurpation of the throne, but also the deep changes made to religious life in England. Anne was a figurehead for Evangelicals to rally around and she imposed her ideas on the women in her households, some of whom were opposed to them. These Catholics found allies in the long rebellious north of England and in the ambassadors of France and England. Conspiracy and hatred towards Anne simmered amongst these groups for many years and when she spoke those famous Latin words "Plurrimi Laetissima" she may not have enjoyed the complete happiness she had hoped to portray.
    
      Anne's generosity and the birth of her daughter Elizabeth were celebrated across London. The common people often spoke of the monies she donated to charitable causes (an enormous sum at 1,500 GBP/year) and how she wished to build educational institutions across England. Her popularity rose the longer she was reigned and by the time her execution was ordered, the gentry were appalled that Henry would dispose of another wife. These rumors of deep hate against Anne are merely that, rumors. She was liked and her appeal and the number of people who love her continues to grow as the truth about her is researched and exposed.

Anne Coronation Procession
Thomas Welter circa 1880

     
     

Read of the Week

Every once in a while I take a break from the believable historical  fiction writers and piles of biographies that cover my desk and read something outrageous and fun. This week that was The Secret History of Elizabeth Tudor, Vampire Slayer. The book is written as if it is a secret diary of Elizabeth coming into her own as a slayer following her coronation. It contains many of the actual players in Elizabeth's court including William Cecil and Robert Dudley; but puts a spin on the characters and their roles in her life. The plot of the book is very interesting, Elizabeth must choose between fighting a powerful vampire King and joining him as an undead queen who will rule England together. It is a fun, fast read but obviously take it for what it is a sci-fi book set in Tudor England that lacks grounded facts and often strays from period language structure and social norms.

"...and I have a little neck..."

I happened upon this letter while reading a book by Eric Ives. It is a letter from Sir W. Kingston, who was the Constable of the Tower at the time of Anne's death to Thomas Cromwell. It is dated May 19th, 1536 and it references Anne's state of mind as her execution approached.

This morning she sent for me, that I might be with her at such time as she received the good Lord, to the intent I should hear her speak as touching her innocency alway [sic] to be clear. And in the writing of this she sent for me, and at my coming she said, "Mr. Kingston, I hear I shall not die afore noon, and I am very sorry therefore, for I thought to be dead by this time and past my pain ". I told her it should be no pain, it was so little. And then she said, "I heard say the executioner was very good, and I have a little neck", and then put her hands about it, laughing heartily. I have seen many men and also women executed, and that they have been in great sorrow, and to my knowledge this lady has much joy in death. Sir, her almoner is continually with her, and had been since two o'clock after midnight.

What do you think followers? Did Anne have "...much joy in death..." or were her words and actions a manifestation of fear?

This Day in Tudor History

On this day in Tudor history in 1559 Lady Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk died. Lady Grey was the mother of nine day queen Jane Grey and the daughter of Mary Tudor and Charles Brandon. The duchess is not a character I am extrememly familiar with but I greatly enjoyed reading this post on her at the Anne Boleyn Files. It is interesting and references her life as a mother and courtier! Check it out today!

Lady Frances Grey (Nee Brandon)
Circa 1552
Artist Unknown

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