Confessions of a "Super Fan"?

Hey followers!
I recently recieved an email from a great new site I'm following entitled The Boleyn Project. Several master's degree students are making video interviews of scholars, researchers and fans of Anne Boleyn to glean vast opinions on her. In her interview, historian Alison Weir (author of The Lady in the Tower and many other Tudor history books) stated that "virtual fan clubs on the internet" are "obsessive" and "have gone too far from objective research", and that an emotional engagement with an historical character "can distort your view" (See the video above for the full interview)
I think Weir's views are somewhat distorted; as a historian and super fan of Anne I am definitely emotionally engaged in her life. This engagement constitutes more than superficial interest, it makes me want to read more, the research deeper and to question everything I see or hear about her. Despite my admiration of her, I still recognize Anne's inherent faults, which are entirely human. What do you think? Can super fans be objective?

George Boleyn and Questions of Sexuality

I have once again received a query regarding my post. Emilie asked about the nature of Jane and George Boleyn's marriage, saying from her readings she assumed that they had a strained relationship due to George's homosexuality. I have decided to weigh in on what I think regarding these rumors:

The idea that George Boleyn was a homosexual comes from respected Tudor historian Retha Warnicke. Her theory has led many people to believe in the unhappy union between George and Jane and shaped the Hollywood portrayal of George in TV series and movies such as The Tudors.  Retha M. Warnicke based her thesis on three pieces of evidence:

1)  George Cavendish’s ‘Metrical Visions’: In his writings, Cavendish described George Boleyn’s ‘unlawful lechery’ that suggests that young Boleyn committed a grave sin; but was homosexuality one of them? The answer is no. While it is highly possible that George Boleyn was unfaithful to his wife (quite common for this time period) and that he had many extramarital affairs, but there is no mention of him being a homosexual in this primary source writing. In the 16th century every sin, no matter the size or scope, was considered as a great offense against God, be it theft, sodomy or envy. It is safe to assume that as a human George Boleyn committed some sins (adultery is a possibility) but there is no specific mention of homosexual behavior. What makes for very interesting reading is Cavendish’s description of George Boleyn as a womanizer (A fact Retha fails to take into account):

“I forced widows, maidens I did deflower. All was one to me, I spared none at all, My appetite was all women to devour, My study was both day and hour.”

2)   George Boleyn’s last words: Warnicke argues that in his last words, George confessed that he was a sodomite. Yet, I would argue that George’s last speech differed very little from any other scaffold speech of the time; he simply admitted that he was a sinner, like all people, and that he deserved to die, a common phrase during the era. Perhaps he meant that he did not lead a chaste life, but it is a stretch to say that his words make any remark about his sexual orientation. (For a full text version of George's last words, please see my post on the Execution of George Boleyn and Anne's Other "Lovers" available here)

3)   Retha M. Warnicke states that George Boleyn had an affair with Mark Smeaton, Anne's favored court musician because at some point in time they both had access to the same book. This, again I believe is a very weak point to base an argument on. George Boleyn was known as a man of reform ideals and he often was in possession of books deemed heretical by Church leaders. Mark and George both having access to the same book could merely suggest that Mark, much like the Boleyns, was interested in new learning and perhaps George lent him the work.

In all of my research about the Boleyns, I have never come across anything that would lead me to assert that George was a homosexual. I believe he was powerful and rich and that he used these assets to his best advantage, be it through the obtaining of banned books or vast sexual liaisons. Rumors regarding his sexuality are very recent and unfounded. George serves as another example of a reputation ruined by historical sensationalism and the modern portrayal of him does not serve his memory justice. Thank you for all the great inquiries lately!

An Inquiry into Jane Boleyn, Viscountess Rochford

I have been asked by a regular site contributor to speculate on why Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford, was spared during the investigations and subsequent executions of several Boleyn family members. First of all, I want to clarify that these are merely my conclusions and cannot be taken as fact.

So to begin, if you have read my post on the religious nature of Anne's fall you will notice that Anne and Cromwell had had a falling out over the use of monastic funds. Anne wanted to see the money used for charitable purposes while Cromwell was using it to fill the King's coffers and enrich himself. Anne's family, whose ancestral seat was in Norfolk, were known for their reformation ideals especially her brother who has been cast by some historians as a reformist book smuggler. In fact, it is recorded that George was the one who first put the heretical book The Obedience of a Christian Man into Anne's hands. The book had a significant impact on Henry's religious thought. Not only was George influential in religious ways, he was also a close advisor of the King and a member of the Privy Council. The same can be said of Anne's father Thomas Boleyn. I would speculate that Cromwell had a large part in the set-up and carrying out of the trials of Anne and George. Furthermore, I would argue that Cromwell sought to do away with them because of the drastic influence they had over the King, religiously and when it came to international/domestic affairs,  which undermined his own power and authority. Thomas, who was also imprisoned, was not executed but so shamed by the incidents that he never returned to court. His influence over Henry was ended as swiftly as if he had died. Jane, in direct contrast to members of her family, did not share the same influence over the King. She was merely a lady in waiting. Cromwell, I believe, would not have seen fit to implicate her because it served no purpose for him. Several site has claimed there is evidence that Jane gave testimony against Anne and George which is why she was spared. Again, as I have stated, there is no evidence to support this claim. Trial records do not indicate that she was ever involved. Some sites also claim that she gave a scaffold confession of her involvement in their downfall, this is again untrue. Below is the text of her last words:

“ [I]committed many sins against God from my youth upwards and have offended the king’s royal Majesty very dangerously, so my punishment is just and deserved. I am justly condemned by the laws of this realm and by Parliament. All of you who watch me die should learn from my example and change your own lives. You must gladly obey the king in all things, for he us a just and godly prince. I pray for his preservation and beseech you all to do the same. I now entrust my soul to God and pray for his mercy.”

The sins against the King's majesty of course refer to her being an accomplice to Katherine Howard's affair with Thomas Culpepper. As you can clearly see, she never mentions George or Anne. Jane Boleyn is a polarizing and controversial character in the Tudor era. The myths about her person have blackened her historical reputation and made her an easy target for misplaced hate. It is our job as lovers of history to dig and find the truth regarding events and people as well as to never accept legend or myth as fact. For more information on Jane Boleyn, Viscountess Rochford please read a great book entitled The Infamous Lady Rochford by Julia Fox. I hope this post has been informative and answered many of your questions!
Cheers,
Tanya

Book Review

Hey all, for this blog I generally recommend one book per week. However I am currently reading a biography of Mary I entitled The Myth of Bloody Mary by Linda Porter which I believe needs a review on my page.  I purchased the book recently to expand my knowledge of Mary and her attempted reversal of Henrician and Edwardian religious reforms. The book reads exceptionally well, more like a novel than a biography. However, I myself have many difficulties with considering this book as a biography. As historians, professional or amatuer, we assume that a biography is complete fact, with as little personal bias or insight at possible. This book takes great liberties with the information it presents. First of all the author claims that Anne Boleyn was "...the author of all of Mary's misfortunes..." While Anne undoubtedly made Mary's life more difficult is is ridiculous and historically inaccurate to claim that Anne was to blame for all of Mary's problems. While Anne significantly influenced Henry's religious thought, the Six Articles that he required all subjects to sign and adhere to had been largely written and perfected by Cromwell and Henry himself. Most of the tension and trouble between the King and his daughter came at her refusal to sign the documents which named Henry the supreme head of religious affairs in England. Henry, at this stage in his life, had usurped almost all power in England including religious and political. He was used to his subjects adhering to his absolute authority and Mary's disobedience enraged Henry. He saw Mary's denial of his ecclesiastical rights as an extension of her mother's stubborn nature. She further enraged him when she wrote to him angry at his messengers and secretaries refusal to address her as princess, when he had made it abundantly clear that she was no longer to be addressed in such a manner.
The author also makes the claim that verbal testimony was offered by Jane Boleyn, the Lady Rochford that incriminated Anne and her brother for their crimes of incest and adultery. This claim, though widespread in historical fiction, has no primary source support. There is no evidence that George and his wife had any marital problems, save for the lack of children which could be explained through many outlets. There is also no indication that Anne and Jane disliked each other. We can only speculate as to the reasons she did not come under the same scrutiny as the rest of the Boleyn faction during Anne's fall.
This book, while historically questionable, is still a fun read and I would recommend it, just be wary of citing any information from it.

Read of the Week

So this past month I have read many great books, but my favorite is definitely:

The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr By Sandra Byrd
This is a fantastic book told from the perspective of Juliana St. John, lady in waiting to Queen Kateryn who was the last of Henry's wives.It speculates on what happened to Kateryn's daughter Mary Seymour who disappeared following her mother's death. I definitely recommend it!