Mavericks & Legends: Anne Boleyn

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Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know -- but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Pioneers, Dreamers, Villainesses, STEMinists, Warriors & Social Justice Warriors, and many more. Encyclopedia Womannica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi. Before we get started with today's episode, I have
some very exciting news. If you still haven't gotten the
mother figure in your life a present for this Sunday
Mother's Day, you are in luck. We've extended the deadline
for our special Encyclopedia Wamanica Mother's Day gift to today Thursday,
May seventh. You can get a special Encyclopedia Wamanica episode

(00:23):
All about Mom. Go to Wondermedia Network dot com for
more information from Wondermedia Network. I'm Jenny Kaplin and this
is Encyclopedia Wamanica. Today we're talking about one of the
most controversial figures in English history. Her ascent to and
fall from power were extremely dramatic. She helped to bring

(00:45):
about England's split from the Catholic Church, became the Queen
of England, and had a daughter who would serve as
one of the most famous monarchs of all time. Her
opponents accused her of witchcraft and slandered her name, and
historians continue to be her real intentions. Let's talk about
the mysterious Anne Boleyn. Anne Boleyn was born around the

(01:08):
year fifteen hundred in Norfolk, England. Her father was a
respected royal attendant, and her mother was the daughter of
a powerful duke. Anne spent thirteen years at the French
court as a companion for Henry the Eighth sister Mary,
who was married to the French king. By fifteen twenty two,
Anne was back in England. She wore glamorous French clothing

(01:30):
and caught the attention of many suitors. She even caught
the eye of King Henry the Eighth himself. Anne may
have first come into contact with King Henry after acting
as the lead in a court play in fifteen twenty six.
At that time, Henry was still married to his first wife,
Catherine of Arragon. Though the pair had a daughter, they

(01:51):
had been unable to produce a male heir to the throne,
and Henry was getting desperate. The story goes that Henry
tried to make Anne his miss dress, but she refused
to sleep with him out of wedlock. That may have
served to increase Henry's infatuation, yet divorce wasn't an option,
as Henry was a devout Catholic. Henry attempted to get
his first marriage annulled, but the Pope refused his please.

(02:15):
Anne may have inspired the eventual solution. It was the
era of the Protestant Reformation, and Anne gave Henry a
copy of a book called Obedience of a Christian Man.
The book's Protestant author argued that kings were actually the
rightful head of the church, not the pope. This book
greatly influenced Henry, who ignored the pope's wishes and divorced

(02:37):
Catherine in fifteen thirty one. Anne Boleyn married King Henry
the Eighth in January of fifteen thirty three. The next year,
Henry broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and established
his own, the Church of England. This move caused conflict
in the country for the subsequent two centuries. After her marriage,

(02:59):
Anne helped gather and support a new royal court that
bolstered Henry's decision to found a new church. Not much
is known about Ann's time as queen, but she may
have helped transition monasteries into a new role as educational institutions.
She and Henry had a daughter, Elizabeth the First, but
they struggled to have more children. Henry was starting to

(03:19):
doubt the marriage he waited so long for. To make
matters worse, the separation of the church fueled foreign enemies
and incited domestic opposition. In fifteen thirty six, Anne was
charged with adultery and plotting against the king. She was
locked in the Tower of London. The king ignored all
of Anne's protests. She was declared guilty in a biased

(03:41):
trial and sentenced to death. She was executed by sword
in May of fifteen thirty six. Anne was Queen of
England for about three years. After Ann's death, her opponents
continued to slander her. Nearly all images of her were destroyed,
though depictions were created under her. Her daughter's eventual reign,

(04:02):
King Henry, went on to marry four more times. To
this day, scholars argue over how Anne should be remembered.
Was she a temptress who fractured the country or a
pious woman who helped found the Church of England, as
is the case for many of the women were talking
about this month. The truth is probably more complicated than

(04:23):
either of those stories. Anne Boleyn has inspired numerous fictional accounts,
and her story continues to fascinate people to this day.
All month, we're talking about Mavericks and legends. For more
on why we're doing what we're doing, check out our
newsletter Womanica Weekly. You can also follow us on Facebook
and Instagram at Encyclopedia Womanica, and you can follow me

(04:46):
directly on Twitter at Jenny M. Kaplan. Also special thanks
to all the womaniacs out there. If you want to
join our brand new membership program, go to Glow dot
FM slash woman annaka that's g l Ow dot f
M slash W O M A N N I C.

(05:06):
A special thanks to Louis Kaplan, my favorite sister and
co creator. Talk to you tomorrow