Henry VIII’s “Stolen Mistress” Scandal: Adultery, Gossip… or Something Darker?

In 1537, Cromwell had to investigate a sordid rumour about William Webbe's "pretty wench" and Henry VIII. It claimed the king had not only been unfaithful to his new queen, Jane Seymour, but had stolen another man’s mistress and kept her for himself. The story spread so widely it ended up in Alison Weir’s modern-day "Henry VIII: King and Court" and even inspired a scene in Showtime's "The Tudors" series. But what really happened? In this podcast, I investigate the 16th century sources to find out what really went on. Was this tale evidence of adultery, malicious gossip, or something darker? And what does it reveal about Henry VIII’s reputation in the shadow of Anne Boleyn’s downfall and his hasty marriage to Jane Seymour? Listen to discover: - The original 1537 letter that spread the rumour. - How Cromwell’s investigation handled it and his conclusion. - Why The Tudors dramatised the story and changed the timeline. - Whether Henry’s reputation was already beginning to unravel. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy deep dives into Tudor scandal, rumour, and history, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and consider joining my channel membership for exclusive talks, resources, and my monthly magazine The Privy Chronicle. #HenryVIII #TudorHistory #AnneBoleyn #JaneSeymour #TheTudors #History