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Anne Boleyn: A Life from Beginning to End
Discover the remarkable life of Anne Boleyn...
Anne Boleyn is most likely the best-known of Henry VIII’s six wives; she is also the most controversial. History has represented Anne as either a whore or a martyr. The true story, however, is far more complex.
Henry VIII of England pursued Anne Boleyn for seven years while he was battling for an annulment from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Catherine had failed to provide Henry with a male heir to the throne, so the king looked to Catherine’s maid of honor, Anne Boleyn, to secure his Tudor lineage. When Anne also failed to give birth to a son, her fate was sealed. She was charged with multiple counts of adultery during a trial everyone agreed was a sham. Found guilty, Anne Boleyn was beheaded immediately afterward and placed in an unmarked grave. Her death served to reveal the true horror dispensed to wives who displeased their royal husbands.
Discover a plethora of topics such as
Anne Boleyn is most likely the best-known of Henry VIII’s six wives; she is also the most controversial. History has represented Anne as either a whore or a martyr. The true story, however, is far more complex.
Henry VIII of England pursued Anne Boleyn for seven years while he was battling for an annulment from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Catherine had failed to provide Henry with a male heir to the throne, so the king looked to Catherine’s maid of honor, Anne Boleyn, to secure his Tudor lineage. When Anne also failed to give birth to a son, her fate was sealed. She was charged with multiple counts of adultery during a trial everyone agreed was a sham. Found guilty, Anne Boleyn was beheaded immediately afterward and placed in an unmarked grave. Her death served to reveal the true horror dispensed to wives who displeased their royal husbands.
Discover a plethora of topics such as
133 pages, Paperback
Published September 7, 2023
206 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
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Hourly History
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 29, 2025
Most already know her story. I would have liked the bio to go deeper into her personal motivations, but Henry had all her letters destroyed. She was Henry 8ths 2nd wife and most know the ending. I did not know she refused his advances for several years before becoming serious. Also, her older sister had an affair with him and two children he never claimed because she was married at the time. Her family was protestant and she was involved in the politics of the reformation. Her coronation was one of the most extravagant, even though she was disliked by the people and her death was not mourned. In some ways, she presents as a Kardashian type figure of the middle ages. She began courting Henry when he was still married to Katharine of Aragon, and the anullment was a huge mess. Then Anne Bolelyn was not happy when he started flirting with her new lady in waiting who would become his 3rd wife. She is the mother of Elizabeth who would later become the Virgin Queen. She suffered 3 miscarriages that were documented.
Henry the 8th's advisor did not like her (most did not) and really did not want her influencing political/religious matters so he likely fabricated a story of incest and infidelity. There was a trial, she spent a short time in the tower, and her beheading happened quickly. Elizabeth was 2 and a half years and no memory of her mom.
Henry the 8th's advisor did not like her (most did not) and really did not want her influencing political/religious matters so he likely fabricated a story of incest and infidelity. There was a trial, she spent a short time in the tower, and her beheading happened quickly. Elizabeth was 2 and a half years and no memory of her mom.
July 21, 2020
I normally like these books, but the inaccuracy in the first pages made me stop with this one. Anne Boleyn was not sent to the French court at six. She was part of Margaret of Austria's court for several years before going to France. Her time in Margaret's household is thought to have influenced her greatly.
January 4, 2021
A short biography that acts as a quick and easy introduction for someone who doesn't know the subject matter well and isn't interested in getting into the nitty-gritty of primary sources.
April 27, 2019
There was a lot of information in this book that was thoughtfully and fairly presented. One of the first points the book made is history is written by the victor, and Anne was definitely not the victor. Anne was executed with haste after a sham trial, no artwork of her remains, her love letters to Henry were destroyed, her daughter Elizabeth was declared illegitimate, her brother and four other men were executed - each supposedly because of his relationship with Anne. We can not rely on the history that was written about Anne, we can only look at the hard facts. Anne resisted Henry's sexual advances for nine years until their marriage. She bore him a daughter. This was followed with several miscarriages in her struggle to give Henry a son and heir. When she was unable to give birth to a live infant boy, Henry was desperate to get rid of her, and get rid of her he did by having her escorted to the gallows.
I thought the writing in this short biography was good. The information was well organized and easy to follow. In the end I felt I learned a lot. The reason I am giving this book four stars and not five is because some of the information was repeated in a couple places but all in all this book is worth the read.
I thought the writing in this short biography was good. The information was well organized and easy to follow. In the end I felt I learned a lot. The reason I am giving this book four stars and not five is because some of the information was repeated in a couple places but all in all this book is worth the read.
November 2, 2019
I enjoyed this short history of Anne Boleyn although there are some historical errors. I had no idea Anne keep him waiting until they could get married before she would have sex with him and it took over 7 years. It was all very romantic at first but he really wasn't a very nice person I don't think! I also never knew her sister had an affair with him.
It seems there is some question about her role in the Reformation. It appears to me she was part of it both directly and indirectly. For sure his lust for Anne was a part of what caused Henry VIII to split from the Catholic Church. It also seems she might have helped more directly in supporting the reformers and smuggling Protestant's Bibles into England. No matter, he daughter Elisabeth I finished it.
What they did to poor Anne to get rid of her was terrible. They accused her of everything they could make up of and it was all lies!
It seems there is some question about her role in the Reformation. It appears to me she was part of it both directly and indirectly. For sure his lust for Anne was a part of what caused Henry VIII to split from the Catholic Church. It also seems she might have helped more directly in supporting the reformers and smuggling Protestant's Bibles into England. No matter, he daughter Elisabeth I finished it.
What they did to poor Anne to get rid of her was terrible. They accused her of everything they could make up of and it was all lies!
June 13, 2019
I love this period in history and no matter how much I have read about, I still love to read more.
I was fairly disappointed with this though as it contained some irrelevant information. How Henry VIII became king is unimportant in relation to Anne Boleyn and, even more unimportant, was Henry VII's tenuous claim to the throne. All in all, this felt like a chance to have a dig at the Tudor Kings rather than a historical telling of Anne's life.
That, added to the fact that this wasn't entirely accurate made for pretty poor reading of what should have been an extremely interesting subject.
I was fairly disappointed with this though as it contained some irrelevant information. How Henry VIII became king is unimportant in relation to Anne Boleyn and, even more unimportant, was Henry VII's tenuous claim to the throne. All in all, this felt like a chance to have a dig at the Tudor Kings rather than a historical telling of Anne's life.
That, added to the fact that this wasn't entirely accurate made for pretty poor reading of what should have been an extremely interesting subject.
May 24, 2019
Not always accurate.
March 3, 2021
Anne Boleyn was one of the many wives of Henry VIII. Her job was to provide male children for him but that didn't quite work out for her. Henry VIII's patience was rather limited and she ended up loosing her head over it all.
One of the things I didn't know about her was that after her death there was an effort basically to eliminate all traces of her. Her letters were destroyed along with any other traces of her. It's was bad enough that is why there are no paintings of her from that time.
She was accused of having many lovers basically on trumped up materials.
The book goes into her young life, her early relationship with Henry VIII and her having to give up the guy she really wanted to have married. Another thing I learned was that he had tens of thousands of people executed.
The book also goes into his split with the Catholic Church and what they led to.
It's a pretty interesting book and gives a little more insight on Henry VIII's psychological state at the time.
One of the things I didn't know about her was that after her death there was an effort basically to eliminate all traces of her. Her letters were destroyed along with any other traces of her. It's was bad enough that is why there are no paintings of her from that time.
She was accused of having many lovers basically on trumped up materials.
The book goes into her young life, her early relationship with Henry VIII and her having to give up the guy she really wanted to have married. Another thing I learned was that he had tens of thousands of people executed.
The book also goes into his split with the Catholic Church and what they led to.
It's a pretty interesting book and gives a little more insight on Henry VIII's psychological state at the time.
March 24, 2020
A True Queen Among Many.
Of all the wives (six of them) that Henry the eighth had, most certainly Anne Boleyn is the one we most think of. For many years at court as a lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon must have been filled with much pump and circumstance. But once she said her mind on Henry the eighth, she made her self attracted to him from a far. Ultimately he could not wait to officially make her Queen of England. Though he turned against her in the end because she did not dare him a son, it’s a bit ironic that his and her daughter Elizabeth ended up becoming the most powerful monarch England has ever known.
A very interesting story with much insight into Person Anne Boleyn was and how she lived during her time in King Henry VIII’s court.
Of all the wives (six of them) that Henry the eighth had, most certainly Anne Boleyn is the one we most think of. For many years at court as a lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon must have been filled with much pump and circumstance. But once she said her mind on Henry the eighth, she made her self attracted to him from a far. Ultimately he could not wait to officially make her Queen of England. Though he turned against her in the end because she did not dare him a son, it’s a bit ironic that his and her daughter Elizabeth ended up becoming the most powerful monarch England has ever known.
A very interesting story with much insight into Person Anne Boleyn was and how she lived during her time in King Henry VIII’s court.
January 1, 2026
A great way to start the new year with some history.
HenryViii had six wives in total but Anne Boleyn was probably the most famous. Anne was Henry’s second wife and although Henry was married to Catherine she was dismissed and divorced due to not being able to give birth to a boy, this for Henry was one of his main goals in life.
After years of chasing Anne, she was married and became queen, but to her failure she to couldn’t produce an heir for Henry and was soon set to death and all traces of her and what she was about was to be removed. Anne was locked up in the Tower of London while Henry moved on to his third wife Jane Symore and on 19th May 1536 Anne met her death by beheading for treason.
HenryViii had six wives in total but Anne Boleyn was probably the most famous. Anne was Henry’s second wife and although Henry was married to Catherine she was dismissed and divorced due to not being able to give birth to a boy, this for Henry was one of his main goals in life.
After years of chasing Anne, she was married and became queen, but to her failure she to couldn’t produce an heir for Henry and was soon set to death and all traces of her and what she was about was to be removed. Anne was locked up in the Tower of London while Henry moved on to his third wife Jane Symore and on 19th May 1536 Anne met her death by beheading for treason.
July 24, 2021
Trailblazing woman
This woman is fascinating. Part femme fatale, part victim. She had ambitions, her family had ambitions but none of them knew when to control themselves. They painted themselves into a corner, figuratively, and it destroyed them all. I would love to know how much they actually did and how much was slander, after the fact. History is, after all, written by the victors. Regardless, she didn't deserve what happened to her. She was a victim of her time. She wasn't getting out of that alive. This book did miss a lot of the highlights of her life that played a role in her upbringing.
This woman is fascinating. Part femme fatale, part victim. She had ambitions, her family had ambitions but none of them knew when to control themselves. They painted themselves into a corner, figuratively, and it destroyed them all. I would love to know how much they actually did and how much was slander, after the fact. History is, after all, written by the victors. Regardless, she didn't deserve what happened to her. She was a victim of her time. She wasn't getting out of that alive. This book did miss a lot of the highlights of her life that played a role in her upbringing.
January 2, 2022
A well written summary of the life of Anne Boleyn, the 2nd wife of king Henry VIII. The author portrays well the intrigue and maneuvering that existed not only in Henry's court but throughout England and Europe.
Henry cared little for any of his six wives. His sole interest was in having a male heir, which he finally achieved with wife number three, Jane Seymour. Their son Edward VI would become king at nine years of age but died when he was 15.
The book also depicts Henry's cruelty and childishness throughout his life which all of his wives suffered under but especially his wife Anne paid for with her own life.
Anne advocated and championed a protestant England which is why, in part, Henry was attracted to her.
Another well written summary from the Hourly History series.
Henry cared little for any of his six wives. His sole interest was in having a male heir, which he finally achieved with wife number three, Jane Seymour. Their son Edward VI would become king at nine years of age but died when he was 15.
The book also depicts Henry's cruelty and childishness throughout his life which all of his wives suffered under but especially his wife Anne paid for with her own life.
Anne advocated and championed a protestant England which is why, in part, Henry was attracted to her.
Another well written summary from the Hourly History series.
October 13, 2019
An HH. Historical Rendition of Anne Boleyn (ALFBTE)
HH. has penned a factual account of the life and times of Anne Boleyn who was married to the King of England and had a tumultuous marriage. She was never able to produce a male son therefore she was considered less than regal. She attempted to meet and satisfy the needs of the King of England, but was condemned to death because of malicious rumors at the age of 28. This is an excellent presentation of a woman with whom this family has a direct line in ancestry.....DEHS
HH. has penned a factual account of the life and times of Anne Boleyn who was married to the King of England and had a tumultuous marriage. She was never able to produce a male son therefore she was considered less than regal. She attempted to meet and satisfy the needs of the King of England, but was condemned to death because of malicious rumors at the age of 28. This is an excellent presentation of a woman with whom this family has a direct line in ancestry.....DEHS
June 18, 2019
An okay book
Not much new about Queen Anne Boleyns life. I had hope it contained a story of her life from she was Jorn, her childhood, her days on the Continent, her life at the english court, aftermath of her murder. Sadly is this book basically a highlight of her life period. It is not a bad book but not much in this is new news about Queen Anne Boleyn. Id not purchased it had the titlen not lured me in. Sorry.
Not much new about Queen Anne Boleyns life. I had hope it contained a story of her life from she was Jorn, her childhood, her days on the Continent, her life at the english court, aftermath of her murder. Sadly is this book basically a highlight of her life period. It is not a bad book but not much in this is new news about Queen Anne Boleyn. Id not purchased it had the titlen not lured me in. Sorry.
July 19, 2020
Enjoyable Read
This biography of Anne Boleyn is interesting and covers the main points. I would have liked a bit more discussion of her life pre-Henry VIII and afterwards. For instance was she planning to marry someone else before Henry became interested in her? What was her married life like before things turned sour with her miscarriages? Did she alienate the court with her behavior? But overall I did enjoy this brief biography of Anne.
This biography of Anne Boleyn is interesting and covers the main points. I would have liked a bit more discussion of her life pre-Henry VIII and afterwards. For instance was she planning to marry someone else before Henry became interested in her? What was her married life like before things turned sour with her miscarriages? Did she alienate the court with her behavior? But overall I did enjoy this brief biography of Anne.
June 20, 2025
Another of the great Hourly History series. They are not all as good as this one. This is the kind of story where this series shines!
I knew a little about Boleyn but not this level of information. This woman had a great influence on Great Britain - way more than just being one of the 6 wives of Henry VIII. Her cultural impact is impressive not even counting the impact she made through her daughter.
I knew a little about Boleyn but not this level of information. This woman had a great influence on Great Britain - way more than just being one of the 6 wives of Henry VIII. Her cultural impact is impressive not even counting the impact she made through her daughter.
March 31, 2020
A remarkably well written book on the life of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII of England. The best bit about the book is that despite the complex context made even more complex by the enigmatic characters of the time, the author treads carefully with out any bias. The narration is riveting as the characters come alive.
July 6, 2025
Anne Boleyn was the most famous or infamous of Henry VIII ‘s wives. Movies have been made about their affair and marriage. Henry VIII pursued her and in order to get an annulment from his wife Catherine of Aragon, went as far as breaking from the Catholic Church. Reading this book revealed that she was intelligent, had standards and not at all the vilified woman that she is portrayed to be.
July 14, 2019
Getting to know Anne
I love reading about Queens, and right now I’m on a queen phase where I want to read and watch everything about whichever queen I find interesting, the life and death of Anne Boleyn had intrigued me for quite some time.
I love reading about Queens, and right now I’m on a queen phase where I want to read and watch everything about whichever queen I find interesting, the life and death of Anne Boleyn had intrigued me for quite some time.
April 13, 2020
Good read on a tragic but remarkable queen!
A great read on the life of this tragic but remarkable queen who's life was cut tragically short by her husband and king! Her only crime, marrying a blood soaked monarch Henry VIII!
A great read on the life of this tragic but remarkable queen who's life was cut tragically short by her husband and king! Her only crime, marrying a blood soaked monarch Henry VIII!
April 19, 2020
Well written but nothing new
I have read several books about Ann Boleyn, her sister Mary and her family. This one did not add anything new but did a sussinct job of covering this colorful time in European history. It can be read in an hour.
I have read several books about Ann Boleyn, her sister Mary and her family. This one did not add anything new but did a sussinct job of covering this colorful time in European history. It can be read in an hour.
June 4, 2020
An engaging n awesome read !
My inquisitiveness about Anne Boleyn became obsessive after a visit to Tower of London in 2020. This was my first read in that quest. Finished it in one go . Awesome read. Short, engaging and very informative. Is a treat for history buffs.
My inquisitiveness about Anne Boleyn became obsessive after a visit to Tower of London in 2020. This was my first read in that quest. Finished it in one go . Awesome read. Short, engaging and very informative. Is a treat for history buffs.
January 15, 2021
A very good overall picture of the life of Anne Boleyn
She is the queen you either love or hate depending on your point of view.
I found this a very balanced account of her life with no particular bias either way.
A few details missing which in a book this size is inevitable.
She is the queen you either love or hate depending on your point of view.
I found this a very balanced account of her life with no particular bias either way.
A few details missing which in a book this size is inevitable.
January 1, 2022
Side chick becomes wife then gets discarded like the previous wife. Anne may have had noble deeds with bringing the Reformation to her land but those devious side chick deeds got paid in full at the end. Karma still reigns.
April 1, 2024
Usually these books are my 3 star history books. But this one was a disappointment.
Inaccuracy aside, this didn't give much about Anne at all. The bare minimum information on her was not even justified.
For all I know, this would've been named as "The King's Great Matter".
Book #13 of 2024 #06
Inaccuracy aside, this didn't give much about Anne at all. The bare minimum information on her was not even justified.
For all I know, this would've been named as "The King's Great Matter".
Book #13 of 2024 #06
July 17, 2025
Cogent and Clear
I really enjoyed this book. In contrast to so many other tv series and movies, the facts are clearly stated here and are convincing to me. A remarkable period in history presided over by tyrannical rulers and their acolytes.
I really enjoyed this book. In contrast to so many other tv series and movies, the facts are clearly stated here and are convincing to me. A remarkable period in history presided over by tyrannical rulers and their acolytes.
April 29, 2019
I knew that I had heard the name of Anne Boleyn, but I couldn't recall anything about her. It was a short story which is fitting because she had a short life. The story still provided a lot of facts and they were presented in a way that kept it interesting. You got a pretty good idea of what it was like to live in those times.
June 26, 2019
Good quick read
For a high level review of Anne Boleyns life this book works. I wouldn’t use it a resource but more an inspiration to dive deeper if one cares to.
For a high level review of Anne Boleyns life this book works. I wouldn’t use it a resource but more an inspiration to dive deeper if one cares to.
January 18, 2020
Mary & Anne Boleyn ladies in waiting
It was enlightening to learn of the Boleyn family. Most of my knowledge was the brief marriage of Henry and Anne terminated by decapitation.
It was enlightening to learn of the Boleyn family. Most of my knowledge was the brief marriage of Henry and Anne terminated by decapitation.
April 22, 2020
I learned quite alot about the times in Anne's era.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews