The age difference

[Dominique]

I just read a sample of this, and am a bit disturbed by the age difference between the Boleyns and the King. I believe King Henry and William Carey are both grown man at this time, while Mary and Anne are fourteen- and fifteen-years-old. I'm pretty uncomfortable between the flirtation going on, 'cause it seems rather predatory.
I'm also aware that Mary and George (view spoiler)[are portrayed as to having an incestuous relationship (hide spoiler)], which is much creepier, since he's stated as being 19 at the start.

I looked into this, and it turns out that Mary Boleyn was most likely born in 1500, which would make her about 22 during the time of these events. Wonder why the author decided to age her down? Am I supposed to be rooting for this Mary/Henry relationship?

[Linda]

King Henry seems to have a thing for adolescent/young women.

If you look at this family tree by Phillipa Gregory, with one exception, Henry keeps choosing younger brides. Mary is not on this tree as they were never married.

http://www.phillipagregory.com/family...