About Me
My name is Anne Boleyn, also spelled Bullen, Bulen, Bolin, or Bollein (the first is French, which is why I more commonly refer to myself with it). Some people call me Nan, if I allow them the privilege. I was born at Hever Castle in Kent England, 19 of May 1507, the third child of Sir Thomas Boleyn and Lady Elizabeth Howard. I have two elder siblings: Mary, who was born in 1501, and George, who was born in 1504. I spent much of my childhood at Hever, until 1513 when my father offered me up as a lady-in-waiting for Archduchess Margaret of Austria. I was the youngest lady in service at her court, and being quite fond of me, she referred to me as "Le Petite Boulaine." A year later, I joined the French court, and was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Claude, with whom I was also a favorite. I spent many years in the French court, becoming fluid in the language and in the culture. I in fact prefer dressing in the French syle than in the English, which made me a huge fashion icon on my return to the English court. I was summoned back to England by my father in 1521 after my sister shamed our family gallavanting around the beds of the French courtiers, particularly the king Francois I. I quickly drew attention at the English court with my wit, charisma, intelligence, and style, and soon caught the eye of Sir Henry Percy, the wealthy landowner. Percy and I were betrothed until 1524, when I attracted the interest of a far more powerful man: King Henry Tudor VIII. I did not wish to get involved with the king, nor did my mother approve- Mary, my sister, had been his primary consort years before, and neither I nor my mother wished to shame our family further with whoredom. I told Henry: "Your wife I cannot be, both in respect of mine own worthiness, and also because you have a queen already. Your mistress I will not be." However, King Henry had Cardinal Wolsley (the corrupt bastard) break my betrothal with Henry Percy, and King Henry continued his advances with me. In late 1532, when it was clear Henry's intentions were to annul his marriage with Catalina de Aragona and marry myself, I joined his bed for the first time. In 1533, I was secretly wed to Henry, and in September of 1533 I gave birth to my daughter Elizabeth. My wedlock with Henry allowed me to spread my Reformist faith, and the Anglican Church was established largely in lew of my religious views. Unfortunately, I failed to produce a living male heir (though I birthed two stillborns) and Henry soon grew tired of my sauce and strength of character. I was arrested and taken to the Tower on 2nd of May 1536. My coronation corridors became my prison, and I wept bitterly when I first arrived. My trial was on the 15th of May, and having already mourned, I presented myself honestly, courageously, and clearly, pointing out falsities of my charges. On the 19th of May 1536, I was publicly executed on false charges of treason- my head smote off by the sword of the Hangman of Calais. Before I was led to the scaffold, I was famously quoted as saying: "I heard say the swordsman is very good, and I have a very little neck!" at which I laughed and bravely took on my fate.
