Page 31 - All About History - Issue 52-17

Bo e yn Sisters
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B o l e y n

S i S t e r S

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Groomed for greatness: how two siblings became

Henry VIII’s obsession

Written by Elizabeth Norton

nne Boleyn’s death on 19 May 1536 caused a stir The sisters’ father was a quick-witted, educated man
across Europe. The death of Mary Boleyn seven and renowned as the best French speaker at the English
years later attracted no notice at all. While the court. He was often sent on diplomatic embassies by
sisters had once followed each other to the royal Henry VIII, including one to Margaret of Austria, regent
Acourts of France and England, their fates were of the Netherlands, in 1512. Thomas and Margaret quickly
very different indeed. Anne and Mary both captivated Henry established a rapport, developing such an easy relationship
VIII, but only one was born to rule. that they made a friendly wager over the likely outcome of
The sisters’ births were so insignificant that no record was the negotiations between Henry VIII and Margaret’s father,
made of when, or where, they occurred. Mary was probably the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian. The pair were so
the eldest, born circa 1499, with her sister following a year or friendly that Thomas was able to secure the acceptance of
so later. A brother, George, completed the family, who were one of his daughters into the regent’s household. Surprisingly,
probably all born at Blickling Hall in Norfolk, England. he chose his youngest daughter – Anne.
Mary and Anne’s father, Sir Thomas Boleyn, was a Anne was dark skinned and raven haired at a time when
gentleman, but he was also the descendant of London trade. a pale face and blonde hair was the ideal standard of beauty.
His paternal grandfather had been a hatter, who became In appearance, she had little to recommend her, save her
fabulously wealthy and went on to serve as lord mayor of dark almond shaped eyes, which were captivating. Mary
London. He founded the family’s fortune. Thomas Boleyn was, by all accounts, the more attractive of the two sisters,
was a courtier, marrying the eldest daughter of the Earl of but Thomas evidently saw something else in his younger
Surrey (later the second Duke of Norfolk) towards the end daughter, noting the intelligence that would later bring her to
of the 15th century. Although (as Thomas later complained), the throne of England.
his wife brought him “every year a child,” the couple still Anne set out for Brussels in the summer of 1513, where she
managed to live in some style, with their children tutored did not disappoint. Margaret wrote personally to Thomas to
at home at Blicking and, later, Hever Castle in Kent, which inform him that his daughter had arrived safely and that she
Thomas inherited in 1505. was “of such good address and so pleasing in her youthful