A Different Anne Boleyn: One Life She Could Have Led, Had She Survived The Sword

By Frances Marian Ryder

There is never a reason why history cannot be reimagined, especially when it relates to the captivating Anne Boleyn. Her enduring popularity as an authorial muse centuries after her death speaks to the air of mystery and intrigue that surrounds her. We all know the real Anne - second wife of Henry VIII, executed at the Tower of London on May 19th, 1536. But what if she had survived? This book steps outside the bounds of history to envision another life Anne might have built for herself - one of commitment, diligence, and success elsewhere. Freed from the shadow of the executioner’s sword, she emerges here as a clever, adept woman leading a life she may well have wanted for herself. This is the story of that different Anne Boleyn, showcasing an alternative account of the woman who continues to fascinate the centuries after her untimely end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Jun 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9781035856060

Frances Marian Ryder

Frances Marian Ryder was employed as a company director and worked in the engineering sector for over 30 years, mostly responsible for the statutory reporting and compliance requirements of a limited company. She is also a person-centred counsellor (Rogerian Theory) and has a Master of Arts degree in Human Relations.

Book preview

About the Author

Frances Marian Ryder was employed as a company director and worked in the engineering sector for over 30 years, mostly responsible for the statutory reporting and compliance requirements of a limited company. She is also a person-centred counsellor (Rogerian Theory) and has a Master of Arts degree in Human Relations.

Dedication

To my own darling sister, Mary, much loved, greatly missed. You are safe in heaven in God’s hand. We cherish all that has gone before, now with the ones that left too soon, together again, adored.

Copyright Information ©

Frances Marian Ryder 2024

The right of Frances Marian Ryder to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781035856053 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781035856060 (ePub e-book)

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First Published 2024

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Acknowledgement

The Lady herself, Anne Boleyn, without her, there would be no book.

One life she could have led,

had she survived the sword

Part One

Anne’s Marriage to Henry

England 1533-1535

Chapter 1

Now Queen in Waiting

Silently, the newly crowned Queen of England rose from the warm scented waters of her bathtub, her wet dark hair falling luxuriously down her back. From head to toe, her ladies wrapped her petite frame in clean cloths, after which she proceeded to sit by the fire.

Anne Boleyn was unusually melancholy because something important was on her mind. Delighted by his obvious desire for her, the previous night the King had come to her bedchamber and in the seductiveness of darkness, there had been a successful union between husband and wife. As was usual for Henry VIII, he left before dawn to ready himself for confession with his chaplain followed by early mass. Anne had remained motionless in her bed and listened to the birds calling out the dawn chorus. Her courses had been two weeks prior, so she felt that the timing was right for her to become with child again. As daylight broke, she gently got up to begin her day.

Her ladies had noticed that Anne was very quiet. Lady Jane Rochford, never one to miss an opportunity to discover valuable gossip, asked, Is everything in order, Madam?

Anne kept her gaze away from Jane and said nothing. What was important in this moment was that Anne knew that there was now a possibility of a second child with Henry and her mind was consumed by that thought. No activity or noise in her bedchamber could remove her from that concentration, especially her sister-in-law Lady Jane Rochford’s unwelcomed scrutiny. Henry was desperate for a son and if Anne bore a boy, then her future would undoubtedly be secure and more importantly, influential. There would be nothing that Henry would not do for her. The birth of Elizabeth, the previous September, had been a disenchantment for Henry. Having already fathered a daughter Mary with Catherine, he had no requirement for a second one.

Anne’s confidence in her marriage was slowly diminishing as she was aware that Henry was occasionally looking in another direction at one of her ladies and this unsettled Anne tremendously. Under no circumstances could Anne become a failure in Henry’s eyes. She had to always keep his attention on her and now was her chance. It was a matter of waiting.

A sumptuously dressed Anne Boleyn left her chambers to make her way to the chapel to join Henry for dawn mass. As she proceeded out with her ladies, she saw the moving swathes of black cloth that covered the lawyer bulk of Thomas Cromwell. She did not call out his name, which was unusual for her, because Anne knew that she had to always keep a close eye on the King’s first minister.

Cromwell was as shrewd as the pursued fox and never one to lack the awareness that someone was behind him, even at a distance. He turned around and looked Anne directly in the face with his eyes firmly fixed upon her because he would have known that it was unusual for her not to demand his immediate attention, whether it was necessary or even if he wanted it or not. You could never surprise Thomas Cromwell but as Anne and her ladies passed quietly by, without a word, he felt certain that something had changed. A wry smile crossed his face. He could always rely on Mary Boleyn to give him the right signal though the smirk on her face would not necessarily give away the details of the secret, only that there was one.

On the other hand, Lady Jane Rochford always remained grim faced but Cromwell knew that she could not resist gaining an advantage if one could be wrought from any source and with her it was just a matter of time before she would emerge and divulge for the right incentive. Anne’s demeanour was enough of an indicator to Cromwell that there had been a shift in her confidence, poise and self-reliance. The wily fox could also wait.

At mass, Cromwell watched Anne and Henry carefully. Sitting close, both seemed warm towards each other, their silent concentrated prayers on their lips moved in union. Afterwards Anne and Henry went to breakfast and both seemed comfortable in each other’s presence. Occasionally, Henry would turn and genuinely smile at Anne who would coyly drop her gaze. There was nothing shy about Anne Boleyn in Henry’s presence, still one could tell that there was a secret to be told. Hope had returned to their hearts and minds and the waiting game had begun again.

Although Cromwell had already done hours of work, by mid-morning, Henry summoned his Principal Secretary, as it was the time of day when kingly business was conducted. Together both men would diligently work through the petitions, letters and communications received into the court of Henry VIII and Henry would give his instruction for Cromwell to implement. Occasionally, they would just enjoy the company of each other as the day’s business could be demandingly dry and Henry would do no work at all. When his interest lay in hunting for the rest of the day, getting any work out of him was impossible. This morning however, he stood in the window embrasure staring out at the falling rain and said nothing. Henry’s concentration was beyond the confines of the room, Cromwell’s presence and the business of his kingdom.

Cromwell knew he was wasting time this morning and said, Sir, shall I return later with the papers, we have covered enough for the day, I can see to the bulk for you if it pleases your Majesty?

The King did not respond but dropped his head and turned to Cromwell, who stared back, wondering what Henry would say next. Henry nodded in agreement, Cromwell bowed and retreated backwards from the King’s presence. Henry looked out of the window again. To anyone who was familiar with the King, it was clear that there was something of great importance on his mind and to Cromwell especially, he thought maybe, the King was thinking about a son or perhaps, a new heart’s desire, which could be problematic. Henry was a master of dissimulation so anything could be going through that princely complex head. Strangely, the King did not go hunting but remained in the palace close to the presence of Anne Boleyn. Time would tell in this matter and one just had to wait.

Cromwell was making his way to his work area that gave the King easy access to him when suddenly a swish of elegant clothing flashed past, a sobbing face flushed with tears. It was Jane Seymour who had fled from her mistress, Anne Boleyn. Cromwell changed the direction of his destination and arrived at the door to the Queen’s chamber. Obviously, his footsteps had been heard inside and Lady Jane Rochford appeared from the doorway.

What? Jane said firmly.

Cromwell just glanced coldly at her face, walking straight past her and into the Queen’s chamber. Anne Boleyn was stood in the window embrasure and he thought to himself, another posturing troubled soul just staring out of a window, is nobody happy here. Anne’s chest was heaving with fury, her face and neck were flushed red and her eyes black with anger. Cromwell uncovered his head and bowed in the presence of the Queen. Anne could barely speak from anger and her body was trembling. He said nothing, just waited for her to speak first. The look on her face was enough to tell Cromwell that she was not in the mood to speak to him so he bowed low and left the chamber. Anne did not ask him to stay but watched as he retreated from her presence. She was terrifying when her temper surfaced and unpredictable. His instincts were always to keep at a safe distance from her otherwise one’s life was clearly in danger. She could destroy you on a whim.

Lady Jane Rochford was still standing outside the doorway and ready to divulge.

Well, she said.

What is wrong here, why is she so upset? Cromwell asked.

She thinks or knows that Jane Seymour is encouraging the King’s advances, does not remove herself from his presence when he does, so she has slapped Jane across the face because of it.

Did Jane not disagree with her? he asked, thinking, have I not got enough to do as keeping the peace in the Queen’s chamber is not my remit.

Lady Jane Rochford sniggered out loud, You cannot disagree with her when she is in a mood like this, it is her jealousy, turns into a rage, gets the better of her.

In her state, she might need to calm down, Cromwell edged tentatively towards any news.

I have nothing to say, Lady Jane Rochford said. except one might wait and see.

Is she? Cromwell asked directly.

Lady Jane Rochford was as elusive as ever, Too early to tell she has an instinct that she might be, if she is, then things around here will change.

It is only been a day, hasn’t it? Cromwell was thinking how it could be known she was with child after the union with the King had only just taken place.

Well women might know these things, Jane curtly replied.

Good, it might happen then, I wish you good day Lady Rochford.

Cromwell left the presence of Lady Jane Rochford and returned to his work area, the place where he was most at ease with his papers and the simplistic courtesy and loyalty of his men whose company he could enjoy.

Anne meanwhile had taken a while to calm down and when she had, she decided that it was time to banish Jane Seymour from the court and return her to Wiltshire. The Seymour girl was obviously a threat to Anne’s existence and if she was not got rid of, then there could be dreadful consequences for Anne and Elizabeth. Anne didn’t care about Mary or Catherine but knew that Jane Seymour had been very fond of Catherine of Aragon.

Anne knew how she herself had conspired to rid Henry of Catherine and the role she had played in Catherine and Mary’s banishment from court, something that Jane Seymour had witnessed, so why would Jane Seymour not conduct the same practice on Anne Boleyn if Jane was able to grasp and hold the King’s attention. Divorce was not on the cards as far as Anne was concerned and she was adamant that Jane Seymour would not gain the upper hand over this marriage, oust her and become Henry VIII’s third wife. Henry must have heard about the quarrel with Jane Seymour and asked Anne to come to his chamber. He was concerned for her welfare and tried to reassure her that nothing untoward was happening with Jane and there had been a misunderstanding.

Anne did not believe Henry and vowed in her own mind to watch and wait on both Henry and Jane Seymour. Any indication of closeness would be eliminated immediately even if it meant sending Jane Seymour to the Tower of London. Anne Boleyn summoned Cromwell. As he stood there waiting for her demands, Cromwell looked straight at Anne. She was reticent at first then came the flurry of words, I want you to arrange for Jane Seymour to be returned to Wiltshire … immediately. Anne was very clear in her request.

Why? asked Cromwell.

I will only gain peace when she is not around, I mistrust her, she has already fanciful ideas about the King. Anne was determined that Jane should be ousted as fast as possible.

Cromwell nodded, turned and went to walk away from Anne Boleyn.

I know you are talking with Nicholas Carew about the Courtneys and Poles desire to replace me on their mistaken assumption that Jane Seymour would fit that bill, they think that Jane will return Henry to Rome, but England is a different place now that I am Queen, Henry is head of the English church, it will be much more difficult to set me aside Cromwell, like Catherine, I am more valuable to the King than that … especially now.

Cromwell was slightly taken aback that Anne had mentioned his meeting with Carew, he had thought that no one knew, but nothing ever surprised him about how easily matters leaked at court. He did however, grasp one point Anne had raised.

Especially now? questioned Cromwell.

Anne Boleyn, in a swish of silk, turned her back on him and spoke no more. Cromwell left her presence and returned to the tranquillity of his work area. Having felt he had been given the word that Anne was with child, he was now bestowed with the opportunity to ignore the fact that she had asked him to rid her of Jane Seymour, immediately, and like a good King’s first minister, returned to the duties that were in the best interest of Henry, all of them.

It was a convenience that difficult family arguments determined that Jane Seymour returned to Wolf Hall for a moderate period. Henry was aware that Jane was missing and asked Cromwell where she had gone and why. Cromwell advised that family matters were serious enough for Jane to be concerned about the welfare of her mother and sister and that she had returned to Wolf Hall to assist. It was simply that, nothing more. Henry asked Cromwell to be discreet and ensure that Jane returned as soon as matters at her home had sufficiently settled for it to be comfortable enough for her to return to court. Jane had not been summoned and was free to return when she chose however, Cromwell secretly sent a messenger to Wolf Hall with a message to hasten the King’s request.

Shortly after that, Jane Seymour reappeared at court, much to the chagrin of Anne Boleyn.

Jane Seymour did not live an easy life once she had returned to the service of the jealous Queen. Lady Jane Rochford did not make matters easier for her namesake either. Anne was known to slap Jane Seymour, in front of her other ladies, when she offended in the slightest manner. In a temper, Anne would snatch off Jane’s French hood and pull her long blonde hair so hard that Jane would cry out in pain.

All of this was because Anne’s jealousy was becoming out of control towards Jane. Anne’s anxiety about Henry showing favour to Jane was increasing daily and it was becoming more obvious. Even Henry noticed and sent Jane a small gift, a gold locket containing his picture, which she wore around her neck only to enrage Anne more. Anne eventually snatched the locket from Jane’s neck and was shocked to see a picture of Henry inside. It meant it had to have come from the King.

Cromwell was summoned and having a gold locket thrust into his hands by Anne Boleyn, he was forced to ask where it had come from. Once Anne had finished her ranting, Cromwell advised her to ignore the King’s advances towards Jane Seymour as he believed it was just a passing moment. As usual, Anne Boleyn did not agree with Cromwell and emphasised that Henry would not pass her over for another as long as she lived. Traits of Cromwell’s Machiavellian training flashed through his mind as he quietly thought to himself, that could be arranged.

Eventually, matters in the Queens’s household began to settle. According to Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour was becoming less of a threat though Anne’s guard was never down. Henry, who always asked for discretion when his first minister was dealing with his more sensitive or personal matters, was obviously following his own advisory and was showing less attention to Jane Seymour, especially if Anne was close by.

Jane Seymour’s life became a little easier but, Cromwell was aware that Jane knew the King had romantic desires for her. Like Anne though, Jane never intended to become his mistress, it was a marriage or nothing. Henry VIII wanted a son and heir above all things.

Catherine of Aragon had failed in this regard and having seen Anne Boleyn easily oust Catherine by diverting the King, if it was done once, it could be done again.

Like Catherine, Anne had provided the King with a second daughter which had made Anne vulnerable to being set aside herself, but in her favour lay the fact that Anne was young and attractive enough to conceive again and Henry was happy to do his duty as a King to obtain a male heir from his second wife. Jane though could see the emotional rift between Henry and Anne that never seemed to be fully restored after Elizabeth’s birth so she could wait until the time was right.

Several weeks had now passed and it did occur to Cromwell that this was enough time for Anne to know if there was a possibility that she was with child. He did not approach the subject with any of Anne’s ladies but did notice a small difference in the shape of Anne’s face. Normally oval and hardly carrying any weight, Anne Boleyn began to show signs of weight gain around her now pale face and although she tried to hide her stomach as she came and went into and out of her chamber, Cromwell could tell when a woman was with child. His late wife had been a similar build to Anne and had given him three children of his own.

The news came quickly from the King’s physician, Anne Boleyn was with child. The waiting was over. In Anne’s world, Jane Seymour was now history. Not only Jane, but Catherine and Mary were history too. Anne Boleyn was in her glory, expectant with the King’s child and if it was a boy, then anything and everything was there to be gained by her. Anne would become untouchable and powerful because Henry would be so grateful to his second wife, having produced a son and heir, as England would now be truly his.

The beautiful gold locket gift given to Jane Seymour by Henry and jealously snatched away by Anne Boleyn, somehow, by someone, got pressed into Jane’s tiny hands as she walked silently through the darkened corridors away from the Queen’s bedchamber. This time though, Jane made sure it was locked safely away from the prying eyes of the in gravidas Queen.

Chapter 2

Expectations

Anne Boleyn was happy in the early stages of her pregnancy and it lifted her mood tremendously. Expectations and hope had returned and she was much more relaxed and easier to deal with. Some level of anxiety had reduced yet Anne was always looking over her shoulder and despite her Queenship, wealth and status, was riven with suspicion. There had been no temper tantrums though and Jane Seymour was able to lead a quieter life, primarily because Anne knew she had the upper hand. Even Cromwell was subdued and got some peace.

As Anne moved around her bedchamber, she had got into the habit of cupping her lower stomach, cradling her child, before it had even been born. Despite her temper and haughtiness, she was a good mother towards Elizabeth and made sure that all of Elizabeth’s needs were met. Cromwell oversaw the budget for Elizabeth and Anne always held him to account and spent money on Elizabeth’s clothes and trappings. Cromwell always paid the bills when they came into his bursary from Hatfield, so he knew exactly what Anne was spending. It was never a point of contention because Elizabeth was a princess and led a princess’ life. Cromwell thought it sad that Henry’s first daughter Mary was not regarded the same way, though he blamed Catherine for his distance and aloofness towards both of them. Through the leaky court system, news must have reached Catherine that Anne Boleyn was expectant with Henry’s second child. A son would push Mary further away from the throne and this upset Catherine because she believed that she was still Henry’s true wife and Mary his rightful heir to the throne of England. The screams from Spain and Rome would be deafening.

Now Henry was attentive to Anne. He made sure that he did not upset her in any way and consistently made her the centre of his attention. He gave Anne several beautiful pieces of jewel stones and gold trinkets to hang from her girdle but he was delighted to see that Anne’s girdle no longer fitted easily around her swollen belly and waistline, so it had to be adjusted until the day came when she could not wear it at all. This gave Henry so much confidence as he could see for himself that a child was growing inside Anne. This is exactly what Anne needed, Henry’s total and constant reassurance, because she was vulnerable and chronic uncertainty played a part in her daily subsistence which she covered up with over confidence, bluster and charade.

Henry held a small feast in Anne’s honour with dancing and masques, something which Anne had partaken in many times but this evening she was a spectator, looking on at the performances. Cromwell watched from afar. He noticed some level of discomfort on Anne’s face and he put it down to the fact that this looked exactly like a scene in which Catherine had sat alone on her seat whilst Henry danced with Anne. Anne in fact, was bored by the whole familiar scenario.

The ladies were dressed in a finery of cloth of gold and silver thread, wearing beautiful painted masks with borage, camomile, cornflower, daisies and snapdragon entwined with a shimmering of pearl in their hair. A long silk train hung from their shoulders to their ankles which would waft as they gently moved in unison on the feasting hall floor to the music, making them appear as nymphs, dancing elegantly in their gold shoes. The male dancers were dressed in gold trousers with pure white linen shirts, trimmed with gold and bright blue cord. They had gold, silver and blue trimmings on their boots. The dancers emerged from a fairy tale castle which was on wheels and pushed in by servants. It was painted in white and gold and emblazoned with the vibrant red of the Tudor Rose.

In the flickering candlelight of the hall, the scene was exquisite, beautiful and a wondrous sight but Anne was used to such occasions and it had little impact upon her. Cromwell noticed her ingratitude and thought little of Anne because of it as his men had worked diligently, at the King’s whim, to produce an evening that would be a tribute to her as Henry’s wife who was bearing the heir to the English throne.

As planned, Henry was now missing from Anne’s side and it was obvious that he was one of the dancers. Henry was a fine dancer but he was tall and could be distinguished above everyone else. Only Henry Norris was as tall as the King but Anne could tell the difference by the way the King moved. Remarkably for his height and build, Henry was sprightly on his feet and danced superbly. He was to dance with Anne’s sister Mary Boleyn, so Anne was comfortable with that choice since Henry had left Mary for her. Anne was a most observant person and noticed immediately that Mary had a tear and dirty mark on the hem of her dress which was typical of her utter shoddiness. Mary had a reputation and was known, on occasion, to fade into dark corners with a gentleman for secret liaisons.

Undoubtedly, Anne thought, this was what had happened to the sumptuous masque costume that Mary had been chosen to wear as a dancer, some gallantry boot had lustfully pinned her to the spot. Glancing down the room at Cromwell hugged into his own dark corner, Anne amused herself by wondering if it was him. Anne had never seen Cromwell dance, but like any man, lust could be lurking under those layers of lawyer. Overall, it was a happy evening except Henry had drunk too much red wine and once he had finished dancing and sat down next to Anne, he fell soundly asleep. Anne woke the King and after a while they left the feast, leaving their guests to enjoy the rest of the night and retired to their bedchambers. Anne was content and relaxed.

At breakfast the following morning, Anne called Jane Seymour to her side and told her that she could expect to be treated kindly and was not to doubt her future as one of Anne’s ladies. Anne had expectations of Jane. When her son arrived, Anne said that she would need women she could trust and who was a loyal servant to her. She said she had forgiven Jane for her misdemeanour of not removing herself from the King’s presence when he looked at her for too long. Anne did not ask about the gold locket.

Jane was uncertain about her supposed misdemeanour as in the early days she was loyal to Anne Boleyn and never set out to widen any real or imagined rift between Henry and Anne, which no one else seemed to notice, but Jane did. Despite Anne’s pregnancy, Henry had a wandering eye and Jane knew when the King was looking at her and she always tried to avoid his gaze. Soon Henry would be looking for a bed fellow and Jane had no intention of becoming his mistress, she wanted more out of life than that. Anne seemed to ignore Henry’s transgression because she was now pregnant with his child, she would give the King of England a much-desired male heir and that would make her invincible. Jane herself was plotting a future potential in her mind. She was certain and filled with expectation that one day Henry would tire of Anne and she might stand a chance of catching and holding his attention then. Though she appeared quiet and humble, Jane was highly ambitious and was pushed by her two equally determined brothers to encourage the King. Meanwhile, she would serve the Queen because she really did not want to return to Wolf Hall.

Anne spent her days reading, listening to her musicians, writing music and poetry with which she entertained Henry. In turn, Anne would watch Henry play tennis and was an avid supporter of him at the game, betting on his winning form. Anne could play the lute and the virginals, which she did exceptionally well and undertook meticulous needlework and embroidery.

Anne would play cards in the evening after dinner with Henry too. Both were extremely relaxed in each other’s company, even though Anne would be fierce competition for the King and often, he would lose the game to her. She made sure that her ladies went to the King to collect her winnings and surprisingly, he always gracefully paid up. If the King had no cash on his person, he would send to Cromwell to bring a purse to him so he could be seen to settle his gambling debts. Henry of course, expected the same courtesy from Anne when she lost and she would diligently oblige. The court however, was aware that Anne appeared to win more games than Henry, so he was always just getting back the money he had already paid over to his wife.

Anne was a meticulous woman who showed natural excellence in all things that she did. She had stopped riding her horse and hunting with the King only because of her advancing pregnancy but she missed the sport and the outdoors tremendously. Also, her love of horses and dogs was well known among the courtiers and she kept a small dog that had been brought from Calais