The boleyns

• While henrys married was failing due to Catherines infertility, henry became infatuated by Anne Boleyn. She almost acted as a catalyst that sped up henrys desire for an annulment. Anne was young and had more of a chance of becoming pregnant
• Wolseys fall from power - Boleyn

  Henrys infatuation with Anne gave her father (thomas) and brother ( George ) increasing power in court . Wolseys failure to secure an annulment led to the Boleyn plotting against him suggesting that Wolsey was working for the pope. Anne hated Wolsey so together her, her family and Wolseys enemies in court persuaded henry to get rid of wolsey.
• What were the implications of Anne's downfall for Cromwell and foreign relations?

  • Cromwell's position was jeopardized if king blamed him for marriage
  • Potential blame from King Henry
  • Anne's removal improved relations with foreign powers
  • Increased risk of invasion by Charles V if Anne was kept on
• Annes downfall - her behaviour

  Anne was extremely flirtatious

  Now the behaviour that first attracted his now making him angry

  Cromwell arrested a man named mark smeaton who fancied Anne, while being tortured he confessed to Anne sleeping with 5 men including her brother

  Cromwell also said that Anne had imaged the kings death which was a crime which ended with execution
• Annes downfall - seymours


  Henry fell in love with jane seymour

  one of annes ladies in waiting

  she was quiet and gentle ( ideal tudor women ) opposite of Anne

  Henry felt jane was more likely going to secure a male heir

  had 2 influential brothers, Edward and thomas

  edward served in henrys war with france 1520s

  thomas was one of the kings courtiers
• annes downfall - male heir

  Anne failed to give henry a male heir to continue the Tudor dynasty.

  jan 1933 - Anne pregnant with Elizabeth, accelerated henrys break from Rome - when Anne birthed Elizabeth he was disappointed

  january 1936 - anne suffered a miscarriage and blamed it on henrys serious jolting accident and his mistresses

  Henry believed god was still punishing him
• Henry married jane on the 30th may 1536 - 11 days after annes death,

  oct 1937 gave birth to Edward

  died 2 weeks after

  henry went into a state of mourning and didn't marry until 2 years later for an alliance as increased pressure from Francis i and Charles v