Anne of the 1000 Days

The 1969 movie "Anne of the 1000 Days" is an excellent portrayal of the fabulously tragic story of Anne Boleyn, the second of Henry VIII's six wives.  The cinematic version of events is remarkably factual and gives an overall hearty look into the life of Boleyn and her love/hate relationship with the King of England.

The rise of Anne Boleyn began approximately in 1526 and it is documented that Henry VIII sought counsel to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon in 1527 on the grounds that the relationship could be considered incestuous.  By 1529, the relationship between Boleyn and the King had advanced further and in 1532, Boleyn was pregnant.  On January 23, 1533 Boleyn and Henry were married and in the next few months Princess Elizabeth was born, and withing the next two years Boleyn miscarried two highly anticipated male heirs.  By not producing a male heir, Boleyn was of no use to the King and soon he began to seduce Boleyn's lady in waiting Jane Seymour.  In an attempt to cast off Boleyn, Henry VIII opened an investigation that resulted in the executions of five men and the death of Anne Boleyn.

Although the story of Anne Boleyn does seem to be a Hollywood creation, it is indeed one of the most prominent stories about British monarchs.  unfortunately for Boleyn, she had three things against her: she married an unfaithful and quick tempered man, she was hated by the Catherine of Aragon loving British population, and she was not in the position of queen long enough to accomplish much of anything.  However, the influence that Boleyn had on Henry VIII is immeasurable.  By all accounts, Boleyn was the only wife Henry allowed to speak openly towards him.  After executing Boleyn, he married the timid and sickly Seymour because she was the exact opposite of Boleyn.  This influence may have made little difference in the political life of Henry VIII but it forever changed his romantic and personal life.  The way Henry VIII is often perceived in current times is a direct result of the effect of Anne Boleyn.