Today in 1536 Archbishop Cranmer visited Anne in her cell in the Tower.
Some have theorized that he offered Anne some kind of deal – she could confess to something that would have been an impediment in her marriage, and in return she might go to a nunnery. Later that evening at dinner, she said that she believed that she would go to a nunnery, and was “in hope of life.” Something happened that day to give her some kind of renewed hope, so it’s possible that Cranmer had given her something to hang on to.
Her marriage to Henry would be annulled, leaving her daughter Elizabeth a bastard, and disinheriting her. Of course, Anne would have no idea that Elizabeth would become such a shining example of a Queen.
That’s your Tudor Minute for today. Remember you can dive deeper into life in 16th century England through the Renaissance English History Podcast at englandcast.com.
Suggested links:
Episode 010: A Tale of Two Thomases Part 2 (Cromwell & Cranmer)
Episode 076: Alison Weir on Anne Boleyn
From the shop:
Anne Boleyn Collection
Featuring: Anne Boleyn Portrait Clutch Bag
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Heather Teysko is the creator, writer, and producer of The Renaissance English History Podcast, the original Tudor history podcast, started in 2009. She's been writing about history online for over 25 years, since her first site on Colonial American history became number one in history on Yahoo in 1998. In 2019 she created Tudorcon, which is now a yearly event, in addition to writing books, and running TudorFair.com - a whimsical Tudor Merch shop. She has been passionate about Tudor England since she first read Alison Weir's The Six Wives of Henry VIII 20 years ago, and subsequently moved to London after college to spend her time immersed in Tudor history.