This post comes from the highlights of Adrienne Dillard’s talk on George Boleyn’s Protestantism at Tudorcon 2023.
George Boleyn, often remembered as the ill-fated brother of Anne Boleyn, played a far more significant role in the Tudor court than most people realize. Recent research by historian Adrienne Dillard has uncovered new insights into George’s life, from his feminist beliefs to his diplomatic skills and influence on religious reform in England.
One of the most fascinating discoveries is a manuscript owned by George, which included Lamentations of Mattheolus, a notorious anti-women text, but also La Livre d’Elise, a feminist rebuttal. This reveals that George, far from being a misogynist, may have had feminist leanings, influenced by his education at the court of Margaret of Austria.
George played a crucial role in shaping Henry VIII’s religious policies, particularly through his introduction of A Supplication for the Beggars. This influential text argued against the church’s control, aligning with the king’s goal of asserting his authority over the clergy.
George’s diplomatic efforts were equally impressive. His ability to navigate tense negotiations with King Francois I of France on behalf of Henry VIII earned him respect even among his political rivals.
relationship with their subjects.
Though George Boleyn is often overshadowed by his sister’s legacy, his contributions to religious reform and diplomacy were pivotal in shaping the Tudor court. To explore more about George’s fascinating life, don’t miss Adrienne Dillard’s full talk in the Tudorcon 2023 video collection.
To explore these fascinating stories and more, you can gain full access to the Tudorcon 2023 video collection. Learn directly from expert historians about the intricacies of Tudor life, politics, and power—right from the comfort of your home.
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Heather Teysko is the creator, writer, and producer of The Renaissance English History Podcast,  one of the longest running indie history podcasts, going since 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. She writes books, created the original Tudor Planner (a yearly diary filled with Tudor history) and in 2019 created the world's first Tudorcon (you can "attend" online this year!). 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.