Adultery?

So, I had an article to back this up, but of course I can't find it. In any event, something interesting struck me while reading an article on my favorite English Queen.

Anne was sent to the Tower of London on charges of incest, adultery, and witchcraft. Honestly, in that time period, adultery would have been enough to execute her. In fact, adultery against the King was tantamount to treason!

Alright, so Anne's in the Tower about to be executed. Everyone with me? Good. Three days before her scheduled execution, Henry VIII dissolved his marriage to Anne. He did not divorce her. He had the marriage annuled. (Annuled means, according to God and everyone else, that marriage never actually happened.)

Right. So, how can someone who was technically never married have been convicted and executed on grounds of adultery? Perhaps that is why the charges of incest (I mean, ew) and witchcraft (seriously?) were added to cover the proverbial butts of the King and his Council.

Sounds like Queen Anne got royally...well, you know.

My new obsession

Well, its not really "new". I've been fascinated by Tudor England for years, especially the reign of Henry VIII. We're talking about a man that had six wives and was only survived by two. Two divorced (Catherine of Aragon & Anne of Cleves), two were beheaded (Anne Boleyn), one died in childbirth (Jane Seymour), and the last outlived him (Catherine Parr).

What interests me more than just his reign is the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn. Anne's death has been portrayed in countless plays, films, and television shows. Here's a random thought for you...it is documented that Anne was blindfolded before her beheading. Why is she typically not blindfolded in her film/television adaptations? Weird, right?

Here's some fun for you. Anne's death scene in Showtime's acclaimed series: The Tudors. Enjoy!