The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn: Family Politics at the Court of Henry VIII

ISBN-13: 9780521406772 / Angielski / Miękka / 1991 / 338 str.

Retha M Warnicke

Opis

The events which led to the execution of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second queen, in 1536 have traditionally been explained by historians in terms of a factional conspiracy masterminded by Henry's minister Thomas Cromwell. Retha Warnicke's fascinating and controversial reinterpretation focuses instead on the sexual intrigues and family politics pervading the court, offering a new explanation of Anne's fall. The picture which emerges - placing Anne's life in the context of social and religious values, and superstitions about witches and the birth of deformed children - changes our perception of her role within the court, and suggests that her execution (occurring only four months after a miscarriage) was the tragic consequence of Henry's profound concern about the continuation of the Tudor dynasty.

Recenzje

'The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn … an excellent book, clears away various misapprehensions.' The Times Higher Education Supplement

Spis treści

List of illustrations; Preface; Introduction: Queen Anne; 1. Boleyn origins; 2. Family alliances; 3. Henry's challenge; 4. Papal response; 5. Anne's turn; 6. Queen's patronage 7. Harem politics; 8. Sexual heresy; 9. Royal legacy; Appendix A. The legacy of Nicholas Sander; Appendix B. The choirbook of Anne Boleyn; Appendix C. Two poems of Sir Thomas Wyatt; Notes; Index.