I sit here with my face stained with tears, my body trembling and my heart aching for a woman who, in my mind, was one of the greatest, most inspirational women of all time. Anne Boleyn, the eldest daughter born into a noble family, a woman who stood out in her time and who, if she was alive today would surely have made a proud name for herself. She rose to the title of Queen not from arranged marriages or for profit, but from LOVE. True, untainted LOVE. Henry Tudor loved Anne and changed the face of English religion because of her. She played a major role in the Reformation, giving people the freedom to speak intimately with their God. She was a remarkable woman, an AMAZING woman. She had the courage to step outside of the traditional mold of the sixteenth century woman. She was not a submissive woman simply for breeding. She was a fiery, highly intelligent, thoughtful, caring woman who was also funny, witty and graceful. She had a deep knowledge of music, literature, religion, politics, dance and the “ways of a woman”. She was bold, curious and had great courage and strength of heart. She had goals, aspirations, dreams, desires and she was not afraid to follow them. She was unlike any woman known in the sixteenth century. And it was because of her spirit, her fire and her will to follow her heart openly that ultimately brought upon her downfall.
Anne Boleyn was executed on the Tower Green on Mary 19th 1536 on false charges of incest, treason and adultery. But unlike so many people, Anne faced her death with overwhelming dignity and grace. She confessed her innocence to the last and held her head up high right until her last breath.
Anne Boleyn once said: “But even if I were to suffer a thousand deaths, my love for you [Henry] will not abate one jot.” This was a woman who, so contrary to courtly fashion, LOVED her husband with all her heart. And it was because of that love, because of her passion, her very essence that her life was to be taken.
If I could be a tiny drop in a huge ocean like Anne Boleyn was, then I would be the proudest woman in this world. Anne Boleyn is my hero, my idol, the woman whom I would most love to be like. She is an inspiration, a role model, a true Queen. And I will never forget all that she was and did.
As was once said about Anne: “Intelligence, Spirit and Courage”.
