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In the new Channel 5 series Henry and Anne: The Lovers Who
Changed History historian Dr Suzannah Lipscomb delves into the
world of possibly the most fascinating and contested royal
relationship that our monarchy has ever seen – this being the
courtship of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
In this two-part series, Dr Lipscomb will explore how this King
fell so fiercely in love with a lady at court, and how this led to
him going to such drastic extents to marry her. We are all too
aware of the events that came about from this romance, including
Henry VIII breaking with the Roman Catholic Church and the papacy,
becoming the Head of the Church of England, and divorcing his
devoted wife of around twenty years, Catherine of Aragon. However,
in this series, Suzannah will investigate the background of these
events in an attempt to unpick what political and personal reasons
could have led Henry into consequently changing history forever.
The question is, was it simply love, sheer devotion and infatuation
between Henry and Anne which influenced the events leading to their
marriage? Or are there more underlining factors that we have not
yet considered? And, for such a notably impatient King, what made
Henry drive towards these changes for so many years?
In this first episode, Dr Lipscomb will begin her research at Hever
Castle in Kent, which was Anne’s childhood home. It is here that
Suzannah comes across a copy of the religious volume Book of
Hours, which holds an example of Anne’s writing. Within it, she
inscribed a notable phrase: “The Time Will Come”. This could be an
interesting piece of evidence towards revealing Anne’s strategic
and advantageous ambitions from such a young age.
Anne Boleyn – Ambitious for the crown or a pawn of Henry’s advances?
Dr Lipscomb then follows Anne’s path to Château de Blois in France, where she was made a lady-in-waiting to the French Queen. It was here that Anne learned the fashionable French customs of courtly life. She was educated in how to present her wit, intelligence and refined manners to other members and visitors of the Royal court, one visitor being none other than Leonardo da Vinci. Alongside this, she also learned how to hone other courtly skills, such as dancing and singing.
After some time in France, Anne made her first appearance at the English court and met the King at a royal banquet. But was it after this first meeting that Anne became so determined to attract the King and keep his favour? Or was it Henry’s constant pursing of Anne which led to their notorious relationship, this meaning she was not as ambitious as some may think? This documentary explores the possible answers to these questions. In relation to the last point, in the first episode, Suzannah discusses with Tom Betteridge at Hampton Court about how chivalry worked within Henry’s court circles, analyising how quickly notions of love and desire could erupt into motivated sexual advances amongst the young courtiers at the time.
As their relationship developed, by reading the surviving letters between Anne and Henry, Dr Lipscomb exposes a love-sick king who wished with all his might for Anne to break her promise and become his mistress. Suzannah also looks at a number of gifts sent between the couple during their courtship, and also witnesses the Biblical messages that Anne sent to Henry relating to her providing him with a male heir – something which he desperately strove towards as his reign progressed.
It is through visits to the buildings which are now defined by the history of this Royal couple, alongside rich theatrical reconstructions, that Suzannah will bring viewers into the sphere of this enthralling and volatile relationship which changed British history.
The first episode of this series will be broadcast on Channel 5 at 8pm on Thursday 20th February, and will be repeated on Channel 5+24 on Friday 21st February at 8pm.
Photo credits: Lisby and Lord Mariser via photopin cc]]>
