Today in Queen Bess's Life

Just eleven days after the execution of her mother, Anne Boleyn, in 1536, Bess's father, Henry VIII marries Jane Seymour.  Jane had been a Lady in Waiting to both of Henry's first two wives:  Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn.

Henry's eagerness to marry Jane was fueled by his desire for a male heir.  Jane was quite the opposite of Anne Boleyn

Famous Spinster Birthday -- Pam Grier

"Me, sexy?  I'm just plain ol' beans and rice." -- Pam Grier

(I beg to differ)

Born:  May 26, 1949

Today in Queen Bess's Life

Anne Boleyn is executed on Tower Hill in 1536.  Her speech:

“Good Christian people, I have not come here to preach a sermon; I have come here to die. For according to the law and by the law I am judged to die, and therefore I will speak nothing against it. I am come hither to accuse no man, nor to speak of that whereof I am accused and condemned to die, but I pray God save the King and send him long to reign over you, for a gentler nor a more merciful prince was there never, and to me he was ever a good, a gentle, and sovereign lord. And if any person will meddle of my cause, I require them to judge the best. And thus I take my leave of the world and of you all, and I heartily desire you all to pray for me.”

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Also today, Elizabeth was released from the Tower and taken to Woodstock to continue her imprisonment under house arrest.  The procession from the Tower to Woodstock showed that Elizabeth had many supporters as she received an enthusiastic reception by the commoners.  Elizabeth would remain almost a year at Woodstock during which time the stress took a toll on her health as she waited for the moment that she would be taken back to the Tower for execution.  Her freedom was very limited -- including access to writing materials.  It was at Woodstock that she wrote the following on a shutter:

"Much suspected by me,

Nothing proved can be, 

Quoth Elizabeth prisoner."

Today in Queen Bess's Life

Anne Boleyn and her brother, George, were tried in the King's Hall in the Tower of London in 1536.  The charges included adultery, incest, and treason.  In response, Anne gave the following speech:

"I do not say that I have always borne toward the king the humility which I owed him, considering the kindness and the great honour he showed me and the great respect he always paid me; I admit too, that I have often taken it into my head to be jealous of him ... But may God be my witness if I have done him any other wrong."

It was an effort in futility...

Account of the Trial of Anne Boleyn

Famous Spinster Birthday -- Florence Nightingale

"I think one's feelings waste themselves in words; they ought to all be distilled into actions which bring results."  Florence Nightingale

Born:  May 12, 1820
Died:  August 13, 1910

Today in Queen Bess's Life

The Arrest of Anne Boleyn, David Wilkie Winfield

In 1536, it is the beginning of the end for Elizabeth's mother.  Anne is arrested and taken to the Tower.  She will only have days to live.