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Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn
The Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn is perhaps the most remarkable document of the kind known to exist. The letters appear to have been written after Anne Boleyn had been sent away from court, in consequence of reports injurious to her reputation, which had begun to be publicly circulated. Her removal indeed was so abrupt that she had resolved never to return. The king soon repented his harshness, and strove to persuade her to come back; but it was a long time, and not without great trouble, before he could induce her to comply. This book is very different from other works on the same topic and two of its letters-the fifth and the thirteenth-are not comprehended in the Vatican collection. Of the seventeen letters here included eight were written in English and nine in French.
72 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1720
About the author
Henry VIII
66 books10 followersHenry VIII succeeded Henry VII, his father, from 1509 as king; after divorce from Catherine of Aragon as the first of his six wives compelled him to break from the Catholics, the act of supremacy of 1534 established the Church of England.
His insistence on a divorce with Catherine of Aragon as his first wife in 1533 caused his break with Rome and the beginning of the Reformation.
Anne Boleyn served as queen of England from 1533 to 1536 as his second wife.
Jane Seymour, queen of England from 1536 as his third wife, gave birth to Edward VI, his heir, and afterward died.
Anne of Cleves served as queen of England from January 1540 to July 1540 as his fourth wife.
From 1547, Edward VI, his son with Jane Seymour|, reigned as king of England and Ireland.
Elizabeth of York at Greenwich Palace bore Henry as the second son. Arthur, Prince of Wales and older brother of Henry, predeceased his father. He enjoyed Margaret and Mary, his two sisters. Arthur died, making Henry next in line for the throne. Henry married widow of Arthur. People credit this talented composer and author. Orders of famously unpredictable and temperamental Henry VIII, however, executed many of his subjects.
This perhaps most famous monarch and Thomas Cromwell, the archbishop of Canterbury, split from the Roman pope, and he married six times.
His physical decline and huge obesity dominated his later reign. Henry lay dying in 1547 with last words, reportedly, "monks monks monks", with certain historians consider as a reference to eviction during the dissolution of the monasteries.
His insistence on a divorce with Catherine of Aragon as his first wife in 1533 caused his break with Rome and the beginning of the Reformation.
Anne Boleyn served as queen of England from 1533 to 1536 as his second wife.
Jane Seymour, queen of England from 1536 as his third wife, gave birth to Edward VI, his heir, and afterward died.
Anne of Cleves served as queen of England from January 1540 to July 1540 as his fourth wife.
From 1547, Edward VI, his son with Jane Seymour|, reigned as king of England and Ireland.
Elizabeth of York at Greenwich Palace bore Henry as the second son. Arthur, Prince of Wales and older brother of Henry, predeceased his father. He enjoyed Margaret and Mary, his two sisters. Arthur died, making Henry next in line for the throne. Henry married widow of Arthur. People credit this talented composer and author. Orders of famously unpredictable and temperamental Henry VIII, however, executed many of his subjects.
This perhaps most famous monarch and Thomas Cromwell, the archbishop of Canterbury, split from the Roman pope, and he married six times.
His physical decline and huge obesity dominated his later reign. Henry lay dying in 1547 with last words, reportedly, "monks monks monks", with certain historians consider as a reference to eviction during the dissolution of the monasteries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
June 27, 2022
Henry VIII was such a fuckboy.
October 21, 2017
...the longer the days are, the more distant is the sun, and nevertheless the hotter; so is it with our love, for by absence we are kept a distance from one another, and yet it retains its fervour...
December 12, 2012
From France: The Letters In French and English:
A fascinating glimpse back, a peek really, through the cracked and moldy window of time. As interesting as it truly is, to read these letters penned from their own intriguing and by all accounts, disturbed and disturbing minds—mindsets, whatever their reasons (or justifications) were regarding their actions here or there is not a call I'm making here, as my point is this: these letters are but a peek, less really, into that world. And while I was ever aware of their import while I was reading them, muchly appreciating the value of the "real thing" over rehashed faction, which can range from frighteningly bad to better than others...
YEAH, RIGHT...
...what this little collection did for me was to illuminate what little is left of the real for us to ruminate on. Yes, of course there are a great many historical documents available to us from the entire reign of the Tudors. The Lancaster's, York's, Seymour's, The Boylen's, Cromwell's, The Castille's. Well, the list goes on and on as do the many volumes regaling their place in history.
THE LETTER(S)
But, it IS a different experience reading historical truth for yourself, first-hand. These sweet nothings penned with such lustful intent by a King whose pious marriage is foundering, by a King who has finally found his mojo. And from there, that place of newly discovered lusty mojo, there is no going back from a place such as that. And so the fate of the young Lady Anne is sealed. These letters are a harbinger to her doom. And to be fair, his too.
REALITY
February 12, 2012
I want to preface this review with the following meme, which I believe some readers may find applicable :
Don't get me wrong: I am a history and Medieval studies major, so I always enjoy a good primary source. But seriously, Henry, I sometimes wonder about you! Most of this short little series of letters is Henry complaining how lonely he is, and how badly he wants to get into Anne's skirts. It's nice to know men don't really change much, I guess.
Don't get me wrong: I am a history and Medieval studies major, so I always enjoy a good primary source. But seriously, Henry, I sometimes wonder about you! Most of this short little series of letters is Henry complaining how lonely he is, and how badly he wants to get into Anne's skirts. It's nice to know men don't really change much, I guess.
Read
January 14, 2020I'm going to bet my bottom dollar that King Henry VIII did not pen love letters to the future Queen Anne Boleyn thinking that they would be read, analyzed, and used as research material into prosperity. Yet, here we are. Perhaps, it is the equivalent to modern day nude selfies that never truly disappear or sex tapes from celebrities. Although all Tudor history lovers have read the correspondence between Henry and Anne in history texts; they are conglomerated in one place in, "Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn".
This edition of "Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn" is literally a collection of Henry's letters to Anne and one of Anne's to Henry; nothing more and nothing less. The text can be read in mere minutes and yet; it somehow encourages a deeper level of thought. Reading Henry's words truly causes readers to decipher his feelings, motives, and the inner-relations between Henry and Anne. In its own way, the letters create a narrative and character development arc. This also brings into play a physiological study that brings out a reader's own theories regarding Henry's emotions and behaviors.
Unfortunately, "Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn" doesn't supplement with such a printed analysis excepting for a few quick pages describing letter order, briefly mentioning the lost letters of Anne, and the chronological timeline of the letters and English history events corresponding to the letters. More of this level of material would have been welcome and would have strengthened "Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn".
Despite this absence, "Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn" is a wonderful research source and terrific for all fiction and non-fiction pieces.
"Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn" is suggested for all readers interested in Tudor England, King Henry VIII, and Anne Boleyn even if the letters have been read in other texts: it is a different experience reading these extant pieces in one collection.
This edition of "Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn" is literally a collection of Henry's letters to Anne and one of Anne's to Henry; nothing more and nothing less. The text can be read in mere minutes and yet; it somehow encourages a deeper level of thought. Reading Henry's words truly causes readers to decipher his feelings, motives, and the inner-relations between Henry and Anne. In its own way, the letters create a narrative and character development arc. This also brings into play a physiological study that brings out a reader's own theories regarding Henry's emotions and behaviors.
Unfortunately, "Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn" doesn't supplement with such a printed analysis excepting for a few quick pages describing letter order, briefly mentioning the lost letters of Anne, and the chronological timeline of the letters and English history events corresponding to the letters. More of this level of material would have been welcome and would have strengthened "Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn".
Despite this absence, "Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn" is a wonderful research source and terrific for all fiction and non-fiction pieces.
"Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn" is suggested for all readers interested in Tudor England, King Henry VIII, and Anne Boleyn even if the letters have been read in other texts: it is a different experience reading these extant pieces in one collection.
July 20, 2011
I use the story of Henry VIII and his wives to help students learn how to take lecture notes. Why marry the big fat gooba is the question that gets ask. Because he's the king and you can't say no, because of the money, silks, jewels.
And because of this.
I've always been one of those Tudor groupies who has a fondness for both Katherine of Aragon and for Anne Boleyn (I also like Anne of Cleves and Katherine Parr). I always thought that Henry VIII believed what he said about his first marriage, though I also think that it wasn't necessary the truth. I also don't believe Anne Boleyn commited adultery. She doesn't strike me as that stupid.
Reading these letters from Henry to Anne, one can understand why she married him, even if one's view of history is that of Anne of a Thousand Days. Henry comes across as an ardent and passionate love. The letters smolder, even in this Kindle digtal edition. The attraction that Henry must have had in his life comes though far more than any biography of him.
And because of this.
I've always been one of those Tudor groupies who has a fondness for both Katherine of Aragon and for Anne Boleyn (I also like Anne of Cleves and Katherine Parr). I always thought that Henry VIII believed what he said about his first marriage, though I also think that it wasn't necessary the truth. I also don't believe Anne Boleyn commited adultery. She doesn't strike me as that stupid.
Reading these letters from Henry to Anne, one can understand why she married him, even if one's view of history is that of Anne of a Thousand Days. Henry comes across as an ardent and passionate love. The letters smolder, even in this Kindle digtal edition. The attraction that Henry must have had in his life comes though far more than any biography of him.
September 21, 2016
Very short and rather sweet, albeit foreboding. Did Henry VIII know he'd end up sending Anne to the scaffold? Most of these were written in the early days of their courtship; they were delightful to read, I felt like the gave me a slice of how Henry's mind worked when it came to Anne; he was so obsessed with her becoming his. I really enjoyed the letter to Wolsey from Anne, and the letter from Anne to Henry, respectively. I adore Anne Boleyn and she's definitely a hero of mine so it was nice to read these amorous little letters.
September 15, 2017
Roland Barthes suggests that erotic love is always articulated through a set of culturally-constructed postures: with these letters we can see how Henry VIII self-fashions himself as both a lover and a king, both positions performed via the mediations of the letter form and addressed to the always-absent Anne Boleyn.
Although the letters were published before this in the Harleian Manuscript in English translations, Crapelet gives us transcriptions of the originals, 9 of which (out of 17) were written by Henry VIII in French - the language of literary and courtly love. With the originals still held in the Vatican library, this edition allows us to read the letters as they were first written without the complications of superimposed translation.
The transmission of the letters themselves is fascinating: they disappeared when Anne was arrested, imprisoned and executed, perhaps stolen by the Venetian ambassador; ended up in the Vatican from where they were taken to Paris by Napoleon where they were transcribed by the head librarian at the Biblioteque Nationale, and then eventually returned to the Vatican.
They can certainly be read in a straightforward way as records of Henry's courtship of Anne Boleyn, but more recent theoretical stances have complicated these letters blurring the lines between textual history and literature, between 'reality' and fiction, and seen these as performative sites of identity construction.
Although the letters were published before this in the Harleian Manuscript in English translations, Crapelet gives us transcriptions of the originals, 9 of which (out of 17) were written by Henry VIII in French - the language of literary and courtly love. With the originals still held in the Vatican library, this edition allows us to read the letters as they were first written without the complications of superimposed translation.
The transmission of the letters themselves is fascinating: they disappeared when Anne was arrested, imprisoned and executed, perhaps stolen by the Venetian ambassador; ended up in the Vatican from where they were taken to Paris by Napoleon where they were transcribed by the head librarian at the Biblioteque Nationale, and then eventually returned to the Vatican.
They can certainly be read in a straightforward way as records of Henry's courtship of Anne Boleyn, but more recent theoretical stances have complicated these letters blurring the lines between textual history and literature, between 'reality' and fiction, and seen these as performative sites of identity construction.
January 2, 2024
Yes, he was a murder and yes, he was a massive misogynist and general dick but ... Henry VIII could write a lovely letter👌
8/10 (I can't exactly give the man 10/10 for his love letters - he chopped off her head🤷♀️)
8/10 (I can't exactly give the man 10/10 for his love letters - he chopped off her head🤷♀️)
February 2, 2017
I love almost everything to do with Tudor England and have for many years.
I enjoyed being able to read Henry's letters to Anne but wish I could have read her replies. It also would have been nice to see the dates on which each letter was sent and perhaps some note of what was happening in England at the time each letter was written. Truthfully, only the letters detailing the plague gave any indication of time.
I know the rough time frame of the letters from my own studies throughout the year, but knowing actual dates would have been preferred.
Still a great addition to my collection.
My copy was a print on demand copy. Copyrighted in 2009 by Merchant Books and digitalized by Watchmaker Publishing. Illustrations were by Florence Swan and Notes by J. O. Phillips
I enjoyed being able to read Henry's letters to Anne but wish I could have read her replies. It also would have been nice to see the dates on which each letter was sent and perhaps some note of what was happening in England at the time each letter was written. Truthfully, only the letters detailing the plague gave any indication of time.
I know the rough time frame of the letters from my own studies throughout the year, but knowing actual dates would have been preferred.
Still a great addition to my collection.
My copy was a print on demand copy. Copyrighted in 2009 by Merchant Books and digitalized by Watchmaker Publishing. Illustrations were by Florence Swan and Notes by J. O. Phillips
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2018
Only someone familiar with the History of Anne and Henry would enjoy this.
April 22, 2021
When you look past the fact that this man beheaded, divorced, and just was a general monster to all six of his wives, it’s kind of sweet. A quick read too
March 11, 2017
I know that the love letters Henry VIII wrote to his second wife Anne Boleyn before their marriage are available for free online, but for me there is nothing like having them all compiled into one little book. I admit that I have read this book several times but this is the first time that I have sat down and written my thoughts and feelings as I read.
What I love most about these letters is how you can literally feel the passion and desire Henry held for Anne. It’s almost as though that passion seeps into your fingertips as you hold the book and read. Henry was completely and utterly smitten with Anne, as though no other woman in the world existed to him but her. They are also very romantic and this is a different side of Henry VIII, far from the tyrannical obese monster most people imagine him to have been. Here is a very passionate, very romantic man writing words of love and devotion, promising to be Anne’s loyal and faithful servant. Giving her his heart and wishing so desperately that time were shortened so that they might be together again. Henry was a King of England, a larger than life ruler literally putting himself at the very feet of Anne Boleyn. These letters are such an extraordinary insight into the mind of Henry during the time he was courting Anne.
What I also find very astounding about these letters is that history tells us that Henry did not particularly like to write letters, and yet here he is pouring out his heart onto paper because of the love and affection he held for Anne. Even more than this the letters seem to suggest that Anne often promised to write back to Henry but many times did not. She left him hanging, the King of England! For me this is truly incredible and helps to show just a little of the magnetism and attraction that Anne Boleyn must have had about her. I can only imagine what it would be like to be in her presence, a woman whom could hold the attention of a King for so long and through so much. I think these letters in themselves prove that there was more to Anne than just a bit of French skill and charm. She truly was a captivating, intriguing and compelling woman.
When I read Anne Boleyn’s letter to Cardinal Wolsey asking of his health and of the great matter my mind was struck with an image. I imagined Anne Boleyn sitting at her desk in her chamber, the window close by casting the orange glow of the afternoon sun upon the paper. I imagined Anne writing, her long slender fingers holding the quill as it moved across the paper, pausing only to dip into the black ink. For some reason this image really stuck with me and I felt so connected to Anne through reading her letter. If she only could have known then what a huge impact her life has on mine.
I cannot help but wonder if Henry wrote anymore letters to Anne than the seventeen that have survived today? We tragically have only one letter that Anne Boleyn wrote to Henry and that letter was probably very early on in their relationship during the late summer of 1526. Anne’s letter is beautifully written, so humble and thankful for the great wonders the King has shown her. And yet there is also something else in her letter, a hint of something more, a promise of a kiss? Or the promise of something even more meaningful like her heart? It pains me greatly to wonder what ever happened to the letters that Anne wrote to Henry. How many did she write? When did she write them? What was she thinking and feeling when she wrote them? Whatever happened to them? I think, in my little fantasy, that Henry kept the letters with him. After Anne’s arrest and fall I imagine that he took the letters out late one night and cast them one at a time into the crackling fire, watching as they burnt and turned to ash. I guess that is one of the greatest mysterious of all time, one question that perhaps may never be answered… what happened to the letters Anne wrote Henry?
I’ve read the Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn countless times and yet every single time they still pull me in and I find myself lost in a history of love and passion. So many wonderful and detailed images and places fill my mind as I read and I think of the passionate, happy times Anne and Henry would have spent together. A time when it seemed as though it was just them against the world. We all know about Anne’s fall and her execution but sometimes, especially when I read these letters, I like to reflect upon the happier, promising times of her life with Henry VIII. Even after hundreds of years there is just something about these letters, as though when they were written the writer poured so much of himself into the paper that that passion, desire and longing can still be felt today. There’s such a mystic and power about these love letters that I will forever be drawn to them… like a moth to a flame.
What I love most about these letters is how you can literally feel the passion and desire Henry held for Anne. It’s almost as though that passion seeps into your fingertips as you hold the book and read. Henry was completely and utterly smitten with Anne, as though no other woman in the world existed to him but her. They are also very romantic and this is a different side of Henry VIII, far from the tyrannical obese monster most people imagine him to have been. Here is a very passionate, very romantic man writing words of love and devotion, promising to be Anne’s loyal and faithful servant. Giving her his heart and wishing so desperately that time were shortened so that they might be together again. Henry was a King of England, a larger than life ruler literally putting himself at the very feet of Anne Boleyn. These letters are such an extraordinary insight into the mind of Henry during the time he was courting Anne.
What I also find very astounding about these letters is that history tells us that Henry did not particularly like to write letters, and yet here he is pouring out his heart onto paper because of the love and affection he held for Anne. Even more than this the letters seem to suggest that Anne often promised to write back to Henry but many times did not. She left him hanging, the King of England! For me this is truly incredible and helps to show just a little of the magnetism and attraction that Anne Boleyn must have had about her. I can only imagine what it would be like to be in her presence, a woman whom could hold the attention of a King for so long and through so much. I think these letters in themselves prove that there was more to Anne than just a bit of French skill and charm. She truly was a captivating, intriguing and compelling woman.
When I read Anne Boleyn’s letter to Cardinal Wolsey asking of his health and of the great matter my mind was struck with an image. I imagined Anne Boleyn sitting at her desk in her chamber, the window close by casting the orange glow of the afternoon sun upon the paper. I imagined Anne writing, her long slender fingers holding the quill as it moved across the paper, pausing only to dip into the black ink. For some reason this image really stuck with me and I felt so connected to Anne through reading her letter. If she only could have known then what a huge impact her life has on mine.
I cannot help but wonder if Henry wrote anymore letters to Anne than the seventeen that have survived today? We tragically have only one letter that Anne Boleyn wrote to Henry and that letter was probably very early on in their relationship during the late summer of 1526. Anne’s letter is beautifully written, so humble and thankful for the great wonders the King has shown her. And yet there is also something else in her letter, a hint of something more, a promise of a kiss? Or the promise of something even more meaningful like her heart? It pains me greatly to wonder what ever happened to the letters that Anne wrote to Henry. How many did she write? When did she write them? What was she thinking and feeling when she wrote them? Whatever happened to them? I think, in my little fantasy, that Henry kept the letters with him. After Anne’s arrest and fall I imagine that he took the letters out late one night and cast them one at a time into the crackling fire, watching as they burnt and turned to ash. I guess that is one of the greatest mysterious of all time, one question that perhaps may never be answered… what happened to the letters Anne wrote Henry?
I’ve read the Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn countless times and yet every single time they still pull me in and I find myself lost in a history of love and passion. So many wonderful and detailed images and places fill my mind as I read and I think of the passionate, happy times Anne and Henry would have spent together. A time when it seemed as though it was just them against the world. We all know about Anne’s fall and her execution but sometimes, especially when I read these letters, I like to reflect upon the happier, promising times of her life with Henry VIII. Even after hundreds of years there is just something about these letters, as though when they were written the writer poured so much of himself into the paper that that passion, desire and longing can still be felt today. There’s such a mystic and power about these love letters that I will forever be drawn to them… like a moth to a flame.
January 31, 2013
Every teen girl should read these and then be told exactly which wife of Henry VIII's they were dedicated to. I thought these letters were very sweet and romantic, but of course the whole time I was reading them I was just thinking "liar." Either that or he was massively bipolar. I don't think it's possible to go from loving someone honestly, and then not care that you have them killed a few years later.
April 5, 2013
The history nut and Anglophile in me found these fascinating. It's such a treat to read the direct words and thoughts of Henry VIII. Very neat read.
March 12, 2018
Who knew Henry VIII could be so romantic? Obviously I didn't! Now I know for sure there was no doubt about whether he loved Anne Boleyn or not, as he very obviously did. The only thing I have issues with is the old English language, so some of the things he was talking about made absolutely no sense to me, but the end notes helped with that.
December 14, 2022
read this for fun bc i watched the documentary series and i will say this was lowkey traumatizing but so fun at the same time bc history — no matter what kind — will always be so interesting to me
October 7, 2014
L’opera presenta al lettore un’alternativa al tradizionale saggio storico, poiché a parlare è Enrico VIII in persona. La sua voce giunge non attraverso il filtro del romanzo storico, ma direttamente dalla sua mano di re che scrive lettere di suo pugno.
L’opera si apre con un saggio introduttivo della studiosa Nadia Fusini la quale presenta la “storia d’amore” tra Enrico VIII e Anna Bolena narrando tutte le vicende storiche (innamoramento, divorzio da Caterina d’Aragona con conseguente scisma anglicano, ascesa e caduta di Anna riscattata poi dall’avvento al trono di sua figlia Elisabetta.)
La parte centrale dell’opera, nonché la più affascinante, è occupata dalle lettere. Sono diciassette le missive contenute in questo volume (conservate presso la biblioteca Vaticana). Una precisazione è doverosa: le risposte di Anna sono andate perdute, probabilmente perché vennero distrutte da Enrico stesso.
Le lettere non sono datate, per cui risulta difficile stabilire l’esatta cronologia che si può solamente ipotizzare conoscendo gli eventi storici ai quali Enrico allude. Nove lettere sono scritte in lingua francese, la lingua della seduzione. Protagonista è un Enrico innamorato, un servitore della donna secondo la tradizione dell’amore cortese, colpito dal dardo d’amore, che auspica di poter avere presto con sè la sua amata; le restanti otto sono in lingua inglese e trattano argomenti pragmatici riguardo la politica del regno, anche se il tono del re è comunque dolce. Completano la raccolta due lettere scritte da Anna al cardinale Wolsey, una delle quali reca un post scriptum di Enrico. La lettura prosegue con l’ultima lettera di Anna al marito redatta durante la prigionia. Lettera dalla dubbia autenticità, mai giunta tra le mani di Enrico, che sarebbe stata ritrovata tra le carte di Thomas Cromwell. Chiude la raccolta una lettera, in lingua inglese, scritta da Enrico all’amata Jane Seymour quando egli era ancora sposato con Anna. Nella lettera si legge di un uomo innamorato che auspica di poter presto congiungersi con la sua donna e per questo ricorda quelle indirizzate alla Bolena.
Il volume si chiude con un saggio di Iolanda Plescia che sviluppa tematiche storico – filologiche riguardo il ritrovamento e la pubblicazione delle lettere.
In questo “gioco storico” il lettore non resta in disparte. Egli legge con vivace interesse le epistole scoprendo il lato romantico di un personaggio austero, severo e un pò “Barbablù” quale è la figura di Enrico VIII che la tradizione tramanda sino a noi.
L’opera si apre con un saggio introduttivo della studiosa Nadia Fusini la quale presenta la “storia d’amore” tra Enrico VIII e Anna Bolena narrando tutte le vicende storiche (innamoramento, divorzio da Caterina d’Aragona con conseguente scisma anglicano, ascesa e caduta di Anna riscattata poi dall’avvento al trono di sua figlia Elisabetta.)
La parte centrale dell’opera, nonché la più affascinante, è occupata dalle lettere. Sono diciassette le missive contenute in questo volume (conservate presso la biblioteca Vaticana). Una precisazione è doverosa: le risposte di Anna sono andate perdute, probabilmente perché vennero distrutte da Enrico stesso.
Le lettere non sono datate, per cui risulta difficile stabilire l’esatta cronologia che si può solamente ipotizzare conoscendo gli eventi storici ai quali Enrico allude. Nove lettere sono scritte in lingua francese, la lingua della seduzione. Protagonista è un Enrico innamorato, un servitore della donna secondo la tradizione dell’amore cortese, colpito dal dardo d’amore, che auspica di poter avere presto con sè la sua amata; le restanti otto sono in lingua inglese e trattano argomenti pragmatici riguardo la politica del regno, anche se il tono del re è comunque dolce. Completano la raccolta due lettere scritte da Anna al cardinale Wolsey, una delle quali reca un post scriptum di Enrico. La lettura prosegue con l’ultima lettera di Anna al marito redatta durante la prigionia. Lettera dalla dubbia autenticità, mai giunta tra le mani di Enrico, che sarebbe stata ritrovata tra le carte di Thomas Cromwell. Chiude la raccolta una lettera, in lingua inglese, scritta da Enrico all’amata Jane Seymour quando egli era ancora sposato con Anna. Nella lettera si legge di un uomo innamorato che auspica di poter presto congiungersi con la sua donna e per questo ricorda quelle indirizzate alla Bolena.
Il volume si chiude con un saggio di Iolanda Plescia che sviluppa tematiche storico – filologiche riguardo il ritrovamento e la pubblicazione delle lettere.
In questo “gioco storico” il lettore non resta in disparte. Egli legge con vivace interesse le epistole scoprendo il lato romantico di un personaggio austero, severo e un pò “Barbablù” quale è la figura di Enrico VIII che la tradizione tramanda sino a noi.
October 9, 2016
This is a neat little read for anyone interested in Tudor England, but the letters are all very short and sound like any love sick puppy. There's nothing nuanced in there at all about the court or about politics, basically just Henry's 'unending' love and desire to get under Anne's skirts. If you're super interested in the time period this is a fine way to spend 30 minutes but if not just pass, your 16 year old boyfriend sent you the same kind of love notes.
April 14, 2018
Super cool to be able to read what was basically royal mail at home. To read the letters Anne read herself and the 2 letters of Anne’s that she wrote and to wonder what was going through her infamous head while reading/composing these. Phenomenal.
February 15, 2017
Beautiful words. Too bad he ended up sending her to the scaffold.
September 15, 2020
Die Besessenheit von King Henry VIII zu Anne Boleyn ist allseits bekannt. Hat er doch ihrerwegen die Scheinung seiner ersten Frau (die Ex seines verstorbenen Bruders und ehemaligen Königs) durchgezogen und sich sogar mit dem Papst angelegt.
Während seiner Umwerbung hat er Anne Briefe geschrieben und diese sind in diversen Büchern festgehalten. Aufgrund meiner Neugierde und eines Beitrages für Louise Bourbon, habe ich mir im März einige Bücher über Anne Boleyn gekauft und dieses hier innerhalb weniger Stunden gelesen.
Geschrieben hat es daher der König selbst. Zumindest ist das die Überlieferung. In den Briefen geht es viel um Gefühle, aber auch um Erwartungen und Geschenke.
Bevor ich die Briefe gelesen hatte, hörte ich viel darüber. Sie sind auch gut, so ist es nicht – natürlich sind sie gut, der König hat sie geschrieben. Aber man spürt auch den Frust innerhallb der Zeilen. Den Frust, weil die Scheindung so lange gedauert hat. Weil sich bestimmte Personen ständig eingemischt haben. Personen, die später für die Untergang von Anne verantwortlich waren.
Was wohl aus deren Liebe geworden wäre, wenn sie nicht so stark beeinflusst gewesen wären oder ganz verrückte Vorstellung: stellt euch vor, Henry und Anne wären völlig normale Menschen gewesen. Ohne Adelstitel oder Krone. Wie hätte ihre Liebe geendet? Mit sie lebten glücklich bis ans Ende ihrer Tage?
Wir werden es nie erfahren.
Sie hatten nicht viel Zeit miteinder.
Ich werde euch an einer anderen Stelle mehr erzählen. Aber nun beende ich dies hier.
Ihre Liebe währte nicht lange, aber die Verliebtheit dauerte umso länger an. Henry VIII gab sich sehr viel Mühe und das merkt man tatsächlich in diesen englischen Texten.
Aus ihrer Liebe ist im Übrigen Königin Elizabeth I entsprungen.
**
Und nun … sagt mir bitte, dass das auf dem Cover Nicht Jonathan Rhys Meyers ist … Denn das Bild sieht verdammt nach ihm aus …
Während seiner Umwerbung hat er Anne Briefe geschrieben und diese sind in diversen Büchern festgehalten. Aufgrund meiner Neugierde und eines Beitrages für Louise Bourbon, habe ich mir im März einige Bücher über Anne Boleyn gekauft und dieses hier innerhalb weniger Stunden gelesen.
Geschrieben hat es daher der König selbst. Zumindest ist das die Überlieferung. In den Briefen geht es viel um Gefühle, aber auch um Erwartungen und Geschenke.
Bevor ich die Briefe gelesen hatte, hörte ich viel darüber. Sie sind auch gut, so ist es nicht – natürlich sind sie gut, der König hat sie geschrieben. Aber man spürt auch den Frust innerhallb der Zeilen. Den Frust, weil die Scheindung so lange gedauert hat. Weil sich bestimmte Personen ständig eingemischt haben. Personen, die später für die Untergang von Anne verantwortlich waren.
Was wohl aus deren Liebe geworden wäre, wenn sie nicht so stark beeinflusst gewesen wären oder ganz verrückte Vorstellung: stellt euch vor, Henry und Anne wären völlig normale Menschen gewesen. Ohne Adelstitel oder Krone. Wie hätte ihre Liebe geendet? Mit sie lebten glücklich bis ans Ende ihrer Tage?
Wir werden es nie erfahren.
Sie hatten nicht viel Zeit miteinder.
Ich werde euch an einer anderen Stelle mehr erzählen. Aber nun beende ich dies hier.
Ihre Liebe währte nicht lange, aber die Verliebtheit dauerte umso länger an. Henry VIII gab sich sehr viel Mühe und das merkt man tatsächlich in diesen englischen Texten.
Aus ihrer Liebe ist im Übrigen Königin Elizabeth I entsprungen.
**
Und nun … sagt mir bitte, dass das auf dem Cover Nicht Jonathan Rhys Meyers ist … Denn das Bild sieht verdammt nach ihm aus …
December 8, 2023
Most fascinating read! The letters were written when Anne was removed from court but Henry was completely enamoured by her and most letters express longing for Anne to return. Some of the letters were written in French so that they wouldn’t be deciphered by the carrier. The last of the 18 letters is dated in 1528. If I didn’t know about what happened after, I’d be fully believing that Henry VIII was the most romantic king and he lived happily ever after with Anne Boleyn.
The letters exude such passion and sincerity that it is easy to forget this is the same wife that was nonsensically accused of high treason (adultery) and beheaded in 1536. (3 years after their marriage)
Henry VIII married her lady in waiting just a week later. It is unclear whether the false accusations were Henry’s doing or of a political enemy she made, Thomas Cromwell’s.
In any case, Shakespeare’s words ring true years before and after they were written - “men were deceivers ever; one foot in sea, one on shore, to one thing constant never”
I enjoyed reading this with a suspended judgment so 4/5
October 16, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this although I was disappointed that these letters are not dated. I'll have to research that myself because I'd like to know. I have read excerpts of them in other books I have read but reading them entire, in the order in which they were written, made them seem so real. Henry's mentioning of King Francis, of 'the legate', of Anne's father and brother, made all these historical personages feel immediate and personal. The description of this edition (I entered the ISBN number to be sure I had the same one) says there are detailed notes at the end but there are no notes at all. Also some footnotes translating the Latin passages would have been helpful but those too I will look up. It is so cute the way Henry signs the letters things like "H. no other A.B seek R." Very sweet and romantic. It's a shame he ended by having her decapitated.
July 16, 2020
I love the Tudor Dynasty
I have always been interested in the history of Henry Viii and all of his heirs and especially the poor wives he was a very changeable man and never ceased to amaze me at some of the things he did in his life. I loved reading the letters he wrote to Anne its easy to see he loved her but I believe he was in love with the idea of being Anne's husband. However, once they became man and wife the once strong opinionated woman he loved he didn't love so much after all. Its really sad for women back in these days all the torment they endured because of the lack of knowledge they had back then.
I have always been interested in the history of Henry Viii and all of his heirs and especially the poor wives he was a very changeable man and never ceased to amaze me at some of the things he did in his life. I loved reading the letters he wrote to Anne its easy to see he loved her but I believe he was in love with the idea of being Anne's husband. However, once they became man and wife the once strong opinionated woman he loved he didn't love so much after all. Its really sad for women back in these days all the torment they endured because of the lack of knowledge they had back then.
August 31, 2020
There is something very heart wrecking and gloomy about reading love letters of people. Imagine to be loved in a way that your mind wanders to find words that best describe you.
The little details are just pure, like how sometimes Henry signs off the letter as 'H (A B) R', keeping Anne's initials in between, like keeping her safe in between his arms. He ended letters by frequently saying 'written by the hands of him, that was, and forever shall be yours'. He calls himself a servant of her love. And I am just in awe, that a love of this kind existed.
The little details are just pure, like how sometimes Henry signs off the letter as 'H (A B) R', keeping Anne's initials in between, like keeping her safe in between his arms. He ended letters by frequently saying 'written by the hands of him, that was, and forever shall be yours'. He calls himself a servant of her love. And I am just in awe, that a love of this kind existed.
November 16, 2016
I found this book interesting because of the difference in the language. The author explains the meaning of certain things in these letters but I always wonder if words meant different things back then. I am so interested in life and times of the Tudor Dynasty I find myself looking for any movies, and or books that talk about the life and times of King Henry VIII and his family.
July 26, 2017
Interesting but not a good read on kindle
It doesn't fit the kindle properly and you need to zoom in to read it then click out to turn page and so forth. I found the letters interesting and moving but because of the issue with kindle did not enjoy reading it as much as I would have.
It doesn't fit the kindle properly and you need to zoom in to read it then click out to turn page and so forth. I found the letters interesting and moving but because of the issue with kindle did not enjoy reading it as much as I would have.
December 12, 2020
Currently watching the tudors and naturally had to pause the show to look up the real letters written by Henry VIII :-) also really amazing to look at the actual high-quality digitised scans of his letters online- I only wish Anne’s replies hadn’t been lost!
March 16, 2021
"No more to you at this present, mine own darling, for lack of time, but that I would you were in mine arms, or I in yours, for I think it long since I kissed you."
"I hope soon to see you again, which will be to me a greater comfort than all the precious jewels in the world."
"I hope soon to see you again, which will be to me a greater comfort than all the precious jewels in the world."
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