c. 1501 or 1507 - 19 May 1536
House: Boleyn, Howard
Titles: Queen consort of England, Marquess of Pembroke
Anne Boleyn, born in Blickling Hall, Norfolk, England, was the daughter of Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire, and Elizabeth Howard. Her education took place in the Netherlands and France, where she served as a maid of honour to Queen Claude of France. Anne’s early return to England was for a planned marriage to James Butler, which was eventually called off. She later joined the English court as maid of honour to Catherine of Aragon. Anne’s secret betrothal to Henry Percy ended when his father and Cardinal Thomas Wolsey refused it. She was sent home to Hever Castle but by 1526, King Henry VIII pursued her, leading to their marriage and her coronation as Queen of England. Anne gave birth to Elizabeth I but suffered subsequent miscarriages. Charged with treason, she was executed by beheading in 1536.
Death: Died at the age of either 29 or 35, executed by beheading. Buried in the Church of St Peter ad Vincula, Tower of London.
Reign: 3 years and 119 days
Children: 1 legitimate: Elizabeth I
Marriages: Henry VIII of England (m. 1533; ann. 1536)