Hey, this is Heather from the Renaissance English History Podcast, and this is your Tudor Minute for April 27.
Today in 1536 things started heading downhill very quickly for Anne Boleyn. Archbishop Cranmer, and other clergy and nobles were summoned to London for a Parliament in June, for what most historians believe was going to be the question of Henry putting aside Anne Boleyn. Of course Anne would already have been dead by that point, but it likely shows that no one knew at this point what exactly was going to happen with Anne – just that she needed to go.
Also, on this day, John Stokesley, Bishop of London, was consulted for advice regarding whether the King could end his marriage to Anne Boleyn. Eustace Chapuys, the Imperial Ambassador, wrote to Charles V:
“The brother of lord Montague told me yesterday at dinner that the day before the bishop of London had been asked if the King could abandon the said concubine, and he would not give any opinion to anyone but the King himself, and before doing so he would like to know the King’s own inclination, meaning to intimate that the King might leave the said concubine, but that, knowing his fickleness, he would not put himself in danger. The said Bishop was the principal cause and instrument of the first divorce, of which he heartily repents, and would still more gladly promote this, the said concubine and all her race are such abominable Lutherans. London, 29 April 1536.”
That’s your Tudor Minute for today. Remember you can dive deeper into life in 16th century England through the Renaissance English History Podcast at englandcast.com.
Links:
We’re starting to follow Anne’s downfall on the Watching the Tudors Podcast – here’s a recent episode:
Watching The Tudors: Season 2 Episode 8 – Lady in Waiting