1532-1535 Marriage and Coronation of Anne Boleyn

On 1st September 1532 Anne Boleyn (age 31) was created 1st Marchioness Pembroke with Henry VIII (age 41) performing the investiture at Windsor Castle [Map]. The Letter of Creation [Harley 303.1; see image] using the Latin 'marchionisse Penbrochie' i.e. "Marchioness of Pembroke". It isn't clear whether the Letter of Creation is a single page - we note the absence of any description of whether the title is to descend to her heir's, male, legitimate, otherwise. We also note the first letter contains Anne's emblem of a 'falcon on a stump' although Anne's falcon was white - age may have affected the colour of the Letter.

Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 55), Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 48), Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 59), Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 37), Jean Dinteville, Archbishop Edward Lee (age 50), Bishop John Stokesley (age 57) were present.

Bishop Stephen Gardiner (age 49) read the Patent of Creation.

Mary Howard Duchess Richmond and Somerset (age 13) carried Anne's train replacing her mother Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk (age 35) who had been banished from Court. Anne and Mary were cousins.

Charles Wriothesley (age 24) attended.

Jean Dinteville: he was appointed Ambassador to England. Around 1532 Jean Dinteville posed for Holbein's painting The Ambassadors.

Archbishop Edward Lee: Around 1482 he was born to Richard Lee of Lee Magna. In 1531 he was appointed Archbishop of York. On 13th September 1544 he died.

Charles Wriothesley: On 8th May 1508 he was born to Thomas Wriothesley. After 24th November 1534 he was appointed Windsor Herald of Arms in Ordinary. On 25th January 1562 Charles Wriothesley died.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1532. 1st September 1532. 1274. Anne Boleyn (age 31). Creation as marchioness of Pembroke, and grants of land, annuities, &c. See Grants in September, Nos. 1—3.

2. "The true order of the ceremony of the creacion of the marchioness of Pembroke." Directions for the ceremony, which exactly correspond with the account which follows. Copy, temp. Jac. I., p. 1.

3. "Creacion of lady Anne, doughter to therle of Wilteshier, marquesse of Penbroke."

Sunday, 1 Sept. 1532, 24 Hen. VIII. The lady was conveyed by noblemen and the officers of arms at Windsor Castle to the King, who was accompanied by the dukes of Norfolk (age 59) and Suffolk (age 48) and other noblemen, and the ambassador of France. Mr. Garter bore her patent of creation; and lady Mary (age 13), daughter to the duke of Norfolk, her mantle of crimson velvet, furred with ermines, and a coronet. The lady Marques, who was "in her hair," and dressed in a surcoat of crimson velvet, furred with ermines, with strait sleeves, was led by Elizabeth countess of Rutland (age 37)¹, and Dorothy countess of Sussex². While she kneeled before the King, Garter delivered her patent, which was read by the bishop of Winchester (age 49). The King (age 41) invested her with the mantle and coronet, and gave her two patents,—one of her creation, the other of £1,000 a year. She thanked the King, and returned to her chamber.

Gifts given by the lady Marques:—To Mr. Garter, for her apparel, £8; to the Office of Arms, £11. 13s. 4d. The King gave them £5.

Officers of Arms present:—Garter and Clarencieux, kings; Richmond, Carlisle, and Windsor, heralds; Rougecross, Portcullis, Bluemantle, and Guisnes, pursuivants.

P. 2.

5. Commission to Geo. Taylor, John Smith, and Wm. Brabzon, commissioners of the marchioness of Pembroke, to take possession of the lands granted to her.

Copy, p. 1.

6. Valuation of her lands.

Total of the lands of the lady Anne marchioness in Wales, over and above casualties not charged, £710 7s 10¾d, out of which she is charged to pay by the King's grants yearly, £199 5s 11d, "which the tallage or knowledge money will discharge for the time; and after that, the fines for the sessions and the customs which be not charged in the value will discharge them."

Sum of the lands in England: Corry Mallett, Soms., Hundesdon, and Estwyke, Herts, "lands late Philip Pary's, in Hundesdon," manors of Stansted, Roydon, Fylollyshall, and Cokkeshall, and Weston next Baldoke (value of each stated separately), 313l. 5s. 3¾d. Total for England and Wales by the last gift of the King, £1,023 13s 2¾d.

P. 1.

Note 1. Elizabeth appears to be a mistake for Eleanor.

Note 2. The Countess of Sussex at this time was Margaret Stanley Countess Sussex. The only Countess named Dorothy at this time was Dorothy Howard Countess Derby (age 21). Dorothy Neville Countess of Oxford did not marry, and become a Countess until 1536.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1532. Grants in Sep 1532.

1. Anne Rocheford (Anne Boleyn (age 31)), one of the daughters of Thomas earl of Wiltshire and Ormond (age 55), keeper of the Privy Seal. Charter, granting her, in tail male, the title of marchioness of Pembroke. Witnesses not given [1 Sept.].— S.B. Pat. 24 Hen. VIII. p. 1, m. 26.

(2.) Two drafts of the preceding in R. O. in Wriothesley's hand, with witnesses as in the next charter.

2. Anne Rocheford, who was created marchioness of Pembroke on the 1st Sept. inst. Charter granting her and her heirs the prerogative and pre-eminence due to her title of marchioness in the realms of England and France. Witnesses: Edward archbp. of York; Stephen bp. of Winchester, the King's secretary; John bp. of London; Thomas duke of Norfolk (age 59), treasurer of England; Charles duke of Suffolk (age 48), steward marshal; Thomas earl of Wiltshire, keeper of the Privy Seal; John earl of Oxford (age 61), the King's chamberlain; George earl of Shrewsbury (age 64), steward of the King's household; Thomas Audeley (age 44), knt., keeper of the Great Seal; William lord Sandys of Vynes (age 62), chamberlain of the King's household; Walter Devereux lord Ferrers; William Fitzwilliam, treasurer of the King's household, and William Powlet, comptroller of the same, knts., and others. Windsor, 1 Sept. 24 Hen. VIII. — S.B. Pat. p. 1, m. 26.

(2.) Draft of the preceding in Wriothesley's hand in R. O.

3. Anne Rocheford, one of the daughters and heirs of Thomas earl of Wiltshire and Ormond, keeper of the Privy Seal, created marchioness of Pembroke by charter 1 Sept. 24 Hen. VIII. Annuity of £1,000. for life out of the issues of the honor, manor, or lordship of Hunnesdon, Herts, and of the manors of Stansted Abbot, Roydon, Bourehouse, Pisso, Filolls, and Coxhall, Herts and Essex; and of all Crown lands in co. Pembroke, and in Gilgarran, Emlyn, Diffrynbryan, Maynardove, Kenendrym, Llanstephan, Penryn, Oyesterlowe, Traynclynton, Westhaverforde, Llewelleston, Roche, Sayntismells, and Camrosse, S. Wales.— S B. (undated.) Pat. 24 Hen. VIII. p. 1, m. 25 (undated).

(2.) Fair copy of the preceding in R. O. Large paper, pp. 2.

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. 1st September 1535. The King being in progress this summer, was advertised that the Pope and the French King, had appointed to meet at Marseilles in Provence, in the beginning of the next spring, wherefore the King like a wise and politic prince, thought it convenient to speak with the French King in his own person, before the Pope and he should come together, and to declare to him both the determination, of the Universities and Doctors concerning his matrimony, and also the general counsels, which ordained such causes, to be tried in the provinces and countries, where the doubt should rise, trusting that the French King should cause the Pope to incline to God's law, and to leave his own traditions and avoid dispensations, whereupon both the princes concluded, to meet in October following, between Calais and Boulogne. Wherefore the King of England sent out his letters, to his nobility, prelates, and servants, commanding them to be ready at Canterbury, the 26th day of September, to passe the Seas with him, for the accomplishing of the interview, between him and his brother the Frenche King. Many men were sorry to hear, that the King should pass the sea in winter, and especially in October, when the seas be rough, but their sayings letted not his purpose: for he marched forward from Ampthill to Windsor, where on Sunday being the first day of September, he created the lady Anne Boleyn (age 34), Marchioness of Pembroke, and gave to her one thousand pound land by the year, and that solemnity finished, he rode to the College to Masse, and when the Masse was ended, a new league was concluded and sworn, between the King and the French King, Monsieur Pomoray the French Ambassador then being present. After which oath taken, Doctor Fox the King's almoner, made an eloquent oration in Latin, in praise of peace, love, and amity. Which done the trumpets blew, and the King returned to the Castle, where was kept a solemn feast. From thence the King removed to Greenwich, and so forward to Canterbury, where at the day appointed, he found ready furnished, all such as were commanded to pass the sea with him, well and richly adorned, both they and their servants.

Calendar of State Papers of Spain. 15th April 1533. 1061. Eustace Chapuys (age 43) to the Emperor (age 33).

On Wednesday the said Duke (age 60), and the others of whom I wrote to Your Majesty in my last despatch, called upon the Queen (age 47) and delivered their message, which was in substance as follows: "She was to renounce her title of Queen, and allow her case to be decided here, in England. If she did, she would confer a great boon on the kingdom and prevent much effusion of blood, and besides the King (age 41) would treat her in future much better than she could possibly expect." Perceiving that there was no chance of the Queen's agreeing to such terms, the deputies further told her that they came in the King's name to inform her that resistance was useless (quelle se rompist plus la teste), since his marriage with the other Lady had been effected more than two months ago in the presence of several persons, without any one of them having been summoned for that purpose. Upon which, with much bowing and ceremony, and many excuses for having in obedience to the king's commands fulfilled so disagreeable a duty, the deputies withdrew. After whose departure the lord Mountjoy (age 55), the Queen's chamberlain, came to notify to her the King's intention that in future she should not be called Queen, and that from one month after Easter the King would no longer provide for her personal expenses or the wages of her servants. He intended her to retire to some private house of her own, and there live on the small allowance assigned to her, and which, I am told, will scarcely be sufficient to cover the expenses of her household for the first quarter of next year. The Queen resolutely said that as long as she lived she would entitle herself Queen; as to keeping house herself, she cared not to begin that duty so late in life. If the King thought that her expenses were too great, he might, if he chose, take her own personal property and place her wherever he chose, with a confessor, a physician, an apothecary, and two maids for the service of her chamber; if that even seemed too much to ask, and there was nothing left for her and her servants to live upon, she would willingly go about the world begging alms for the love of God.

Though the King is by nature kind and generously inclined, this Anne has so perverted him that he does not seem the same man. It is, therefore, to be feared that unless Your Majesty applies a prompt remedy to this evil, the Lady (age 32) will not relent in her persecution until she actually finishes with Queen Catharine, as she did once with cardinal Wolsey, whom she did not hate half as much. The Queen, however, is not afraid for herself; what she cares most for is the Princess (age 17).

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1533. [23rd May 1533]. R. O. Rym. XIV. 462. 529. The Divorce.

Notification of the sentence¹ of divorce between Hen. VIII. and Katharine of Arragon pronounced by archbishop Cranmer. Dated in the monastery of Dunstable, 23 May 1533. Present, Gervase prior of the said monastery, Simon Haynes, S.T.P., John Newman, M.A., and others.

Two copies; one badly and the other slightly mutilated.

2. Part of the articles exhibited before Cranmer at Dunstable in favour of the divorce. Lat.

3. Proceedings of the court held before Cranmer at Dunstable, 10, 12, 16, 17, and 23 May. Copy, pp. 20.

4. Opinion touching Katharine's jointure. The matrimony between the King and the lady Katharine being dissolved by sufficient authority, all pactions made for the same marriage are also dissolved and of none effect. That ie, the jointure shall return again to the King's use, and the money paid to him by her friends shall be repaid to her.

The matrimony being dissolved, the lady Katharine shall return to the commodity and profits of the first matrimony, and the pactions of the same, made with prince Arthur, and shall enjoy the jointure assigned to her thereby, notwithstanding any quittance or renunciation made in the second pact. For as these renunciations were agreed unto for a sure trust and hope to enjoy the commodities and pactions of the second marriage, which now she cannot enjoy, unless without ult she should be deprived of both, equity and right restore her to the first. This, we think, by our poor learning, to be according both to canon and civil law, unless there are any other treaties and pactions which we have not seen.

For the more clear declaration hereof, we think that when a matrimony is dissolved, if there is no paction of a further bond, then by law the money paid by the woman or her friends shall be restored to her, and the jointure return to the man and his heirs. In this case there is an especial pact that she shall enjoy her jointure durante vita [i.e. during life], so that the said jointure is due to her by the pact, and the money paid by her and her friends by the law.

In Sampson's hand, pp.2. Endd.: A dissolution to be made of the matrimony of the lady Katharine, dowager, with the jointure thereto belonging, and restitution to the jointure had by prince Arthur.

Note 1. The sentence itself, as recited in the patent of 6 June (see Grants in June 1533, No. 7.), is printed both in Burnet and in Wilkins.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1533. 10 Sept [1533]. Vienna Archives. 1112. Chapuys (age 43) to Charles V.

Will not write at length, having only been informed of this courier at the moment of his departure; besides there is nothing important since his last. Has only to mention that on Sunday last, the eve of Our Lady (7 Sept.), about 3 p.m., the King's mistress (amie) [Queen Anne Boleyn of England (age 32)] was delivered of a daughter, to the great regret both of him and the lady, and to the great reproach of the physicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and sorceresses, who affirmed that it would be a male child. But the people are doubly glad that it is a daughter rather than a son, and delight to mock those who put faith in such divinations, and to see them so full of shame. The mayor, aldermen, masters of trades, and others of the city, are called to be present this afternoon at the christening. The French ambassadors are also summoned. The christening is to be at Greenwich. The godmothers are to be the mother-in-law of the duke of Norfolk and the marchioness of Exeter. The archbishop of Canterbury is to be godfather. The bishop of London is to officiate. She is to be called Mary, like the Princess; which title, I hear in many quarters, will be taken from the true princess and given to her. If it be so. Misfortune manages well; and God has forgotten him entirely, hardening him in his obstinacy to punish and ruin him; of which there is the greatest probability in the world, seeing the indignation of the people, both small and great, which grows every day, and nothing could better augment it than defrauding the said Princess of her title; for she is, as she ought to be, adored by everybody. But the said indignation, like other things, may grow cool in time, so that it should be used in season; yet I think it so rooted and so just that the people will not forget it, or change, at least the most part of them.

It is appointed for me to be at Court tomorrow morning with the King's Council to take resolution about the restitution of the goods seized by the Lubeckers from the Spaniards. London, 10 Sept. 1533.

Fr., from a modern copy, pp. 4.

Extracts from The Life of Anne Boleyn. [30th March 1534] And after this again, at the prorogation of the parliament, the thirtieth of March¹³, he had every lord, knight, and burgess sworn to an act of succession, and their names subscribed to a schedule fixed to the same statute, where it was enacted, that his daughter princess Elizabeth, he having none other heir male, should succeed him to the crown. And after were commissioners sent to all parts of the realm to take the like oath of all men and women in the land. Neither also were her virtues only enclosed in her own breast or shut up in her own person. She had procured to her chaplains¹⁴, men of great learning and of no less honest conversing, whom she with hers heard much, and privately she heard them willingly and gladly to admonish her, and them herself exhorted and encouraged so to do. Also at the first, she had in court drawn about her, to be attending on her, ladies¹⁵ of great honour, and yet of greater choice for reputation of virtue, undoubted witnesses of her spousal integrity, whom she trained upon with all commendations of well ordered government, though yet above all by her own example she shined above them all, as a torch that all might take light of, being itself still more bright. Those that have seen at Hampton Court the rich and exquisite works by her self, for the greater part wrought by her own hand and needle, and also of her ladies, esteem them the most precious furniture that are to be accounted amongst the most sumptuous that any prince may be possessed of. And yet far more rich and precious were those works in the sight of God which she caused her maids and those about her daily to work in shirts and smocks for the poor. But not staying here her eye of charity, her hand of bounty passed through the whole land; each place felt that heavenly flame burning in her; all times will remember it, no place leaving for vain flames, no times for idle thoughts. Her ordinary amounted to fifteen hundred pounds at the least, yearly, to be bestowed on the poor. Her provisions of stock for the poor in sundry needy parishes were very great. Out of her privy purse went not a little to like purposes. To Scholars in exhibition very much: so as in three quarters of a year her alms was summed to fourteen or fifteen thousand pounds.

Note 13. A. D. 1534.

Note 14. Shaxton and Latimer.

Note 15. To every one of these she gave a little book of devotions, neatly written on vellum, and bound in covers of solid gold enamelled, with a ring to each cover to hang it at their girdles for their constant use and meditation.

One of these little volumes, traditionally said to have been given by the queen when on the scaffold to her attendant, one of the Wyatt family, and preserved by them through several generations, was described by Vertue as being seen by him in the possession of Mr. George Wyatt of Charterhouse Square, in 1721. Vide Walpole's Miscellaneous Antiquities, printed at Strawberry Hill, 1772, No. II. p. 13. It was a diminutive volume, consisting of one hundred and four leaves of vellum, one and seven-eighths of an inch long by one and five-eights of an inch broad; containing a metrical version of parts of thirteen Psalms: and bound in pure gold richly chased, with a ring to append it to the neck-chain or girdle. It was in Mr. Triphook's possession in the year 1817.

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. This yere also, one Pauier town clerk of the City of London, hanged himself, which surely was a man, that in nowise could abide to here that the Gospel should be in English, and I myself heard him once say to me and other that were by, swearing a great oath, that if he thought the King's highness, would set forth the scripture in English, and let it be read of the people by his authority, rather then he would so long live he would cut his own throat, but he broke promises, for as you have heard he hanged himself: but of what mind and intent he so did, God judge. About this season was espied a new found Saint, and holy Hypocrite, called the Maid of Kent, which by the great labour, diligence, and pain taking of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Lord Cromwell, and one called Hugh Latimer a priest (which shortly after was made bishop of Worcester,) the juggling and crafty deceit of this maid, was manifested and brought to light: whereupon after diverse examinations, she with all her adherents, were in November brought to the Star Chamber: the names of them all shall follow, first Elizabeth Barton, which was she that called herself the Holy Maid of Kent, Richard Master priest person of Aldington in the County of Kent, Edward Bocking doctor in Divinity, Monk of Canterbury, Richarde Dering Monk also of Canterbury, Edward Twaites gentleman, Thomas Laurece register to the Archdeacon of Canterbury, Henry Gold person of Aldermary bachelor of Divinity, Hugh Riche Friar Observant, and Richard Risby, Thomas Gold gentleman. These all being in the Star Chamber, before diverse of the King's Counsel, confessed their feigned hypocrisy, and dissimulated sanctity, and traitorous purposes and intents, and then was there by the King's counsel adjudged, to stand at Paul's Crosse, where they with their own hands, should severally deliver each of them to the preacher that should be appointed, a bill declaring their subtle, crafty and superstitious doings. Which thing the next Sunday after, they all above rehearsed, standing on a stage at Paul's Cross, made for that purpose did accomplish: but for their treasons committed, the matter thereof was respited to the Parliament next following, where all they above said, with other as after ye shall hear, were attainted by Act of Parliament, and suffered death as traitors, by hanging, drawing, and quartering at Tyburn.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535. 14th January 1535. 48. Nothing is known about news from Ireland, except that about three days ago Cromwell delivered a good sum of money to two Irishmen, and said to some who were present that they had already taken one of the principal of those who had caused trouble there, and that Kildare would be taken and brought hither in a few days. Cromwell also mentioned that the king of France was raising lanceknights about Lorraine and the county of Montbeliard. Kildare has long been threatened, and will take as good care of himself as hitherto. It is true many fear that his men may betray him if he has not money to maintain them. I am told by a good man that about 60 English harquebusiers had entered some tower, but were surprised and driven out by Kildare, leaving their arms behind. I hear the King and Council are much disappointed at hearing nothing from France on the subject of the negotiations between the King and the Admiral (age 43), and they fear some intelligence with your Majesty. The King hopes that at an interview with Francis, which he reckons will be very soon, he will break off all other understandings. And to persuade Francis the better to this assembly, in order that he may not excuse himself, as last year, I am told that the King has come to no determination on any of the matters proposed by the Admiral, but put off his answer till the meeting. That was the answer given (among other things) as to the marriage of this princess with the duke of Angouleme; which the Admiral, I am told, took very ill; and still worse what occurred at the feast the King gave him on the eve of his departure, when he, being seated next the Lady (age 34), while they were dancing, she burst into a fit of incontrollable laughter without any occasion. The Admiral frowned, and said, "What, madam, do you laugh at me?" On which she excused herself by saying it was because the King had told her he was going to ask for the Admiral's secretary to amuse her, and that the King had met on the way a lady who made him forget the matter. I don't know if the excuse was accepted as satisfactory. The King, on the other hand, and the Lady were much disappointed that the Admiral showed no pleasure at any attention that was shown to him, even at the Tower of London and the Ordnance.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. And the 4th day of May [1535] followinge, being Tewsday in the Rogation week, the parties aforesayde were drawne from the Tower to Tybome [Map], and there had execution as afore is written, savinge the other priest called Jo. Ferne, who had his pardon delyvered him on the Tower Hill, and so was quitt.

Note a. It was with the full approral of his Council that Henry VIII took the resolution of executing the laws without mercy against such as impugned his spiritual authority.

Note b. Thomas Laurence, Prior of Hexham. — Stow.

Note c. Augustine Webster, Prior of "Bevall."— Stow.

Note d. Richard Reginalds, doctor, a monk of Sion.— Stow.

Note e. John Haile, Vicar of Isleworth.

Note f. Their heads and quarters were set on the gates of the City all sare one quarter, which was set on the Charterhouse at London.-Stow.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535. 5th May 1535. 666. The enormity of the case, and the confirmation it gives of the hopelessness of expecting the King to repent, compels me to write to your Majesty that yesterday there were dragged through the length of this city three Carthusians and a Bridgettine monk, all men of good character and learning, and cruelly put to death at the place of execution, only for having maintained that the Pope was the true Head of the universal Church, and that the King had no right in reason or conscience to usurp the sovereign authority over the clergy of this country. This they had declared to Cromwell, of their free will, about three weeks ago, in discharge of their own consciences and that of the King; and on Cromwell pointing out the danger, and advising them to reconsider it before the matter went further, they replied they would rather die a hundred times than vary. Eight days ago the duke of Norfolk sat in judgment on them, as the King's representative, assisted by the Chancellor and Cromwell, and the ordinary judges of the realm, and the knights of the Garter who had been at the feast (solempnite) of St. George. The monks maintained their cause most virtuously. No one being able to conquer them in argument, they were at last told that the statute being passed they could not dispute it, and that if they would not alter their language they were remanded till next day to hear their sentence. Next day, in the same presence, they were strongly exhorted to recant, and after a long discussion they were sentenced by lay judges and declared guilty of treason. Nothing was said about degrading them, or changing their habits. And the same fate has overtaken a priest for having spoken and written concerning the life and government of this King. It is altogether a new thing that the dukes of Richmond and Norfolk, the earl of Wiltshire, his son, and other lords and courtiers, were present at the said execution, quite near the sufferers. People say that the King himself would have liked to see the butchery; which is very probable, seeing that nearly all the Court, even those of the Privy Chamber, were there— his principal chamberlain, Norres, bringing with him 40 horses; and it is thought that he was of the number of five who came thither accoutred and mounted like Borderers (accoustrez et monstez comme ceulx des frontieres descosse), who were armed secretly, with vizors (?) before their faces, of which that of the duke of Norfolk's brother got detached, which has caused a great stir (que esbranle grandemen laffairez), together with the fact that while the five thus habited (vestuz et bouchez) were speaking all those of the Court dislodged.