PARDON ANNE BOLEYN!

Top 23. Apr 17, 2005 1:46 PM

» AnnaRegina - The movement to pardon Anne Boleyn

I have long been a believer that Anne Boleyn was innocent of the crimes she was accused of. Most historians now agree that many of the alleged incidents of adultery where impossible because either the Queen or the accused lover was not at the place when the alleged adultery took place, or the Queen was still in confinement either before or after the birth of a child, when no men were allowed in her presence.

Also, the "witnesses" to these crimes were either dead or could not or would not testify at the trial, and most of them were hostile to the Queen. Lady Rochford, the "witness" to Anne's alleged affair with her brother, could only say that she saw them kissing, allegedly with open mouths, and that they spend a great deal of time alone together in the Queen's private chambers. But it can hardly be thought unusual for a sister to want to spend some time alone with her brother, in one of the few places where they were likely to have some privacy.

Of course, there's the obvious fact that Anne was now a liability to both Henry and Thomas Cromwell... Henry felt Anne was unable to produce a son and was in love with Jane Seymour. Anne was also an obstacle in regards to foreign relations... although Katherine of Aragon's death softened Spain's resistance to her as Queen and even Chapyus, her harshest critic, seemed to make overtures of reconciliation with her. While Anne and Cromwell supported the reformation, Cromwell seemed to have a fatal row with her when they were at odds with how the spoils of the monasteries should be handled: Cromwell knew that Henry would prefer to keep the lands and monies for himself, where Anne wanted to give much of the money back to the people. Anne fought with Cromwell on this, and Cromwell decided she was too strong a political opponent to keep around, therefore it seems likely that he hatched a plot that would both rid Henry of her and make himself the sole political force in the King's court.

All but one of Anne's accused lovers denied any wrong-doing with the Queen (Mark Smeaton, as a commoner, is believed to have been tortured and therefore his admission of guilt is greatly suspect), and we must remember that most men and women believed at this time that to lie under oath was considered reason enough to spend eternity in hell after death... a sobering thought. As well, Norris was promised pardon by the King if he admitted his "guilt", but he refused, prefering to die a martyr than spend an eternity in hell.

Anne herself was not tried by her peers, was given no opportunity to seek legal aid, was not given any time to plan her case before the trial and was not given any warning as to the specifics of what she was being accused of. If she would have been given the "evidence" or documents that the prosecution brought forward in court, she would have been able to see through their weak case and properly acquit herself.

Also, adultery in of itself was not legal justification for her death, because adultery by or with the Queen was not treason by law at this time. Therefore, the charges of incest and the alleged plotting of King's death could only be considered treason at her trail, and neither of these were adequately proven. A simple jest that Norris wished to marry her and fill "dead men's shoes" is hardly proof of plotting to kill the King and the prosecution seems to have been unable to find any more "proof", which is noteworthy because Anne had many enemies at court and as Queen she had very few moments of privacy. It is a fact that Anne would have been surrounded by ladies of the court at almost all times and there were never any co-conspirators who aided her in her alleged adultery brought forward in her trial, as Lady Rochford was in the case of Kathryn Howard.

I strongly support the movement to pardon Anne Boleyn and hope that the British government will take this seriously enough to see that justice, almost 500 years too late, be done.

Sincerely,
Glenn Crawford, Ottawa, Canada

-- posted by AnnaRegina

Top 24. Apr 18, 2005 9:16 PM

» EOliv10333 - Re: A Pardon for Queen Anne Boleyn

I believe 100 per cent in the innocense of Queen Anne Boleyn. She was positively NOT GUILTY of any of the charges brought against her and deserves to be pardoned.

Thank you for bringing justice to the memory of this brave and noble woman. May she finally rest in peace.
Elizabeth

-- posted by EOliv10333

Top 25. Apr 25, 2005 6:23 AM

» georgiaboleyn - Re: Re: A Pardon for Queen Anne Boleyn

In response to Re: A Pardon for Queen Anne Boleyn posted by EOliv10333:

I agree... with everyone above. Anne Boleyn was faustly accused, and should be pardoned.

She deserves a pardon.

R.I.P anne boleyn

-- posted by georgiaboleyn

Top 26. Jun 17, 2005 2:30 PM

» anneisqueen - PARDON ANNE BOLEYN!

I would love to see Anne Boleyn's name cleared of all charges against her, or at the very least, a pardon. She deserves as much!

-- posted by anneisqueen

Top 27. Aug 20, 2005 10:08 PM

» beckybunsic - Pardon Anne Boleyn

I was so happy to find this petition as I truly believe that Queen Anne Boleyn deserves this pardon. I have read every book I can lay my hands on about her and the Tudor era in England. I will pray that the powers that be grant her this very deserved pardon and re-bury her mortal remains on consecrated ground. Thank you for letting me be a part of this.

-- posted by beckybunsic

Top 28. Sep 24, 2005 9:41 AM

» Romath - Regarding Queen Anne Boleyn

While I agree her name should be cleared, I cannot agree on the term 'PARDON'.. my reason for this is that to be 'pardoned' means you are actually guilty, but forgiven.

I don't believe Anne Boleyn was guilty of anything except wanting to become queen 'at any cost', as she was reputed to have declared.

I totally agree she was framed from the very outset when Hank was frustrated over the stillbirth of her last child, a son.

To think that her own uncle went along with those false charges against her, her brother George, Mark Smeaton, et al.... is horrendous, especially knowing all would be murdered simply to please the 'king'.

I've heard Anne's ghost has been seen numerous times at the Tower.
It would be wonderful if her spirit would be finally freed to rest in peace.
But to 'pardon' her, I believe is erroneous.
I believe the term that should be used is EXONERATED.

Old Hank is no doubt burning in Hell for his callous treatment of his numerous wives, in my opinion.... as are Cromwell, and Anne's uncle.

Thank you for this forum, and for the opportunity to say what I think about the late Queen Anne Boleyn. :o)

-- posted by Romath

Top 29. Oct 23, 2005 1:04 PM

» charmain - Pardon Anne Boleyn!

I have always been fascinated by this remarkable woman. She died so innocently and bravely. I would want to see her pardoned soon, so that her soul can find peace at last...

-- posted by charmain

Top 30. Oct 31, 2005 3:39 PM

» Gwenda - Re: Pardon Anne Boleyn!

In response to Pardon Anne Boleyn! posted by charmain:

Thank you all for speaking up for Anne. If people would like to add their voice too, from now on, please feel free to use this forum

-- posted by Gwenda

Top 31. Feb 27, 2006 10:53 AM

» Liluthien - Anne Boleyn

Surely none of you learned folks can ignore the fact of the hideously malformed child Anne gave birth to, nor the fact that her own sister, Mary, suspected that since Henry was unable to get a son off Anne, that Anne in her intense need and desire to give the king an heir or lose her place as queen, not only contemplated taking her brother George to her bed, but did indeed do such a thing. The hideous child was the result of the incestuous relationship. However, Anne was a pawn of her family and, therefore, can only carry some of the blame. But, pardon her, I think not. Not death, but exile would be a fit punishment.

-- posted by Liluthien