You know all about star-crossed lovers, don't you? You've heard of Romeo and Juliet. You've heard of Jack and Rose. You know all about Bella and Edward. All couples who are kept apart by warring families, different social statuses, natural disasters, and even life and undead-ness.
On this day in 1536, Anne Boleyn second wife of King Henry VIII of England was beheaded by her husband. Not exactly romantic, right? Most people would agree. It had only been a few years since Henry had split with the Catholic church and started his own religion The Church of England so that he could divorce his first wife Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne (who refused to become his mistress, she would only be his queen). That's a little more romantic, right? To some people, maybe. Other people through out history have hated on Anne Boleyn for being a home wreaker, but she ended up just being the first in a long line of ill-fated women to marry Henry VIII-- all in his pursuit to have a male heir to become king when he died. *spoiler alert* He never had a legitimate son and his daughters would go on to rule England--most famously, the daughter he had with Anne Boleyn became Queen Elizabeth I. She's kinda famous.
If you're as intrigued by this crazy family (and there's even more crazy I haven't gone into!) and the time period they lived in, here are a few books you might enjoy:
YA books
Doomed Queen Anne by Caroline Meyer
Beware, Princess Elizabeth by Caroline Meyer
Nine Days a Queen: The Short Life and Reign of Lady Jane Grey by Ann Rinaldi
Adult Fiction (that I read as a YA)
The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell
Non-fiction
Anne Boleyn by Norah Lofts
On this day in 1536, Anne Boleyn second wife of King Henry VIII of England was beheaded by her husband. Not exactly romantic, right? Most people would agree. It had only been a few years since Henry had split with the Catholic church and started his own religion The Church of England so that he could divorce his first wife Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne (who refused to become his mistress, she would only be his queen). That's a little more romantic, right? To some people, maybe. Other people through out history have hated on Anne Boleyn for being a home wreaker, but she ended up just being the first in a long line of ill-fated women to marry Henry VIII-- all in his pursuit to have a male heir to become king when he died. *spoiler alert* He never had a legitimate son and his daughters would go on to rule England--most famously, the daughter he had with Anne Boleyn became Queen Elizabeth I. She's kinda famous.
If you're as intrigued by this crazy family (and there's even more crazy I haven't gone into!) and the time period they lived in, here are a few books you might enjoy:
YA books
Doomed Queen Anne by Caroline Meyer
Beware, Princess Elizabeth by Caroline Meyer
Nine Days a Queen: The Short Life and Reign of Lady Jane Grey by Ann Rinaldi
Adult Fiction (that I read as a YA)
The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell
Non-fiction
Anne Boleyn by Norah Lofts
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