Anne Boleyn’s Letter from the Tower: A New Assessment by Sandra Vasoli Book Review

I do believe this is the fastest I’ve ever written a book review. This book came out on 14 September, and I’m currently writing this on the 17th. I finished this book in one evening. Yes, I admit it’s just 68 pages, and it’s probably more an essay than a book, but it’s also a topic that is close to my heart.

In the period that Anne Boleyn was confined to the Tower before she was convicted and executed Anne probably wrote to her husband. A letter survives, though we cannot know for sure if the letter is authentic. Sandra Vasoli argues for the authenticity of the letter, but I’m still on the fence about it. I’d like it to be true, but we’ll probably never know for sure. This is the full text of the letter:

Sir,

Your Grace’s displeasure and my imprisonment are things so strange unto me, that what to write, or what to excuse, I am altogether ignorant. Whereas you send unto me (willing me to confess a truth and so obtain your favour), by such a one, whom you know to be mine ancient professed enemy, I no sooner received this message by him, than I rightly conceived your meaning; and if, as you say, confessing a truth indeed may procure my safety, I shall with all willingness and duty, perform your duty. But let not Your Grace ever imagine that your poor wife will be brought to acknowledge a fault, where not so much as a thought ever proceeded. And to speak a truth, never a prince had wife more loyal in all duty, and in all true affection, than you have ever found in Anne Bulen – with which name and place I could willingly have contented myself, if God and your grace’s pleasure had been so pleased. Neither did I at any time so far forget myself in my exaltation or received queenship, but that I always looked for such alteration as I now find; for the ground of my preferment being on no surer foundation than your Grace’s fancy, the least alteration was fit and sufficient (I knew) to draw that fancy to some other subject. 

You have chosen me from low estate to be your queen and companion, far beyond my desert or desire; if, then, you found me worthy of such honour, good your Grace, let not any light fancy or bad counsel of my enemies withdraw your princely favour from me; neither let that stain – that unworthy stain – of a disloyal heart towards your good grace ever cast so foul a blot on me, and on the infant princess your daughter. 

Try me, good King, but let me have a lawful trial, and let not my sworn enemies sit as my accusers and as my judges; yea, let me receive an open trial, for my truth shall fear no open shame. Then you shall see either my innocency cleared, your suspicions and conscience satisfied, the ignominy and slander of the world stopped, or my guilt openly declared. So that, whatever God and you may determine of, your Grace may be freed from an open censure; and my offense being so lawfully proved, your Grace may be at liberty, both before God and man, not only to execute worthy punishment on me as an unfaithful wife but to follow your affection already settled on that party for whose sake I am now as I am, whose name I could some while since have pointed unto – your Grace being not ignorant of my suspicions therein. 

But if you have already determined of me, and that not only my death, but an infamous slander must bring your the joying of your desired happiness, then I desire of God that He will pardon your great sin herein, and likewise my enemies, the instruments thereof; and that He will not call you to a strait account for your unprincely and cruel usage of me at His general judgment seat, where both you and myself must shortly appear; and in whose just judgment, I doubt not (whatsoever the world may think of me), mine innocency shall be openly known and sufficiently cleared. 

My last and only request shall be, that myself only bear the burden of your Grace’s displeasure, and that it may not touch the innocent souls of those poor gentlemen, whom, as I understand, are likewise in strait imprisonment for my sake. If ever I have found favour in your sight – if ever the name of Anne Bulen have been pleasing in your ears – then let me obtain this request; and so I will leave to trouble your grace any further, with mine earnest prayer to the Trinity to have your grace in his good keeping, and to direct you in all your actions. 

From my doleful prison in the Tower, the 6th May.

Your most loyal and ever-faithful wife,

Anne Bulen

Sandra has certainly done her research and reading about her experiences holding the original documents makes you feel like you’re there with her. She also makes a discovery about Henry’s true feelings about Anne’s fate, which I must say surprised me.  You’ll have to decide for yourself if you believe the letter is authentic and Sandra is excellent at taking you through the pros and cons.

The E-book is not expensive at all, and I highly recommend it for all Tudor enthusiasts. (UK & US)