Okay, I know this is a wide swing away from my usual paranormal stuff, but I am FASCINATED with anything related to the Tudors. Seriously, do not ask how many times I've watched and rewatched the series, "The Tudors." Historically accurate, it ain't (Princess Mary not Margaret married the King of France, not Portugal and then married Charles Brandon much to the chagrin of her brother, King Henry VIII), but I still loved the series. Also, Jonathan Rhys Meyers was handsome and brilliant as King Henry VIII, but we all know the actor looks nothing like the real-life king.

I've also read and reread historically-based (non-fiction) books on the Tudors and historical-fiction about the Tudors. It's been my current series watching and book reading binge for the last month as happens at least once a year when I set aside all other reading and become engrossed in Tudor drama. My book shelves are overflowing with Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, Sandra Byrd, and more.

There is a wide array of opinions of just how guilty Anne Boleyn really was and what exactly she was guilty of.

Will we ever truly know? No. Unless we can get Chip Coffey or Cindy Kaza to speak with Queen Anne's spirit, then... NO.

My PERSONAL opinion... besides Henry being a spoiled brat tyrant who should've stayed with Queen Katherine of Aragon and kept his breeches up... is that NO. Anne Boleyn was not guilty of all that she was charged with, especially that nasty allegation about her brother. The poor woman lost her head for no reason other than the king wanted to be done with her because she did not deliver on her promise for a male heir to the throne.

But she was guilty of something else.

Did Anne have a choice in the matter when it came to seducing King Henry VIII away from his true wife? Most likely, not. Her uncle and father were to blame for that all due to courtly ambition. So I won't lay that entirely at her feet. But I do think she did it out of revenge and spite.

Hear me out. I know there are so many differing opinions on the subject I won't hash them all out here. It's just my humble opinion. Of which, we will never know the full truth.

Anne was in love with Henry Percy of Northumberland. They were supposedly betrothed but didn't tell anyone because 1) they didn't get it approved by the king first, and 2) Anne was not high enough up the social ladder for it to be a "worthy" marriage for the future Earl. Once word got out, all he!! broke out and the all-powerful Cardinal Wolsey put a quick and brutal end to Anne's hopes of matrimonial bliss. He even called her a "silly girl" which added insult to injury so the dark-eyed lady fueled the hatred and hurt in her heart. When the opportunity arose to stick it to Wolsey, she took it and smashed him to pieces by turning his beloved king against him. Revenge was (imho) the primary motivator (after being shoved into the role by her father and uncle to win them favor with the king).

Anne saw how her own sister had been so unfairly treated as the king's mistress (Mary, otherwise known as "The Other Boleyn Girl" in the Philippa Gregory novel; and known during the time period as The Great Whore, not very flattering) and vowed not to have anything like that happen to her. So if Anne was going to play the game, she was going to play for keeps. That meant one thing - marriage to the king or nothing, making her queen no matter the costs.

While I suspect Anne respected Katherine of Aragon early on, when Anne set her eyes on the crown, it was respect be damned. Katherine and her daughter, Mary, became obstacles to her prize. As the king's "great matter" dragged on for years waiting on a ruling to dissolve his marriage to Katherine, Anne may have become impatient and bitter toward her rival. Anne demanded to be treated and respected as queen long before the final pronouncement of the subject. And there could not be TWO QUEENS!

Do I think Anne had Katherine of Aragon poisoned as many believed? No, but I wouldn't put it past her supporters, primarily her family.

Do I think Anne had Bishop Fisher and others who were against her poisoned? While I don't think she did so directly, again I wouldn't put it past her family or if someone overheard her make a flippant comment and decided to fulfill the request for her.

Did Anne poison her stepdaughter, Mary as the child was often ill and rumors swirled Anne had ordered someone in the household to do away with the child who threatened her daughter's succession? Again, no, I don't believe so. Mary could've simply been of a sickly disposition especially with all the stress she endured and being cruelly separated from her mother.

As to the affairs for which she was found guilty... NO. I don't believe someone as smart as Anne Boleyn would have ever risked so much as a glance at another man.

AND, that sums up my opinion on the Anne Boleyn matter. Again, my opinion. I am no expert. I just read a lot.

What's your opinion on the matter? Please let me know.

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QUESTION:

Would you be interested in a paranormal romance story set in Tudor times? I've been considering writing one for years. Reply to this email and let me know what you think.

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Also, if you have a historical fiction manuscript (especially if it has anything to do with the Tudors or the War of the Roses or anything in that trope) and need any editing or simply a manuscript evaluation, please, please, pretty please consider me! I'd love to read your book and help you turn it into a masterpiece.

If interested, reply to this email or visit my website at bookmageediting.com