Fierce, Feisty Women: Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I, part 2 (episode 20)

In early September 1533, Anne Boleyn was supposed to be getting
ready to give the King a son. The birth of a son would justify
the actions Henry VIII had taken—setting aside his first wife,
going against the wishes of most of his ministers, breaking with
the Pope, and establishing himself as Supreme Head of the Church
of England. Henry believed God would reward these actions by
giving him the son he had wished for since he came to the throne
almost 25 years previously.

It seemed God had other plans.

Anne must have realized in that moment that, however she doted on
and showered gifts on her little girl, she had failed in her
quest to give the King a son. Mother and daughter faced
incredible challenges the day Elizabeth was born. Their
determination, as well as the fierce and feisty natures they
possessed, would guide them through challenges and take them to
very different ends.

Mother and daughter lived in different times and played different
roles. But their decisions seem connected to me in this way: they
made their own way in the world, defying expectations and
claiming their power in the ways they could. In Anne Boleyn’s
case, it meant holding out for marriage. In Elizabeth’s case, it
meant holding out against marriage. In both cases, it meant
holding out, and holding on to an inner power and control. Anne
Boleyn lost her life because her husband ultimately held the
power. Elizabeth was the longest-reigning Tudor and oldest
monarch when she died. Perhaps not having a husband was part of
that outcome.


History shows us what's possible.