Blood Royal
Blood Royal was written by Mollie Hardwick in 1988. It is about the rise and fall of the Boleyn family. It traces the steps of Thomas and Elizabeth's children: Mary, George, and Anne from their barely lived childhood through the time they are thrust into the world of politics and greed.
Thomas Boleyn's desire is to climb politically to King Henry VIII's side and he uses his children to help establish himself there, pushing each of them and his unborn grandchildren to their sad fate. The book is about a proud, strong family who falls as quickly as they rose.
Mary was the oldest daughter. She had all the features she would need to acquire a good marriage. Thomas Boleyn favored Mary over Anne, (an ugly child with an extra finger and long neck, who fought for life with her mother at her birth). Mary fell into disfavor with her father by being seduced at the French Court. Trying to please the French King and her father, she became known as the "English Mare". She was eventually King Henry VIII's mistress. She became pregnant and he still had interest in her until she bore a daughter, Catherine. In time she wed a knight whom she loved very much.
Anne never failed her father. She knew French to perfection, with the accent. She would also bring a good marriage, one beyond her father’s dreams, to King Henry VIII. It is funny to find that Anne fell out of favor and was sent away from court(before her marriage to Henry)until the King wished her to return. Anne's anger grew and when she was being courted by Henry she said she would not marry him. Of course, in time she did.
Another point of interest is a man named Tom Wyatt. Perhaps noone, but Anne knew of his great devotion and love for her. His narrative is truly a heart-breaking one. He wrote poetry to her and first loved her when he was only a boy, a love that would never die.
You know of Queen Anne's short rein, but she had power while she was in Henry's eye. Her family’s downfall because of a man's whim, a King's whim, is sad. The Boleyn family climbed so high and fell so far.
Queen Anne was accused of having an incestuous relationship with her brother George, and accused of treason as well. Both she and George denied this and were strong. Many people spoke on their behalf, but to no avail. Queen Anne mounted the steps alone, extremely fearful, but nobody would recall seeing her tremble. The headsman's assistant rustled some straw, distracting her, and the sword came down. Her beauty and bravery charmed even the headsman who would not say anything against her and gently laid her head down. They say Queen Anne's blood still stains the ground where she was beheaded.
George was to be quartered and hung. It was a very unfitting death for another innocent victim of Henry's desires. Thomas Boleyn had scurried home after he could not help his son and daughter. His wife was very bitter toward him. He died almost one year later, lonely, bitter and disappointed. Mary held his hand between her own.
Elizabeth had gone on living her life when many would not have. She had secretly seen her granddaughter, all she had left of Anne. The little girl’s clothes were too small, and she lacked so much she should have had. Elizabeth was found among the grass later that day.
Mary was never the same after her own husband’s death. Most of her replies to people were not sensible. Mary Stafford died at 45 years, simply because her life was over.
A family of knights, mistresses, royalty, poverty, death, treachery, pride, ambition, strength; This was all just a part of what makes the great story of the great Boleyn family; Only a mere touch of a great people.
