The first meeting of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
(From 1835 by Fine Art Images / Heritage Images via Getty Images)
Nestled away inside the splendour of Whitehall Palace, one of the many royal residencies of Henry VIII, was the Holbein Gate; a three-storey gatehouse that was erected in 1532 and embellished with a black-and-white design. What is the significance of this building?
It was here on the 25th of January 1533, that a secret wedding took place and not just any wedding but that of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. But is this really the first wedding to take place between them?
It’s speculated by many that a secret wedding had already commenced, just 3 months earlier on the 14th of November and according to chronicler Edward Hall, it’s evident that the couple were married by 1533. Today on this suggested anniversary, this blog will explore the theories surrounding November 14th as the supposed wedding day of Henry VIII, and his once beloved Anne.
25th January 1533. The most believed and known date to be the marriage ceremony between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. It was essential this wedding was in secrecy and secluded away from the public eye; Anne was not yet queen and still a “mistress” in many people’s views. Typically, a wedding at Whitehall Palace would have taken place in the lavish Ceremonial Rooms but on this occasion, it was not the case. Despite having the Pope’s permission to marry Anne, Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon was still undeclared as void. Yet it was crucial for Anne to have a husband; she was pregnant and a woman to have a child out of wedlock in sixteenth-century England was an absolute disgrace, even more so for a woman of nobility. Plus, the heir she was carrying needed to be a legitimate successor. The marriage had to take place.
Henry and Anne’s vows were exchanged before the sun had even risen on that frosty morning in January. Only a handful of witnesses attended, and the officiating priest is unknown to this day. It’s even speculated that the chaplain reminded Henry that everyone present could face excommunication from the church, however, Henry assured him that there was a licence granting them permission. Both bride and groom were sworn to secrecy; not to speak a word to anyone about the event until Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, declared Henry’s marriage to Catherine void on May 28th, 1533. At the court of Dunstable Priory, Cranmer announced Henry and Anne’s union as valid, and the people of England were now aware of the king’s new bride. However, their union may have commenced much earlier than people thought.
In the autumn of 1532, Anne was made Marquess of Pembrokeshire; an astonishing achievement meaning that she was given this noble title in her own right. She even accompanied Henry on a voyage to Calais, France, in order to meet King Francois I during the same time of year. These roles were exceedingly typical of a royal wife. Not a woman who was just a mistress; someone who would have had to of been married and closely connected to the king. This points heavily to an earlier marriage date than the mysterious event in January 1533.
31 years earlier on November 14th in 1501, Prince Arthur of Wales and Catherine of Aragon were wed in St. Paul’s Cathedral. This union was viewed as the beginning of a new era: The Tudors. Fast forward to 1532, and Henry VIII is the head of this dynasty, so it’s no surprise that he would have chosen to marry Anne on the same date; celebrating the continuation of the Tudors and the firm belief that Anne would be the woman to help carry on his line. Anne Boleyn gave birth to Elizabeth on the 7th of September 1533; just over nine months after the speculated marriage in 1532. This strongly points to November 14th being the definite date for Anne and Henry’s marriage considering that again, a royal child could not be born out of wedlock and it needed to be certain that this baby was a legitimate heir. A royal wedding would ensure it’s succession.
“The kyng after his returne, maried priuily the lady Anne Bulleyn, on sainct Erkenwaldes daie, whiche mariage was kept so secrete, that very fewe knewe it, til she was greate with child, at Easter after.”
This statement was written by Edward Hall, a sixteenth century chronicler, after Henry and Anne’s return from Calais in 1532. Edward is viewed as a reliable contemporary source and he states that Henry married Anne on Saint Erkenwaldes Day, which is the 14th of November; strongly and evidently pointing to this as their first marriage ceremony. Unfortunately, there’s no other sources to compare this to and it’s unclear whether this information is even correct. However, it’s noted that Anne was visibly pregnant by the ceremony on the 25th of January and many historians believe the couple were copulating way before this date; therefore, risking pregnancy. Even during the trip to Calais, Francois stated that Henry appeared to be certain his “great matter” would be resolved and even believed a betrothal had been arranged between Henry and Anne. Despite this, some believe it’s unlikely Henry married Anne on the 14th as it’s recorded the couple were traveling to Eltham Palace from Dover; a highly unlikely time to have a wedding ceremony.
But if Henry was desperate for his great matter to be resolved and to be in union with Anne, what lengths would he go to?
Bad weather had delayed their journey from Calais to Dover. The king was expected to leave Calais on the 29th of October, but vicious storms and rough seas prevented him and his court from doing so. The ship was then expected to leave on the 10th of November, but a fog had now settled on the French port. Finally, the ship left on the 12th of November and Henry and Anne arrived at Dover at 5am on the 14th. This leaves possible room in their day for a hasty and much anticipated marriage ceremony to secretly take place.
Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn’s wedding date has been a topic of debate for many years and for many historians. It remains a fascinating and intriguing part of Tudor history and the notion of two secret weddings taking place, only adds to the unusuality and uniqueness of Henry VIII and his tumultuous reign.
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