10 Shocking Secrets You Didn’t Know About Anne Boleyn’s Grisly Death

Following Anne’s arrest, she was put on trial for treason, in the great time-honoured tradition of the English justice system. Innocent before guilty, right? Not so much in sixteenth century England.

Anne’s performance at court was a spectacle. She was so honest and believable that even members of the court that hated her began to believe she was innocent. The accusations against her had very little evidence to support them and her answers to questions were quick-witted and precise. She entered the court as though she was going to a great triumph - little did she know it was a death march.

It was all in vain, as by that point Henry wanted it all to be over. Anne’s trial was on 15 May 1536. Two days earlier, the five men accused were found guilty and sentenced to death. SO, WHAT WAS THE POINT IN THE TRIAL??? After all that effort she put in, she was always going to lose anyway. It’s like an actor pulling off the finest performance of their life and there is just one person in the crowd. On top of that, the person says well done but you’re going to die very shortly after this.

Just to add salt to the wound, Anne’s uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, presided over the trial and sentenced her to death. A real kick in the teeth. Henry was quite merciful: she could have been burned to death, but he chose to kill her quickly, so a nice head chopping instead.