From Anne Boleyn, To King Henry VIII

I've been reading about Anne Boleyn. I've also enjoyed several movies about her life. Anne of the Thousand Days follows her life much better than The Other Boleyn Girl. But I enjoyed that one too, and the book by the same title. The incest reference I could have done without, but one source said the baby boy she gave birth to was not only born dead but badly deformed as well. Makes you wonder. Almost five hundred years ago was when she lived, and we are still fascinated by her. The fact that she was a strong-willed woman in an era where you could lose your head for it, (literally), intreges me. From what I have read, I don't believe she was as dark as she is often depicted. Desperate, yes. Here are some of her own words:

Anne's final words, believed to be written on or about May 15, 1536.

Sir; If, as you say, confessing a Truth indeed may procure my safety, I shall with all Willingness and Duty perform your Command. But let not your Grace ever imagine that your poor Wife will ever be brought to acknowledge a Fault, where not so much as a Thought thereof proceeded. And to speak a truth, never Prince had Wife more Loyal in all Duty, and in all true Affection, than you have ever found in Anne Boleyn. Neither did I at any time so far forget myself in my received Queenship, but that I always looked for such an Alteration as now I find; for the ground of my Preferment being on no surer Foundation than your Grace's Fancy, the least Alteration, I knew, was fit and sufficient to draw that Fancy to some other Subject.

Try me good King, but let me have a Lawful Trial, and let not my sworn Enemies sit as my Accusers and Judges; yea, let me receive an open Trial, for my Truth shall fear no open shame; then shall you see, either mine Innocency cleared, your Suspicion and Conscience satisfied, the Ignominy and Slander of the World stopped, or my Guilt openly declared. So that whatsoever God or you may determine of me, your Grace may be freed from an open Censure to follow your Affection already settled on that Party, for whose sake I am now as I am.

But if you have already determined of me, and that not only my Death, but an infamous Slander must bring you the enjoying of your desired Happiness; then I desire of God, that he will pardon your great Sin therein; and likewise mine Enemies, the Instruments thereof; and that he will not call you to a strict Account for your unprincely and cruel usage of me, at his General Judgement-Seat, where both you and my self must shortly appear, and in whose Judgement, I doubt not (whatsover the World may think of me) mine Innocence shall be openly known, and sufficiently cleared.