Anne Boleyn: The Queen Who Lost Her Crown—and Her Life

Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen of England, then executed less than three years later on charges most historians doubt. How did one of the most powerful women in Tudor history fall so fast? In this video, we follow the real story of Anne Boleyn, from her years at the courts of Europe to her rise at the court of King Henry VIII. We look at Henry’s break with Rome, her coronation in 1533, the birth of the future Elizabeth I, and the miscarriages that left her position fragile. We also examine the role of Thomas Cromwell, the arrest of Mark Smeaton and the others, the trial at the Tower of London, and the final days before her execution on May 19, 1536. Historians still debate who was most responsible for her fall, but the evidence against her was thin, and her daughter would one day rule England for more than forty years. If you enjoy untold royal history, forgotten queens, and the real stories behind Europe’s most dramatic dynasties, subscribe for more. Which part of Anne’s story surprised you most? Tell us in the comments.