Beginning of the end!
Sir,
Your grace's displeasure and my imprisonment are things so strange to me, that what to write,
Or what to excuse, I am altogether ignorant.
Whereas you send me to me such a one, whom you know to me mine ancient professed enemy (Cromwell): I no sooner received this message by him, than I rightly conceived your meaning: and if as you say, confessing a truth indeed my procure my safety I shall, with willingness and duty, perform your command.
But let not Your Grace ever imagine your poor wife will ever be brought to acknowledge a fault
Where not so much as a thought ever proceeded.
And to speak a truth, never a prince had a wife more loyal in all duty, in all true affection,
Than you have ever found in Anne Boleyn – with which name and place I could willingly have contented myself if god and Your Grace's pleasure had so pleased.
Neither did I at any time so far forget myself in exaltation, or received Queenship , but I always looked for sucher alteration as I now find: for the ground of my preferment being on no surer foundation than Your Grace's fancy. The least alteration was fit and sufficient, I knew, to draw that fancy to some other subject.
You have chosen me from a low estate to be your Queen and companion, far beyond my just desert or desire: if then you found me worthy of such honor, good Your Grace, let not any light fancy or bad counsel of my enemies withdraw your princely favour from me, neither let that stain- that unworthy stain- of a disloyal heart toward your good Grace ever cast so foul a blot on me and on the infant Princess, Your daughter Elizabeth.
Try me, Good king, but let me have a lawful trial,
And let not my sworn enemies sit as my judges; yea, let me receive an open trial, for my truth shall fear no open shames : then shall you see either mine innocent cleared, your suspicious and conscience satisfied , the ignominy and slander of the world stopped, or my quilt openly declared.
So that whatever God and you may determine of, Your Grace may be at liberty, both before God and man, not only to execute worth punishment on me, as an unfaithful wife, but to follow your affection already settled on that party. Mistress Seymour, for whose sake I am now as I am; whose name I could some good while since have pointed unto: Your Grace being not ignorant of my suspicions therein.
But if you have already determined of me , and that not only my death, but an infamous slander, must bring you to the joying of your desired happiness, then I desire of God that He will pardon your great sin herein, and likewise, my enemies, the instruments thereof, and that He will not call you to a straight account for your unprincely and cruel usage of me at His General Judgment-seat, where both you and myself must shortly appear; and in whose just judgment, I doubt not; whatsoever the world think of me; mine innocence shall be openly known and sufficiently cleared.
My last and only request shall be, that myself may only bear the burden of Your Grace's displeasure, and that it may not touch the innocent sould of those poor gentlemen, whom as I understand, are likewise in straight imprisonment for my sake. If I ever have found favour in your site , if ever the name of Anne Boleyn have been pleasing in your ears- then let me obtain this request ; and so I will leave to trouble Your Grace no further.
With mine earnest prayers to the Trinity to have Your Grace in His good keeping and to direct you in all your actions.
From my doleful prison in the Tower, the 6th of may.
Anne Boleyn.
Closing her eyes...Anne thought about happier times when she was just a little girl.
A girl with no concerns about her future, no insecurity about her love from his Majesty.
but a girl who loved her family. Just her...Anne Boleyn, no mistress, no queen and no prisoner
All she can hope now is her beloved daughter Elizabeth.
My first tudors story!
tell me what you think..!
Just so you know: the letter doesn't belong to me! its just a start of something...