Trivia

Anne was sometimes called 'The Great Whore', 'The Concubine', or 'the goggle-eyed whore' by her critics.

Anne was also called Anna and Nan and Anne's last name was sometimes spelled Bullen, Bolina, and Bollein because uniform spelling had not yet been adopted.

Katherine Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII, who was also charged with adultery and executed (although in her case the charges were not false), was Anne Boleyn's cousin.

Anne Boleyn's portrait is in the halls of Hogwarts in the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Whether or not this was an intentional reference to the rumors that she was a witch is unknown. See Myths.

Henry VIII may have become betrothed to Jane Seymour the same day Anne was beheaded.

Anne Boleyn's ghost is said to haunt the Tower of London. More.

Anne Boleyn is mentioned in several contemporary songs. One is Tori Amos's 'Talula', and another is Blues Traveler's 'Hook'. Click on the links to read the full lyrics. If you know of any more songs that reference Henry VIII's 2nd wife, directly or in directly, please e-mail me!

Anne was so emotionally unstable during the last months of her life that her ladies were afraid to tell her that her beloved dog, Purkoy, had died.

Anne loved pearls, as did her daughter, Elizabeth I.

It is rumored that Henry VIII wrote the popular song 'Greensleeves' with Anne Boleyn in mind, but it is very unlikely that he even wrote the song. Many songs are purported to be written by the Queen herself including 'O Deathe, rock me asleepe' and 'Defiled Is My Name'. These songs, supposedly written by her while she was imprisoned in the Tower and later put to music by her chaplain, are more than likely NOT written by Anne Boleyn. But they could refer to her plight specifically and are therefore of interest to Tudor scholars. Links to the songs and lyrics coming soon!

Anne hated monkeys and her predecessor, Catherine of Aragon, owned one as a pet.

Elizabeth I had a ring made that included a portrait of her mother and herself.

Henry made a gift of Anne's family home, Hever Castle, to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, after their marriage was annulled.

Henry VIII never mentioned Anne Boleyn by name after she died. He always remembered his third wife, Jane Seymour, who died in childbirth, as his 'true' wife.