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12:55 pm
January 27, 2010
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'I sometimes wish that all Spaniards were at the bottom of the sea' – As spoken by Anne Boleyn on The Tudors.
Does anyone know whether she actually ever said this, or anything like it? Just curious 🙂
3:51 pm
April 11, 2011
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Beth,
From memory, I believe Ives' “The Life And Death Of Anne Boleyn” gives reference to this, when Anne, speaking of Katherine of Aragon, said she “wished all Spaniards were at the bottom of the sea”. So this would appear to be an accurate scene, as shown on The Tudors.
11:49 pm
June 7, 2011
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Maybe she was psychic and referring to the future Spanish armada! It's certainly where many ended up after her daughter finished with them!
"It is however but Justice, & my Duty to declre that this amiable Woman was entirely innocent of the Crimes with which she was accused, of which her Beauty, her Elegance, & her Sprightliness were sufficient proofs..." Jane Austen.
9:31 am
February 24, 2010
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Beth,
Ives does say that Chapuys reported, Anne, on New Year's Day (1531) as being full of confidence and brave as a lion, declaring 'that she wished all Spaniards were at the bottom of the sea…that she cared not for the queen or any of her family, and that she would rather see her hanged than have to confess that she was her queen and mistress.' pg 137-138 “The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn”
2:15 am
May 19, 2011
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Elliemarianna said:
Maybe she was psychic and referring to the future Spanish armada! It's certainly where many ended up after her daughter finished with them!
Maybe she was a witch and she cursed them!
"A fresh young damsel, who could trip and go"
11:37 am
January 27, 2010
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Great. Thanks guys 🙂
10:51 am
January 12, 2010
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For the more i love Anne, there's just something i can't understand. Why such arrogance.
I'm not defending the spanish, but that's a very sad behaviour…
Grumble all you like,this is how it's going to be
2:53 pm
October 31, 2010
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Sharon said:
Beth,
Ives does say that Chapuys reported, Anne, on New Year's Day (1531) as being full of confidence and brave as a lion, declaring 'that she wished all Spaniards were at the bottom of the sea…that she cared not for the queen or any of her family, and that she would rather see her hanged than have to confess that she was her queen and mistress.' pg 137-138 “The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn”
It's unfortunate that this quote is attributed to Chapuys…we all know what he thought of Anne. In his defense, though, Anne probably DID say something about the Spaniards, but who knows?
"We mustn't let our passions destroy our dreams…"
4:00 pm
January 9, 2010
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If Anne did say something like that (and I tend to think Chapuys, biased though he was, may not be completely wrong on this occasion) then I think it was one of the incidents when her tongue could get the better of her. Stress can make people say all sorts of stupid things. I'd like to think Anne felt at least a smidgeon of remorse afterwards but…. hmm, well, who knows?!
5:32 pm
October 31, 2010
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I absolutely agree! Eric Ives is known for his thoroughness and probably would not have included a quote that he didn't feel had some sort of factual basis to it, but I question whether Anne truly said, “I don't like the queen or her family, I'd rather die than bow to her as queen and I wish everyone on the country of Spain were drowned at the bottom of the ocean” or if she said something as simple as “I don't personally care for the queen” and then Chapuys took that and embellished it in his report. I don't, however, think that there's any doubt that Anne didn't care for KoA–she demonstrated this in other ways.
"We mustn't let our passions destroy our dreams…"
6:01 pm
June 7, 2010
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I'm skeptical because the source is cited as Chapuys; yet I doubt Ives would used the quote if he was convinced of it authenticity.
It would seem Anne said this around the time of her ascendency to the throne, but her position was not entirley secure. KOA and Mary were putting up a fight, and Anne was not that beloved by Henry's court. So, she must have been experiencing an equal amount of self-assurance and insecurity. This quote was in bad taste, but Anne was not always the most tactful person.
I often wonder how Anne felt about KOA in the beginning of her serving the Queen, before Henry, the Great Matter, and all that? Did she always dislike her, or did her hatred of KOA begin when she became her rival?
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
6:25 pm
November 18, 2010
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I suspect that Anne was prepared to serve KoA while awaiting her marriage to Ormonde or Percy, if she could swing that match. Anne probably had some loyality to KoA in the begining since Anne was brought up to be a courtier. KoA's household would have given Anne the exposure on both the national and international stage that she was expected to be in her element.
Once Henry declared his “love” which Anne either didn't want or was not prepared to be given then everything changed. Henry set up rival courts between his women.The young-bloods rushed to Anne's side while the more conservative members clung to KoA.
IMHO, it was only because KoA didn't follow other queen's presidents and retire into a convent that Anne started to dislike and then hate Katherine and Mary. Had Katherine folded, Anne and Henry would not have been so keen to break either of thier resolves.
It's always bunnies.
10:00 am
February 24, 2010
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MegC said:
Sharon said:
Beth,
Ives does say that Chapuys reported, Anne, on New Year's Day (1531) as being full of confidence and brave as a lion, declaring 'that she wished all Spaniards were at the bottom of the sea…that she cared not for the queen or any of her family, and that she would rather see her hanged than have to confess that she was her queen and mistress.' pg 137-138 “The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn”
It's unfortunate that this quote is attributed to Chapuys…we all know what he thought of Anne. In his defense, though, Anne probably DID say something about the Spaniards, but who knows?
I am not a fan. Unfortunately, Chapuys had an awful lot to say about Anne. He reports, You decide! With all that was happening between Anne, Henry, Katherine and Mary, I can believe Anne may have had a moment where she was totally fed up and said this or something else that was equally sarcastic.
10:14 am
May 19, 2011
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Anne was a lively young woman and a reformer- perhaps she wasn't ever overly fond of KOA for her devout religiousness.. I believe Anne was way ahead of the rest of the Court and enjoyed taunting and teasing them. The majority disliked her but she was indestructible with the love of the King- “that's how it is going to be- no matter how they grumble.” Is clearly defiant.
The saying rings true for me. It would have shocked her contemporaries, which kept Anne in the spotlight. A bit like Posh Spice going to the shops for milk in a tailored suit and sky high stiletto's who is now a respected fashion designer. Good for her! Anne's career was Anne. And her best career move, just like Posh, was to always be in the spotlight… No publicity is bad!
"A fresh young damsel, who could trip and go"
