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4:02 pm
January 3, 2012
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I actually saw that this was a question, asked on here, but there was no real answer to just who it is? A Former tower servant appears to have tracked down the florist responsible for the flowers and says that he has tracked down the family responsible for this act, but hasn't named them.
So just who is the family? is it as stated by one postee, that it could be possibly a decendent from the Boleyn/Carey family, that's certainly one thought and to be honest the most obvisous too. Or maybe someone who knew Anne and felt pity for the fact, she didn't really get a decent burial or that no one actually mourned her death, other than perhaps her sister.
There are a few possiblities in my mind. The first one is obvisously the most logical, despite their differences Mary and Anne had I think they did truly love each other. So perhaps the flowers were Mary's way of saying I love you sister.
The second possibility is the Wyatt Family: Thomas Wyatt was in love with Anne and wrote many sonnets and love songs in her memory. Although married I think he tried to make Anne his mistress around the time that Henry became infactuated with her, Thomas may have even asked her outright to become his mistress, Anne replied to this request by saying “Noli me tangere, Caesaris sum“, giving Wyatt a warning to back off, I believe he used this phrase in one of his many sonnets to her. Sometime in 1525 according to Thomas's Grandson George Wyatt, Henry sent Thomas on a diplomatic mission to Italy, thus finally getting rid of all other rivals for Anne hand in Marriage.
In 1536 Wyatt was also arrested and charged with Adultery with Anne and placed in the tower, but due to his freindship or his father's freindship with Thomas Cromwell, no charges were actually brought against him, but he remained in the tower until later in the year, he therefore must have witnessed the execution of Anne and all those who were condemned with her. He did write a few poems about her death, but they stay clear of mentioning anything about the executions being completely unfair and totally groundless, perhaps for him it was better that way, as any hint of the King murdering Anne could have signed his death warrant too, and he had got a family to think about after all..His love for Anne I believe never really died, and I think that love must have rubbed off on his son, as Thomas Wyatt the younger lost his head over his devotion to Anne's Daughter Elizabeth, when he led a very ill favoured rebellion again Mary Tudor when she became Queen in 1553. Thomas Wyatt the elder also had a daughter called Margaret, who was the mother of Henry Lee of Ditchley. The Lee connections come from Virginia including Robert E Lee, and Thomas's Great Gransdson was Francis Wyatt Governor of Virginia..
This one in my view is extremely possible.
The third option is Henry Percy's family, although he himself died a year later leaving no issue from his marriage to Mary Talbot.
The earldom fell into abeyance on his death, but was revived in favour of his nephew Thomas. His widow lived until 1572.
Northumberland's two brothers, Sir Thomas and Sir Ingelram Percy, took an active part in the management of his estates. They were both important leaders in the Pilgrimage of Grace. Both were arrested. Sir Thomas was attainted and executed in 1537. His sons succeeded to the earldom: Thomas, as seventh earl and Henry, as eighth earl. Sir Ingelram Percy was confined in the Beauchamp Tower where his name is to be seen cut in the stone. But he was soon liberated, went abroad, and died about 1540. He left an illegitimate daughter Isabel who, in 1544, married Henry Tempest of Broughton
They would have all known Anne through Henry, as we all know Henry Percy really wanted to marry Anne, and probably would have if 1. The king had cast his net for Anne and was a jealous suiter. 2 .Wolsey, no doubt at the King's bidding put a stop to Henry Percy's suit, by getting his father to quickly get his son away from the court and married to someone else as quickly as possible, without grace or gravy. Or 3 perhaps King Henry himself confronted Henry Percy and told him to back off with perhaps the threat of violence, and Henry Percy felt it was better to disappear a bit rapid and marry as quick as possible to keep his head on his shoulders and not on a spike instead.
As we can see Sir Ingelram Percy, left only a illegimate daughter Isabel It doesn't tell us how old Isabel was in 1544 at the time of her marriage, but generally the usual and excepted age for marriages in those days was about 15, putting her date of birth at around 1527. Therefore she would have known a little bit about Anne through her father and maybe if she's had been with her father at court when Anne was Queen, even spoken perhaps to her. It's a long shot I know, but it is just purely my opinion.
Anyway I'd certainly like to hear your own opinions on this mystery..
Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod
6:41 pm
January 6, 2012
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Well, I may not have a theory, but I find it a wonderfully romantic gesture, just the same.
7:46 pm
May 16, 2011
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I've read this question on here too and just like Rebecca I have no theories what so ever. Maybe it's a fan who likes to do it as a tradition. It's very sweet whomever it is.
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
8:01 pm
November 18, 2010
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I think it's the royal family.
However I have no real idea as to why they would do it.
It's always bunnies.
11:00 pm
August 12, 2009
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It's “only” been happening for between 25 and 150 years, so there is no connection to anyone who actually knew Anne in life. It's discussed here:
/q-a/who-leaves-the-flowers-on-annes-grave-every-may-19th-and-when-did-this-start-obviously-a-huge-anne-boleyn-fan-rich-jones/
and a poster, Wendy, quotes from this site:
http://www.greenfingers.com/ar…..asp?id=627
Red roses are associated with many romantic traditions, but few so intriguing as one described in the Sunday Telegraph. Apparently for over 150 years, descendants of Anne Boleyn (obviously they mean Mary Boleyn Carey) have been secretly sending a bunch of red roses to be laid on her tomb in the chapel of the Tower of London. The second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn was beheaded at the Tower in 1536. The roses arrive at the Tower each year on 19th May, the anniversary of her death.
After three years research, Major General Chris Tyler, a former director-general of the Tower who became fascinated by the tradition, has tracked down a family of descendants who live in Kent. After polite questioning during a visit to the Tower, they admitted that they had been responsible for the flowers, and their relatives before them.
Each year, the bunch of roses appeared on Anne Boleyn's marble tomb, but no one knew how they got there as no member of the public is allowed into the chapel without being attended by one of the Tower's famous Beefeaters.
A key piece of assistance came when General Tyler discovered that Longman's, the florist shop closest to the Tower, had been receiving since the mid-1850s, an annual order for red roses to go to Queen Anne Boleyn, The Tower of London, under instructions to maintain strict anonymity. But six years ago, the order was moved to a branch of Longman's in the Kent village close to where the descendants live.
"Don't knock at death's door.
Ring the bell and run. He hates that."
1:56 am
January 17, 2011
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This has always puzzled me, I know we all love Anne and will never forget her but isn't it just wonderful that someone actually properly marks her life and death like this and long may it happen 
9:08 pm
January 9, 2010
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Impish_Impulse said:
It's “only” been happening for between 25 and 150 years, so there is no connection to anyone who actually knew Anne in life. It's discussed here:
/q-a/who-leaves-the-flowers-on-annes-grave-every-may-19th-and-when-did-this-start-obviously-a-huge-anne-boleyn-fan-rich-jones/
and a poster, Wendy, quotes from this site:
http://www.greenfingers.com/ar…..asp?id=627
Red roses are associated with many romantic traditions, but few so intriguing as one described in the Sunday Telegraph. Apparently for over 150 years, descendants of Anne Boleyn (obviously they mean Mary Boleyn Carey) have been secretly sending a bunch of red roses to be laid on her tomb in the chapel of the Tower of London. The second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn was beheaded at the Tower in 1536. The roses arrive at the Tower each year on 19th May, the anniversary of her death.
After three years research, Major General Chris Tyler, a former director-general of the Tower who became fascinated by the tradition, has tracked down a family of descendants who live in Kent. After polite questioning during a visit to the Tower, they admitted that they had been responsible for the flowers, and their relatives before them.
Each year, the bunch of roses appeared on Anne Boleyn's marble tomb, but no one knew how they got there as no member of the public is allowed into the chapel without being attended by one of the Tower's famous Beefeaters.
A key piece of assistance came when General Tyler discovered that Longman's, the florist shop closest to the Tower, had been receiving since the mid-1850s, an annual order for red roses to go to Queen Anne Boleyn, The Tower of London, under instructions to maintain strict anonymity. But six years ago, the order was moved to a branch of Longman's in the Kent village close to where the descendants live.
I read this too Impish; I hope they don't delve any further into it as it kind of ruins the mystery which I always thought was rather romantic!
The '”polite questioning” after a “visit” to the Tower' line made me laugh
1:32 am
January 3, 2012
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Lots of things to think about here, and thank you everyone for taking the time for reading and giving your opinions..
This is certainly a real old enigma? It's nice to know that over 500 years later Anne is as loved now as she was then.
Whoever does it, it's nice to know that this custom has continued through the family line for all this time..
As it happens Anyanka's suggestion that it could be something the Royal Family might do, has gone up my flagpole.
But again it opens up yet another can of worms to which member of the Royal family would do it..
Good one Anyanka..
Perhaps I ought to brush up on some of the decendents of the Royal family..
Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod
2:16 am
January 17, 2011
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Thinking about it it's more likely Anne's family as why doesn't Katherine Howard get flowers too???
6:53 am
December 8, 2011
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This is one of my favorite topics to ponder! The whole idea is so romantic (in a beautiful/mysterious way, not lovey-dovey!) and I love to picture some hooded figure placing the flowers on her marker and whisking off into the shadows, not noticed by the public and purposely ignored by the Beefeaters/guards. I think the whole thing would be ruined for me if I knew who really was responsible, it's such a fun thing to think about who could possibly be so faithful in remembering her on that fateful day. It's a wonderful tradition that I hope never cases, and someday when I make it to London I hope it's on May 19, so I can see her memory personified.
"If the lion knew his own strength, hard were it for any man to rule him" -Thomas More
7:30 am
June 7, 2010
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There is a certain aura of romance and mystery surrounding this act. I agree with KrisTa Da. If I know the whole story, it would ruin it all for me. There are certain things left unknown, and this is one of them. The fact someone takes the time to send flowers every year, and has done so for decades, is enough for me.
I feel the placing of flowers on Anne's grave says she is still loved and not forgotten. For all Henry's attempts to destroy her memory there are people who still honour Anne's life. It's not Henry's tomb that people flock to. No, it's Anne's. No one places flowers on the tyrant's grave. In fact, it's fitting he's also buried beneath a simple, stone slab.
One day I hope to make it to London on 19th of May. I've visited Anne's grave before, and it's always a moving experience. But to be there on the anniversary of her death would be ultimate pilgrimage.
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
5:28 am
January 3, 2012
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Duchess of Brittany:
Good point.. It is strange to think that even though Henry tried to Airbrush every thought and Memory of Anne out of History, and yet even after all these years generation upon generation have never forgotten her.
Perhaps she did have a form of witchcraft after all, as everyone seems to remember her, despite the fact that she was the first Queen in history to have been beheaded..Perhaps because a sword was used instead of the clumsy and often unreliable battle axe..
I've not yet had the chance to visit the Tower but like you one day I hope to.
I also want to put a single red rose on her grave..
It does seem strange though that no one bothers with Catherine Howard? Another Tudor Mystery
It seems as if what Henry tried to do to Airbrush Anne out of history backfired and worked on Catherine instead.
Poor Catherine. She was a stupid and ignorant girl who was just used and abused by men all her simple life. Which if you want to read my post in Anne's last words, bears out some truth. Just a thought of mine, behind poor Catherine's treatment by men..
My brother had the honour of being able to stay in the Queen's house at the tower a few years back and he actually slept in the room that was occupied by Anne before she went to the sword, although a lot different now given the modern convienenties, he said the room was beautiful, and in Tudor times must have been very warm and cosy, but probably a bit smelly due to having no modern toilet.
Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod
7:20 am
January 6, 2012
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Sophie1536 said:
Thinking about it it's more likely Anne's family as why doesn't Katherine Howard get flowers too???
I think because of her daughter's legacy, Anne's infamy has become the more important one to honor, discuss and cherish than the queen who purposefully disgraced herself.
2:33 pm
November 18, 2010
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Boleyn said:
Perhaps I ought to brush up on some of the decendents of the Royal family..
Queen Elizabeth is a decendant of Mary Boleyn thought the Bowes-Lyons family of her mother the late Queen Dowager.
IIRC Diana PoW was also a decendant of Mary.
It's always bunnies.
2:57 pm
January 17, 2011
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Does anyone know if there is a written card with these flowers, if there is I should love to read what was written
9:06 pm
May 16, 2011
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It'd be cool if there was a notes that they were in French and poems like the one's Wyatt wrote for her. That'd be so sweet. Sorry, i'm gettin ahead of myself.
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
7:52 am
January 3, 2012
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Anyanka said:
Boleyn said:
Perhaps I ought to brush up on some of the decendents of the Royal family..
Queen Elizabeth is a decendant of Mary Boleyn thought the Bowes-Lyons family of her mother the late Queen Dowager.
IIRC Diana PoW was also a decendant of Mary.
Hmm good one..and a very interesting thought.
Henry himself was also related however distantley to all his wives as well or so it's thought, so therefore he himself was related to the Bowes Lyon family too? This is a very intriquing mystery isn't it?
Sophie, gives us another chain of thought her too to why the flowers are left, and a very valid one too, because if it wasn't for Anne, Elizabeth wouldn't have ruled or be able to build the Britain we know today..
When Mary Tudor died Britain was in a right old state, a country almost bankrupt because of Mary's insistance to fund her husband's war with France and because of it failure Britain lost it's last remaining French stronghold Calais.
Mary's inability and dare I say imcompetence in trying to get the country back under Papal control, and burning hundreds of so called heretics because she felt the more she burned the more God would smile down on her etc.
The Pope however was more than a little miffed with Mary over this, and dragging Britain back to Rome kicking and screaming all the way only succeded in getting the door slammed back in her face..
So when Elizabeth came to the throne and put a full stop to religious persecusion, the people loved her for it, the rest we know Elizabeth was one of the Greatest monarchs to ever sit on the throne, and as I've already stated it was Anne who brought this about.
So maybe the flowers are left as a reminder to one of a Queen who helped build the Britain we know today.
Why however are flowers never left for any of Henry's other Queen's they all in some way influenced Elizabeth? not so much Catherine of Aragon perhaps but Elizabeth would have known about through Mary. Jane Seymour reunited the family, and if she's lived would most likely have done what Catherine Parr did in getting Mary and Elizabeth re-instated in succession. Anne of Cleves granted only Queen for 6 months, but had a soft spot for Elizabeth and I believe Elizabeth did stay with her from time to time. Anne of Cleves was however close to Mary too, and Mary's relationship with Anne of Cleves must have been very close as Anne of Cleves converted to Cathothsium at some stage. Catherine Howard certainly had a devestating influence of Elizabeth, Catherine Howard's death in 1542 when Elizabeth was only 9, forced (for want of a better word) Elizabeth to make the statement that “all Marriage was death and she would never marry”. Catherine Parr well she once again reunited the family after the choas of Henry's last 3 marriages, and had a strong influence on Elizabeth, even after Henry's death that influence continued. So what did happen to Elizabeth, when Catherine Parr and Thomas Seymour married? Did Thomas abuse Elizabeth?
Either way we all know that Elizabeth left Catherine's household in disgrace. Whatever happened there must have had a profound influence on Elizabeth.. More for you all to chew over here.. You can't say I don't keep your brain cells busy..
Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod
7:19 am
December 8, 2011
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Rebecca said:
Sophie1536 said:
Thinking about it it's more likely Anne's family as why doesn't Katherine Howard get flowers too???
I think because of her daughter's legacy, Anne's infamy has become the more important one to honor, discuss and cherish than the queen who purposefully disgraced herself.
I agree with this, and would add that because Anne was the only execution to be carried out based on completely fabricated “evidence”, therefore making it more tragic in the eyes of the public. From the very beginning Anne did everything out of a general desire to change England for the better, and although she seemed to go about it in the wrong ways sometimes, sparring with powerful members of Henry's court and challenging Henry in ways she probably knew she shouldn't, but for the most part I think she honestly wanted to see England freed from Medieval superstitions and traditions. Despite the varying opinions on what kind of person she was, it's pretty undeniable, in my opinion, that she had the best intentions. She was tragically struck down just at the height of the changes she had worked so hard to make, on trumped up charges for adultery.
It's a testament to her legacy that now, almost 5 centuries later, she is still the tragic tale of the woman who worked so hard for what she believed in, only to be silenced forever by a tyrant who was never happy with what he had.
"If the lion knew his own strength, hard were it for any man to rule him" -Thomas More
6:22 pm
February 24, 2012
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Anyanka said
Queen Elizabeth is a decendant of Mary Boleyn thought the Bowes-Lyons family of her mother the late Queen Dowager.
IIRC Diana PoW was also a decendant of Mary.
That is extremely interesting. Is there an online site that shows the Queen Dowager’s lineage back that far? I find it fascinating and usually come across some interesting facts and people.
6:34 am
January 3, 2012
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Janet said
Anyanka said
Queen Elizabeth is a decendant of Mary Boleyn thought the Bowes-Lyons family of her mother the late Queen Dowager.
IIRC Diana PoW was also a decendant of Mary.
That is extremely interesting. Is there an online site that shows the Queen Dowager’s lineage back that far? I find it fascinating and usually come across some interesting facts and people.
Anyanka certainly keeps people busy that’s for sure, and of course she’s quite right here, but it’s also know that K.P is also distantly related to both Princess Diana, and Camilla Parker Bowles. Oh what a tangled web the Royal Family are. Like I said earlier Henry was actually related to his all his wives in one way or another with so many removed in between. Catherine of Aragon is easy to figure out, as she was named after the daughter (Catalina) of Constance of Castille who was the wife of John of Gaunt, Catalina was married to Henry 3rd of Castille. Therefore making John and Constance’s daughter Catherine of Aragon’s great grandmother. And so we are told Catalina had fair to reddish hair and blue eyes which Catherine of Aragon had. I can’t quite work out what the relationship was between COA and Henry is but taking a wild stab at it I think they were possibly 3rd or 4th cousins once removed. Certainly no one has ever placed flowers on Old Blubberball’s grave or K.H’s but they do on K.P’s but that is more from members of the public or when they decorate the church, and of course her effigy has over the years been defaced, with such stupid graffiti such as Kilroy was here etc,, but you can still see how she must have looked not exactly pretty by today’s standards but pleasing in appearence with a motherly sort of face, it’s just so sad that she never actually got to be just that with her own daughter, just out of interest she haunts Sudley Castle and has been seen by most of the staff and guests. In fact it’s got to the point where the staff when locking up for the night at say goodnight to her, She’s also been seen walking in the garden and whenever she’s around you can hear children’s laughter, is she still hoping to be re united with the daughter she never had a chance to know? I had a breif but fleeting glimpse of her when I visited Sudley many years ago, a woman in a green dress, bending over the cradle in what would have been the Nursery. She always seems to appear when ever there are children there too. And it’s usually mothers who see her most.
AOC’s Grave is rather tucked away under the Altar in Westminster abbey, But Katherine of Aragon’s grave does have flowers placed on it Despite it’s lack of grandure, it has a number of visitors to it everyday. The Victorian’s helped to restore her Grave and it’s now topped off with a slab of black marble with gold lettering. It’s simple but there is just something about it that makes you feel so sorry for her and Henry’s treatment of her. Rumour also has it that her favourite maid Maria de Salanas was buried with her. I don’t think so, but it would be nice to think she was. I do know that when the Victorians were restoring her grace one of the workers managed to somehow pull a bit of fabric from KOA coffin, it smelt very strongly of herbs and spices, and was I’m given to believe of very delicate black lace, but it disinigrated before he had a chance to do anything with it.
I do think that like other have pointed out, It’s one of history’s mysteries that shouldn’t be solved. As it says in Lara Croft the Cradle of Life. “some things aren’t meant to be found.” It’s a wonderful gesture and whoever it is that does is, must also feel the love that we all do for our Anne and our Elizabeth too. Elizabeth always said that the people were hers and she was the people’s and do you know something she’s right I think we would all be proud to have a daughter like her..
Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod
