Resources

Still want to know more about Anne Boleyn and the reign of Henry VIII?

On this page, I have listed some recommended resources and you can also click through to American and UK/European resources to find books, DVDs and more. Remember to download my free report on the fall of Anne Boleyn – click here for details.

You can also read an Anne Boleyn letter and poems that Anne is said to have written and the execution speeches of Anne and the five accused men (click on links).

If you want to see examples of Anne Boleyn’s handwriting, simply click the link.

Addicted to Anne? Click here to read some fantastic articles on why The Anne Boleyn Files visitors are so addicted to Anne Boleyn.

American Anne Boleyn Resources

Click here for the Anne Boleyn books and DVDs which are listed below, but available in the United States. See below for “The Tudors Season 3” DVD.

UK and European Anne Boleyn Resources

Simply click on the pictures below for more information about these Anne Boleyn books and DVDs, or click on the flags to go to our resource store.

Recommended Resources

Here are some great Anne Boleyn resources which I have divided into non-fiction, for those who want the facts, and fiction, for those who love historical novels. I’ve also added some great DVDs.

Non-Fiction

Eric Ives’ “The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn” is, in my opinion, the definitive biography of Anne Boleyn. Ives has pieced together historical evidence to solve the Anne Boleyn puzzle and give a true portrait of this amazing woman. If you are an Anne Boleyn fan, this has got to be part of your book collection!

Joanna Denny’s “Anne Boleyn” is also a brilliant portrait of the life of Anne Boleyn and, like Eric Ives, she draws on real historical evidence to debunk the myth that Anne was a deformed witch who seduced Henry and then committed adultery, treason and incest. A brilliant Anne Boleyn biography.

“Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn” is a collection of seventeen love letters that Henry VIII sent to Anne Boleyn. These were the letters that he wrote to Anne when she was removed, or removed herself, from court after he showed an interest in her. It is wonderful to read the real words of Henry as he pleads with Anne to come back . A must for all Anne Boleyn fans!

Historian David Starkey’s book, “The Reign of Henry VIII – Personalities and Politics” is a concise examination of the reign of this amazing King of England, and looks at his whole reign, not just his marriages. David Starkey is one of Britain’s most famous and respected historians, so you can be sure that this book is based on real historical fact.

Another great book by renowned historian David Starkey. “Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII” examines all six wives – the strict catholic, Catherine of Aragon; Anne Boleyn, the woman who caused the English Reformation; Jane Seymour, the woman who gave Henry his long awaited son but who died just 2 weeks later; the so-called “Mare of Flanders”, Anne of Cleves; Catherine Howard, the young adulteress; and Catherine Parr, the woman who outlived the King. A great read for fans of Tudor times.

Fiction

“A Lady Raised High” by Laurien Gardner is a fictional novel about Anne Boleyn written from the viewpoint of a girl who was a member of her household and who loved Anne.

The novel is just that, a novel, and is not meant to be taken seriously as it does contain some historical inaccuracies.

“Brief Gaudy Hour” by Margaret Campbell Barnes is a wonderful historical novel giving the story of Anne Boleyn from her childhood, through her life at the French Court and English Court, her love affair with Henry Percy, her relationship and eventual marriage to Henry VIII, and eventually to her fall and execution.

“The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn” by Robin Maxwell is a novel in which new queen, Elizabeth I, is given a diary written by her mother, Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth has grown up believing that her mother committed adultery and treason, but she learns the real truth about Anne Boleyn from this precious diary.

“The Other Boleyn Girl” by the well-known historical novelist, Philippa Gregory, is actually about Mary Boleyn, Anne’s sister, who is famous for being Henry VIII’s mistress and mother to two of his children. It is a great read, if you can put historical facts to one side, and enjoy it the way it is meant to be taken, as a work of fiction.

“The French Executioner” by C.C.Humphreys is about Anne Boleyn’s executioner, Jean Rombaud, who promises Anne that he will bury her deformed hand at a crossroads in France. The story is about Rombaud’s adventures on the way to fulfilling his promise to Anne.

“Vengeance Is Mine” by Brandy Purdy has the subtitle of “A Novel of Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard and Lady Rochford – the Woman Who Helped Destroy them Both”. It is the story of how George Boleyn’s wife, Lady Jane Rochford, brings about the downfall of George and Anne Boleyn by accusing them of incest and then how she later betrays Katherine Howard.
This novel has got some rather poor reviews on Amazon, but other people love it – make your own mind up, I haven’t read this one.

DVDs

“Henry VIII: Mind of a Tyrant” is a DVD of David Starkey’s excellent TV series which aimed to explore the mind of Henry VIII. It consists of four episodes – The Prince (1485-1509), The Warrior (1509-1525), The Lover (1526-1536) and The Tyrant (1533-1547). Anne Boleyn fans will particularly appreciate episode 3, “The Lover”, which explores Henry VIII’s relationship with Anne Boleyn.

“The Tudors – Season 3” carries on from where Season 2 left off with Anne Boleyn dead and Henry VIII in love with Jane Seymour. This series covers Henry’s third and fourth marriage (Anne of Cleves) and events like the Pilgrimage of Grace. We also meet new characters like Sir Francis Bryan and get lots of the lovely Charles Brandon! (Please note that this is the US version and is not available in the UK yet).

“The Tudors – The Complete Series 1” introduces us to Henry VIII and his wife, Catherine of Aragon, and his court. We meet Cardinal Wolsey, Charles Brandon, Thomas More, Bessie Blount and, of course, Anne Boleyn.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers is a rather sexy Henry and Natalie Dormer is just perfect as the witty, intelligent, and attractive, Anne Boleyn. Raunchy at times and incredibly entertaining, this series will get you hooked!

“The Tudors – The Complete Series 2” could be subtitled “The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn” as it covers the period from Henry seeking an annulment from his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, through his eventual marriage to Anne and the birth of Elizabeth, to Anne’s arrest and execution.
We meet new characters – a new pope (Peter O’Toole), Cromwell, Cranmer and Jane Seymour, Henry’s future wife. This series is just as good as the first and make sure you’ve got the tissues ready for the execution!

“The Other Boleyn Girl” is the film of Philippa Gregory’s book (see above) starring Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana. However, rather than being like the book, which focuses on Mary Boleyn, the film actually concentrates on Anne.
Watch the film before you read the book, otherwise you might find yourself getting annoyed and saying “that bit’s not like the book”!