Poem – Popes and Passions

This is Part 18 of Esther Hyams’ wonderful series of poems on the life of Anne Boleyn – make sure you check out the others!

Popes and Passions

Pope Clement VII sent a Papal bull on 11th July, 1533
This was sent to England, to the new queen and King Henry.
The Pope declared Cranmer’s judgement null and void
By the King’s new marriage, the pope was very annoyed.

The Pope declared their child would be declared illegitimate
And there would be some news, which to Henry it would hurt.
The Pope wanted Anne sent away, or ruin he would bring
For if this continued, the Pope would excommunicate the King.

At court, there was turmoil between the King and his new Queen
Henry was argued with; Anne felt his behaviour was obscene.
Henry was used to a pregnancy as a time when he could flirt
Gallantries and seductions without a wife’s feelings being hurt.

The Queen’s ladies were as alluringly tempting as ever before
And the King’s roving eye, Katherine had always tried to ignore.
But this situation was new and the stakes were dangerously high
The possibility of Henry leaving another wife, no one could deny.

For if the King could leave one wife, he could surely leave another
Especially if Anne’s arguments caused Henry such annoying bother.
Thus King Henry’s passions, momentary fleeting or otherwise
Caught the attention of the court, this Anne ardently despised.

There were fits of jealousy which Anne did nothing to control
Also there was coldness and grumbling, which was taking its toll.
Anne was tempestuous, their arguments Henry would dread
When the long day was done, to Queen Anne, Henry once said:

“As her betters had done she must shut her eyes and endure…
… She knew he could lower her as quickly as he had raised her!”
But their rows stimulated their passion and it was a temporary pain
Soon their ‘son’ would be born, and they would be lovers again.

Due to Anne’s pregnancy Henry was so happy, the King could rejoice
The romantic side to their love was still alive, with its fervent voice.
In the ‘Book of hours’ is a devoted and loyal message to the King
From his new Queen, Anne Boleyn, whose male heir she would bring.

“By daily proof you shall me find,
To be to you both loving and kind.”

By Esther Hyams

Click here to read the next poem in the series – “Elizabeth”.