A reader recently wrote in asking me whether I knew if Anne Boleyn had adopted any other mottoes apart from “The Moost Happi” in her lifetime.
I did a little research but have to say that I didn’t come across a lot of information about Anne’s mottoes. Most of what I did find came from Eric Ives’ biography about Anne (my bible…) The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn.
In 1530, Anne briefly adopted the motto “Aisi sera groigne qui groigne” which translates to, “Let them grumble; that is how it is going to be” (Ives, Pg. 74) and had the livery coats of her servants embroidered with it.
The motto was Anne’s response to the protests about her elevated position and the King’s desire to rid himself of Queen Catherine of Aragon and place her on the throne instead.
It only lasted a few weeks as Anne more than likely realised that this response would not win her any more supporters at court but Ives states that “Chapuys’ snide explanation was that Anne had discovered the original imperialist version, Groigne qui groigne et vive Bourgoigne, but he had forgotten – and perhaps did not know of – her time in Mechelen and Brussels years before.” (Ives, Pg. 142)
Ives suggests the motto is one Anne learnt from Margaret of Austria during her time at the Hapsburg court (Pg. 141).
A portrait medal of Anne Boleyn, inscribed A.R. THE MOOST HAPPI ANNO 1534
The motto most commonly associated with Anne is that which she adopted for her coronation- “The Moost Happi” (“La Plus Heureuse”). There is no record of why she adopted this motto but it seems obvious that the King’s long awaited divorce from Catherine of Aragon, the impending birth of her ‘son’, the love and adoration of the King and her upcoming coronation, all contributed to Anne feeling like “The Moost Happi”.
I have also heard of Anne using the motto “Semper Eadem” (Always the Same) although I was not able to find any reference to this in any of my books. This was Elizabeth I’s motto during her reign.
Another motto attributed to Anne Boleyn is “Me and Mine” but apart from a reference made to it in Ives’ notes at the back of his book I have found no other information.
Please leave me a comment or contact me if you have any other information about Anne’s mottoes.
Great post. Mottos can get very confusing because many royals changed them for a specific celebration (say a joust), a birth or even a death.
You will have to do a post on why she used dolphins(?) in her emblem at one point. I think it was dolphins? My memory is going.
But it is fun to theorize why people gravitated towards different imagery.
Thanks Carlyn! Dophins, I am now intrigued! I have never heard of her using this in her emblem. More information please!!
Interesting post hun! I always thought “The Most Happy” was as you stated, Anne finally had what she wanted and a ‘son’ on the way…
My favourite of Anne’s sayings is: The Time Will Come… I Anne Boleyn – how poigant now that we look back.
Hi there, great post! I have been trying to locate sources for Anne’s motto being “la plus heureuse.” Could you tell me where you found this information?
I can’t remember where I saw it but i seem to recall: let those who grudge, grudge’ or something similar?
Hi Chloe, yes, in 1530, Anne briefly adopted the motto “Aisi sera groigne qui groigne” which translates to, “Let them grumble; that is how it is going to be” and had the livery coats of her servants embroidered with it. Natalie
What language are each motto in? I know most happy is French but what about the other two?
Ainsi sera… is French too. Semper Eadem (not one I’ve heard of before) is Latin.